An Experimental Approach to Study Individual Differences in Infants' Intake and Satiation Behaviors during Bottle Feeding.
BACKGROUND As a group, bottle fed infants are at higher risk for rapid weight gain compared with breast fed infants. However, little is known about individual differences in feeding behaviors of bottle feeding infants, as well as maternal and infant characteristics associated with bottle feeding outcomes. METHODS We conducted a 2 day, within subject study of 21 formula feeding dyads; the within subject factor was feeding condition: mother led (ML; mothers were given the instruction to feed their infants as they typically would) vs. infant led (IL; the experimenter ensured feeding began when infants signaled hunger and ended when they rejected the bottle on three consecutive occasions) Intake was determined by bottle weight; feedings were video recorded and later analyzed to determine feeding duration and types of satiation behaviors displayed. Percent difference scores were calculated for each outcome as (ML IL)/IL) x 100] to standardize differences among dyads. Mothers completed questionnaires of feeding styles and infant temperament. RESULTS On average, infants consumed ~42% more formula during the ML than IL condition (p 0.03) However, notable variation existed in difference scores for intake (range 52.8% to 268.9% higher scores reflect greater intake during ML than IL) Stepwise regression illustrated that greater intakes during the ML condition were predicted by the combination of: (1) higher infant age; (2) lower levels of infant rhythmicity and adaptability; (3) higher levels of infant positive mood; and (4) lower levels of maternal restrictive and responsive feeding styles. CONCLUSIONS This objective, experimental approach illustrated that variation in bottle feeding outcomes is associated with characteristics of both members of the dyad.
Childhood obesity