Aim:

Breastfeeding ensures ideal physical, intellectual and behavioral development of infants, and also protects them against infections and chronic diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of feeding patterns on physical growth and mental development of infants in the first 6 months of life.

Methods:

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed medical files of infants aged between 0 and 6 months who were referred to a provincial family health center. According to their feeding patterns, they were divided into 3 groups as only breastfed group (group AS, n=63), only formula-fed group (group FM, n=30), and the group of infants fed with both breast milk, and baby formulas (group AF, n=63). Weight, height and head circumferences of the infants were measured at birth, and at postnatal months 1., 2., 3., 4., and 6. and were evaluated for each group.

Results:

Normal birth rate was higher in the breastfed group (41.3%) when compared with the formula-fed babies (31.6%). During 6 weeks of the follow-up period, statistically significant increases were detected in body weights of the infants fed only with breast milk at months 1., 2. and 3., in body heights at month 2, and in head circumferences at months 1., 2. and 3. (p<0.05). The increase in body height in the infants fed both with breast milk and baby formulas was higher at months 4, and 6 than those in the other groups.

Conclusion:

Breast-fed babies grow faster than formula-fed babies within the first months of life, but later on, their growth rates slow down. However, they grow up with a healthier life and mental capabilities as well as being protected from deleterious effects of obesity.

Keywords: Breast milk, formula milk, nutrition, growth, infant