Systematic review concerning the age of introduction of complementary foods to the healthy full-term infant

Lanigan, JA; Bishop, J A; Kimber, A. C.; Morgan, Jane

doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601168

Cited by 98 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The evidence base for many infant-feeding recommendations is currently limited (Michaelsen et al 2000;Lanigan et al 2001;Kramer & Kakuma, 2002). For example, a review on the possible adequacy of breast milk to meet energy and nutrient requirements up to the age of 6 months noted a lack of published evidence on infant energy intake with which to address this question and called for further research (Butte et al 2002).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We were also aware that many implicit but important assumptions (about breast-milk transfer, metabolisability and energy content, for example) have commonly been made in the literature, and these assumptions have been repeated and widely used in infant-feeding recommendations. The assumptions have not generally been formally tested, and it is widely recognised that more evidencebased approaches to the issue would be helpful (Michaelsen et al 2000;Lanigan et al 2001;Kramer & Kakuma, 2002).Before embarking on a new research project on energy balance in infancy, we had the opportunity to test the evidence base on critical energy-balance variables by conducting a systematic review of studies on exclusively breast-fed infants over the period when complementary feeding is usually introduced. 'Exclusive breast-feeding' is defined in WHO terms as feeding exclusively with breast milk (World Health Organization, 1995), with no other liquids or solids.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3–6 months from the developed world: a systematic review

2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The present study aimed to evaluate evidence on metabolisable energy consumption and pattern of consumption with age in infants in the developed world who were exclusively breast-fed, at around the time of introducing complementary feeding. We carried out a systematic review aimed at answering three questions: how much milk is transferred from mother to infant?; does transfer increase with the age of the infant?; and what is the metabolisable energy content of breast milk? Thirty-three eligible studies of 1041 mother-infant pairs reported transfer at 3-4 months of age, the weighted mean transfer being 779 (SD 40) g/d. Six studies (99 pairs) measured transfer at 5 months, with a weighted mean transfer of 827 (SD 39) g/d. Five studies (72 pairs) measured milk transfer at 6 months, reporting a weighted mean transfer of 894 (SD 87) g/d. Nine longitudinal studies reported no significant increases in milk transfer after 2-4 months. Twenty-five studies on breast-milk energy content were based on 777 mother-infant pairs. The weighted mean metabolisable energy content was 2·6 (SD 0·2) kJ/g. Breast-milk metabolisable energy content is probably lower, and breast-milk transfer slightly higher, than is usually assumed. Longitudinal studies do not support the hypothesis that breast-milk transfer increases markedly with age. More research on energy intake in 5-6-month-old exclusively breast-fed infants is necessary, and information on the metabolisability of breast milk in mid-infancy is desirable. This evidence should inform future recommendations on infant feeding and help to identify research needs in infant energy balance. Infant nutrition: Breast feeding: Complementary feeding: Energy metabolismThe evidence base for many infant-feeding recommendations is currently limited (Michaelsen et al. 2000;Lanigan et al. 2001;Kramer & Kakuma, 2002). For example, a review on the possible adequacy of breast milk to meet energy and nutrient requirements up to the age of 6 months noted a lack of published evidence on infant energy intake with which to address this question and called for further research (Butte et al. 2002). We were also aware that many implicit but important assumptions (about breast-milk transfer, metabolisability and energy content, for example) have commonly been made in the literature, and these assumptions have been repeated and widely used in infant-feeding recommendations. The assumptions have not generally been formally tested, and it is widely recognised that more evidencebased approaches to the issue would be helpful (Michaelsen et al. 2000;Lanigan et al. 2001;Kramer & Kakuma, 2002).Before embarking on a new research project on energy balance in infancy, we had the opportunity to test the evidence base on critical energy-balance variables by conducting a systematic review of studies on exclusively breast-fed infants over the period when complementary feeding is usually introduced. 'Exclusive breast-feeding' is defined in WHO terms as feeding exclusively with breast milk (World Health Organization, 1995), wit...

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3–6 months from the developed world: a systematic review

2005

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The introduction of solid foods to complement human milk or infant formula or both (ie the weaning process), is recognised as one of the most crucial dietary events in an infant's life (Lanigan et al, 2001). If the process is begun too early this may cause development of allergic disease or obesity, while if there is a delay, this may induce failure to thrive or iron-deficiency anaemia (DoH, 1994;Wilson et al, 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors affecting the introduction of complementary foods in the preterm infant

