Influence of infant feeding patterns over the first year of life on growth from birth to 5years

ObjectivesAs early-life feeding experiences may influence later health, we aimed to examine relations between feeding patterns over the first year of life and child's growth in the first 5years of life. MethodsOur analysis included 1022 children from the EDEN mother-child cohort. Three feeding patterns were previously identified, i.e. Later dairy products introduction and use of ready-prepared baby foods' (pattern-1), Long breastfeeding, later main meal food introduction and use of home-made foods' (pattern-2) and Use of ready-prepared adult foods' (pattern-3). Associations between the feeding patterns and growth [weight, height and body mass index {BMI}] were analysed by multivariable linear regressions. Anthropometric changes were assessed by the final value adjusted for the initial value. ResultsEven though infant feeding patterns were not related to anthropometric measurements at 1, 3 and 5years, high scores on pattern-1 were associated with higher 1-3years weight and height changes. High scores on pattern-2 were related to lower 0-1year weight and height changes, higher 1-5years weight and height changes but not to BMI changes, after controlling for a wide range of potential confounding variables including parental BMI. Scores on pattern-3 were not significantly related to growth. Additional adjustment for breastfeeding duration reduced the strength of the associations between pattern-2 and growth but not those between pattern-1 and height growth. ConclusionOur findings emphasize the relevance of considering infant feeding patterns including breastfeeding duration, age of complementary foods introduction as well as type of foods used when examining effects of early infant feeding practices on later health. (c) 2017 World Obesity Federation