Early Introduction Of Solid Foods Research Articles

Twinning and the changing pattern of breast-feeding: a possible relationship in a small rural population.

It was hypothesized that prolactin might be involved in the mechanism of twinning along with the pituitary hormones, namely, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), and gonadotropin hormone (GH). It is known that lactation prolactin induces a gonadotropin mediated amenorrhea. Otherwise, weaning results in low serum prolactin and high FSH and LH secretion leading to the resumption of ovulation. Variations in serum prolactin in women carriers of twin gene may have a bearing on their gonadotropin mediated twinning liability. The hypothesis was tested using data from a small rural population characterized by a shift from total breastfeeding to partial breastfeeding with an early introduction of solid foods to infants. It is reported that the changing pattern in the practice of breastfeeding in the community between 1800 and 1939 led to an increased incidence of monozygotic (MZ) twinning. This study of twin births was carried out from the data obtained through parish registries. From colonization to 1967, families were reconstructed through computer programs linking certificates of births, deaths, and marriages. Age standardized twinning rates were computed for the last 2 studied time periods by the indirect method, taking the 1800-1869 time period as reference. The overall incidence rate of twinning seems to have increased over the commonly cited rate of 1.2% for whites in the course of the 3 time periods, i.e., 1800-1869, 1870-1899, and 1900-1939. The trend was in contrast to the overall standardized twinning rates which, based on the changing fertility patterns of the population, point to an expected lowering of twin births. The classical Weinberg formula allows allocation of the twins to the MZ and dizygotic (DZ) classes. The data suggest an increase in MZ twins over time that may not be tested statistically. Yet, it may be noted that if a confidence interval of 2 standard errors about the total MZ twinning rate is taken, the 1800-1869 and 1900-1939 MZ twinning rates are nearly excluded, thus pointing to a possible increase over time. The frequency of DZ twins did not change during the time interval. Because the twinning rate is positively correlated with the population fertility pattern of this rural area, it is plausible to link twinning to fertility for biological reasons, the more so since twin bearing mothers are thought to be more fecund. It is possible that lactation prolactin, because of its relation to FSH and LH secretion, may be the missing link in the hormonal diathesis.

Letters to the Editors

We want to respond to two of the issues raised in Dr Blackman's letter. The first is that the early introduction of solid foods would have prevented the occurrence of dietary chloride deficiency in the infants ingesting chloride-deficient Neo-Mull-Soy. The Table shows the age at which solid foods were introduced into the diet of 11 of the 12 infants described in our paper.1 Solid foods were introduced into the diets of seven of 11 of the infants prior to 5 months of age.

Diets in the first six months of infants in western Massachusetts II. Semi-solid foods

The early introduction of solid foods was observed in three ethnic and income groups in a survey of 268 infants in western Massachusetts. By four weeks of age, cereal had been introduced into the diets of 57 per cent and fruit to 32 per cent of the infants. Patterns of introducing and feeding solid foods to breast-and formula-fed infants were similar and were related more to income than to type of milk fed. The cost of infant feeding can draw heavily on the family's food budget.

Factors influencing breast feeding.

A survey is reported of infant feeding practice at the time of discharge from a single maternity ward. It is shown that a change in the attitude of nursing staff increased the number of mothers breast feeding their infants and eliminated the practice of giving the infants formula feed complements. This change in attitude, however, did nothing to prevent the rapid decline in lactation after leaving hospital, such that 50% of mothers discharged breast feeding were no longer doing so by 2 months. The early introduction of solid feeds was common practice, 50% of mothers discharged breast feeding having introduced mixed feeds within 2 months. Successful lactation was found to be commoner in those mothers who had themselves been breast fed in infancy and in mothers from socioeconomic classes I and II. Successful lactation was not related to parity. The survey also shows the influential role of the health visitor, district nurse, and midwife upon mothers' decisions about infant feeding.

Early Introduction of Solid Foods

In a recent issue of Pediatrics, Helen A. Guthrie suggested that the current practice of early introduction of solid foods to the infant's diet might be undesirable. Some comments regarding the data and conclusions presented appear to be in order. The data presented in Table II imply that an infant's iron requirement is 4 mg per day. Calculations based on iron stores at birth and iron requirement for normal hemoglobin concentration at 1 year of age suggest that the requirement is actually 8 mg per day.

EFFECT OF EARLY FEEDING OF SOLID FOODS ON NUTRITIVE INTAKE OF INFANTS

The early introduction of solid foods to the diet of bottle-fed infants living in a college town causes some significant changes in the nutritive content of the diet but does not increase the adequacy of the diet before 3 months as evaluated by allowances recommended for infants by the National Research Council. Diets containing solid foods provide significantly more iron and thiamine, two of the nutrients used to enrich infant cereal products. Most of the infants were receiving nutritional supplements of vitamin A and D in spite of the fact that their diets were adequate in these nutrients. The need for a supplement of ascorbic acid was evident for some infants. The feeding of solid foods apparently had no effect on the sleeping pattern of the infants as evidenced by the number of feedings, nor did it increase the cost of the food itself. It did, however, increase the time and effort involved for the mother. Since there was no increase in the caloric content of the diet, the solid foods must have replaced milk rather then to have supplemented it, a fact confirmed by the observations of many mothers. At least 10% of the infants experienced some form of allergic reaction to solid foods. All of the infants in the study had been introduced to solid foods by 9 weeks, 2 to 4 weeks prior to the age at which the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that there is a rational basis from a nutritional and developmental point of view to begin supplementing the diet. Although there was no evidence of adverse reactions other then allergies to the pattern of early feeding observed in this group, there was no evidence to indicate that the infant benefitted from a nutritional standpoint. Lack of evidence of benefits and an accumulating body of information on hazards from the early introduction of solid foods suggest a re-examination of current emphasis on the early supplementation of the milk diet in infants.

Underfeeding in infants: a plea for early introduction of solid foods.

Underfeeding in infants: a plea for early introduction of solid foods.