et al. 2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify current infant feeding practices among carers of preterm infants. Design: Structured interviews on milk and complementary feeding practices were conducted with mothers of preterm infants at intervals until infants were 12 months corrected age. Setting: Recruitment took place in three local Surrey hospitals over a 2 y period. Subjects: Two-hundred and fifty-three preterm infants (139 male, 114 female) including 33 sets of twins and three sets of triplets were recruited. Results: Forty-nine percent of the preterm infant group received first solid foods (the commencement of 'weaning') before the current Department of Health (DoH) guideline. The mean AE s.e.m. weaning age from birth was 17.1 AE 0.23 weeks. Ninety-five percent of the infants were weaned before the DoH guideline when the data was examined from term (mean 11.5 AE s.e.m. 0.21 weeks). Twenty-one percent were weaned before the DoH guideline for preterm infants which is that 'the infant weighs at least 5 kg' (mean 5.61 AE s.e.m. 0.01 kg). Human milk-fed infants were significantly lighter at weaning than combined milk-fed infants (5.32 AE 0.12 vs 5.72 AE 0.01 kg; P < 0.05) even though they were weaned at a similar age. Infant formula-fed infants (mean weaning age from term 10.2 AE 0.47 weeks) were weaned significantly earlier than both human milk-fed (11.9 AE 0.49 weeks; P < 0.05) and combined milk-fed (11.9 AE 0.25 weeks; P < 0.005) infants. Conclusions: The introduction of complementary foods varied widely between carers of preterm infants and compliance with DoH guidelines was poor. Further studies on preterm infants are necessary to see if weaning practices affect long-term growth and morbidity and to provide a basis for the development of appropriate recommendations. Sponsorship: This work was funded by the MAFF Food Intolerance Programme. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2002 Keywords: preterm infants; introduction of complementary foods; milk feeding Introduction About 5% of babies born in the UK are preterm and the number surviving is increasing as technology advances, as is apparent from the results of a survey in the north of England (Tin et al, 1997). The classification 'preterm' includes all infants born before 37 weeks gestation and does not take into account birth weight. This results in a very heterogeneous population.Guidelines on the introduction of complementary foods for infants are stated in the Department of Health (DoH, 1994) report, Weaning and the weaning diet. However, as little information exists on complementary feeding of preterm infants, guidelines for the introduction of foods other than human milk or infant formula in this group are less detailed and giving advice may present difficulties.The introduction of solid foods to complement human milk or infant formula or both (ie the weaning process), is recognised as one of the most crucial dietary events in an infant's life (Lanigan et al, 2001). If the process is begun too early this may cause development of allergic disease...

show abstract

“…However, there have been questions as to whether these recommendations apply to developed countries where the risks from episodes of gastroenteritis are minimal [43,49,53] and whether infants who are weaned before six months are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies [43,63]. There are no reported disadvantages in beginning to wean infants onto solid foods between four and six months in developed countries [27].…”

Section: Timing Of Weaningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supplementation of Infant Formula with Probiotics, Prebiotics, DHA & ARA: A Systematic Review

Tambakhe¹

2014

JFNS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:There are recommendations to guide parents to help their infants make the transition from milk to weaning foods, but they differ in their focus in developed or developing countries and on the physiological and behavioral reasons that underlie the introduction of weaning foods. According to recommendations, ideally, term infants should begin weaning at six months, while breastfeeding should continue for two years. The recommendations on nutrients in complementary foods are based on the nutrient gap between the composition and volume of breast milk after approximately six months of exclusive breastfeeding and the physiology of infant nutritional requirements. Gastrointestinal flora influences health, but the composition of flora can be changed with prebiotics or probiotics. The addition of probiotics to powdered infant formula has not been demonstrated to be harmful to healthy term infants. ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition reviews the effect of adding probiotic bacteria to infant formulas, follow-on formulas and special medical foods. The administration of probiotic (single or in combination) supplementation in infant or follow-on formula, and given beyond early infancy, may be associated with some clinical benefits, such as a reduction in the risk of nonspecific gastrointestinal infections, a reduced risk of antibiotic use and a lower frequency of colic and irritability. The addition of prebiotics to infant formula softens stools but other putative effects remain to be demonstrated. Studies published post marketing shows that infant fed a longchain inulin/galactooligosaccharide mixture (0.8 g/dl) in formula normally have no side -effects. The addition of same mixture at a concentration of 0.8 g/dl to infant formula was therefore recognized as safe by European Commission in 2001 but follow -up studies were recommended. It is thought that a bifidogenic effect is beneficial for the infant host. The rising incidence in allergy during the first year of life may justify the attempts to modulate the infant's formula. In addition to prebiotic and probiotic, DHA and ARA are important for brain and eye development. Many researchers have demonstrated the role of DHA and ARA in infant health and development.

show abstract

Systematic review concerning the age of introduction of complementary foods to the healthy full-term infant

Cited by 98 publications

References 23 publications

Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3–6 months from the developed world: a systematic review

Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3–6 months from the developed world: a systematic review

Factors affecting the introduction of complementary foods in the preterm infant

Supplementation of Infant Formula with Probiotics, Prebiotics, DHA & ARA: A Systematic Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About