ROLE OF PROLONGED BREAST FEEDING IN INFANT GROWTH

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Abstract
The growth of 238 healthy full-term infants was followed under a carefully monitored nutritional protocol during the 1st yr of life. The infants were weaned at different ages either to a propietary infant milk formula or to a home-prepared cow''s milk formula. Solid foods were introduced at 3.5 mo. of age. The 56 infants who were breast-fed for a period of at least 6 mo. were compared to infants weaned prior to 1 mo. of age to 1 of the 2 milk regimens. In the breast-fed infants, the weight, weight-for-height-age, and skinfold thickness were similar to values in the proprietary formula-fed infants but were lower than the corresponding values in the cow''s mild-fed infants at 6 mo. of age and subsequently. By using weight-for-height-age as a criterion, no obesity was found among any of the 238 infants, and only 1.7% were considered to be overweight. Present recommendations for infant feeding in Finland, including prolonged breast feeding, the use of proprietary milk formulas after weaning, and later introduction of solid foods, prevent overnutrition.