Effect of Mode of Feeding on Infant Weight Gain during First Six Months of Life

Abstract

Breastfeeding is the single most important natural source of feeding for an infant. It confers unique nutritional and non nutritional benefits to the infant and the mother and, in turn, optimizes infant, child, and adult health as well as child growth and development. Despite its many benefits and universal promotion, rates of successful breastfeeding remain low in many populations. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mode of feeding on infant weight gain during first 6 months of life. A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out using interviewer administered questionnaire. Available information on Child Health Developmental Records (CHDR) and Pregnancy charts also used. Three hundred and fifty mater- nal-infant units who participated for the child welfare clinics at Gangawatakoralaya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area, Kandy, Sri Lanka, were included in the study. The findings showed that mean weight gain of the breast milk plus water fed infants was significantly higher than the exclusive breast fed infants in second month (p = 0.017) and third month (p = 0.043) and there was a significant difference in total weight gain of infants in exclusive breast feeding group and breast feeding plus water group (p=0.0028). It is concluded based on the study that water plus breast milk fed infants showed higher total weight gain during first six months of life compared to exclusive breast fed infants.