Hi there all those in Lactnet-land!
Serveral of us have been lurking close to the computer terminal, anxiously
("Oh no, I have MORE to read???") waiting for our daily dose of Lactnets. I
am a nutritionist working with WIC in Fairbanks Alaska, and I-and 2 others
here-are Ceritfied Lactation Consultants.
The following comes out of Kathryn Dewey's studies [an interesting speaker
if you get the chance to hear her]. She was a PhD working out of The
University of California-Davis when I heard her speak 2 years ago. The
standard infant weight gain charts were developed from the Fels Longitudinal
Study which followed 867 babies from birth to 2 years in the town of Yellow
Springs, Ohio. Participants were primarily Caucasian, middle class and
bottlefed. Measurements were only taken every 3 months.
A more recent study, the DARLING study followed 40-50 infants in one of two
catagories: either breastfed at least 12 months ("other milk" intake was
less than 4 oz/day), or not breastfed more than 3 mo (used iron fortified
cow's milk formula to 12 mo). The DARLING study used full term infants with
no solid introduction before 4 mo., matched for education and social status.
Measurements were taken every month to 18 months, and then at 21 and 24
months. Results:
Weight for age: Girls had similar growth patterns from birth to 3 months
(which incidently was higher in this age group than the standard growth
charts). Breastfed girls were substancially lighter at 12 mo than their
breastfed counterparts.
Breastfed boys had a weight gain similar to formula fed boys until 6
months of age. After this time breastfed baby boys were lighter but not by
a huge amount.
Height for age: No significant difference.
Weight/height: Breastfed babies were significantly more slender at 9-24
months (formula babies were more overweight).
WHO has a Work Group (as of 2 years ago - haven't heard anything recently)
to revise infant growth charts. Their proposal was to have one growth chart
for breastfed babies and compare other babies to that standard. The United
States may choose not follow the WHO recommendations.
References from Kathryn Dewey:
Dewey, Heinig, Nommsen, Lonnerdal, Breast-fed infants are leaner than
formula-fed infants at one year of age: the DARLING study. AM J Clin Nutr
1993;57:140-145.
Heinig, Nommsen, Peerson, Lonerdal, Dewey, Energy and protein intakes of
breast-fed and formula-fed infants during the first year of life and their
association with growth velocity: the DARLING study. Am J Clin Nutr 1993
(date?).
Dewey, Heinig, Nommsen, Peerson, Lonnerdal, Growth of Breast-fed and
formula-fed infants from 0 to 18 months Pediatrics 1992;89:1036-1041.
WHO Wroking Group on Infant Growth, Nutrition Unit. An evaluation of infant
growth: the use and interpretation of anthropometry in infants. Bull WHO
1995;73:165-174.
Other references(Kathryn Dewey):
J Pediatr 1991;119:538-547.
Pediatrics 1991;87:829-837.
Early Hum Dev 1984;9:187-207.
Early Hum Dev 1989;19:223-239.
Pediatr Res 1985;19:307-312.
Doc WHO/NUT/ 94.8. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1994.
Dewey, et al, Pediatrics 1995 (?date).
Hope this helps.
Karen Lindberg, BS Nutrition, IBCLC
PS I would be interested in scientific referrences for substances in
breastmilk which reduce dental caries. Less pooling of the milk in the
mouth due to stronger suck and positioning of nipple farther back in the
mouth make sense.
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