Association between Maternal Feeding Practices and Excessive Weight Gain in Infants

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the association between maternal feeding practices and excessive weight gain in infants. METHODS: This study adopted a cross-sectional design and included 240 pairs of mothers and their infants (129 boys and 111 girls) in public healthcare centers in the Daejeon area in South Korea. Via multivariate analyses, the association between maternal feeding practices and excessive weight gain in infants was identified. RESULTS: Among 240 infants in this study, 39 (16.3%) infants gained excessive weight during 12 months after birth. Using multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for covariates, more than 7 months of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a reduced likelihood of excessive weight gain in infants during the 12 months after birth (adjusted odds ratio 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.02~0.81, p=.029). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, nurses in communities and clinics should educate mothers on the importance of longer durations of exclusive breast feeding and develop strategies for encouraging such behavior. Furthermore, support for exclusive breast feeding should be provided in various settings.