Breast milk and energy intake in exclusively, predominantly, and partially breast-fed infants

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the extent to which breast milk is replaced by intake of other liquids or foods, and to estimate energy intake of infants defined as exclusively (EBF), predominantly (PBF) and partially breast-fed (PartBF). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Community-based study in urban Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Subjects: A total of 70 infants aged 4 months recruited at birth. Main outcome measures: Breast milk intake measured using a 'dose-to-the-mother' deuterium-oxide turnover method; feeding pattern and macronutrient intake assessed using a frequency questionnaire. Results: Adjusted mean breast milk intakes were not different between EBF and PBF (EBF, 806 g/day vs PBF, 778 g/day, P ¼ 0.59). The difference between EBF and PartBF was significant (PartBF, 603 g/day, P ¼ 0.004). Mean intakes of water from supplements were 10 g/day (EBF), 134 g/day (PBF) and 395 g/day (PartBF). Compared to EBF these differences were significant (EBF vs PBF, P ¼ 0.005; EBF vs PartBF, Po0.001). The energy intake of infants receiving cow or formula milk (BF þ CM/FM) in addition to breast milk tended to be 20% higher than the energy intake of EBF infants (EBF, 347 kJ/kg/day vs BF þ CM/FM, 418 kJ/kg/day, P ¼ 0.11). Conclusions: There was no evidence that breast milk was replaced by water, tea or juice in PBF compared to EBF infants. The energy intake in BF þ CM/FM infants tended to be 20% above the latest recommendations (1996) for breast-fed and 9% above those for formula-fed infants. If high intakes are maintained, this may result in obesity later in life. Sponsorship: International Atomic Energy Agency through RC 10981/R1.

Field and laboratory methods in human milk research

“…The cost of analyzing samples is considerable-often several hundred dollars per participant. In addition, doubly labeled water may also under-or over-estimate intake, with ranges (15% over to 5% under) similar to those seen in test weighing protocols (Haisma et al, 2003;Reilly et al, 2005;Scanlon et al, 2002;Wells et al, 1996).…”

Dietary Recommendations for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Practitioners

“…102 Rapid weight gain during the first 4 to 6 months of life is associated with future risk of overweight 103,106 ; studies suggest that partially breastfed and formula-fed infants consume 20% more total calories per day than do exclusively breastfed infants. 104,105 Physicians should identify infants who are gaining weight rapidly and/or whose weight-to-length percentile exceeds the 95th percentile to help correct overfeeding if present.…”

Use of stable-isotope techniques to validate infant feeding practices reported by Bangladeshi women receiving breastfeeding counseling

“…The intakes of breast milk and of water from nonbreast-milk sources were calculated by fitting the isotopic (tracer) data to a model for water (tracee) turnover in the mothers and infants and measuring the transfer of milk from mother to the infant, as described elsewhere (10).…”