Continuation of breastfeeding, irregular feeding practice, and eating behavior in infants over 18 months of age

Abstract

　This study examined the appropriate feeding practices of breast milk whose intake is unknown and its relationship to enhancing solid food intake, which is essential for the growth and development of breastfeeding infants and to childcare support. It is based on a questionnaire survey of 581 guardians who took 18-month-old infants for dental examination. Of the 555 valid responses, we analyzed the responses of 270 guardians whose infants were on breast milk. We found a significant relationship between continuation of breast milk and feeding practice: 43.0% in the "regular breastfeeding group” and 57.0% in the "irregular breastfeeding group.” The former had a significantly higher number of infants who graduated from breast milk, and the latter had a significantly higher number of continuing infants on breast milk. In the "regular breastfeeding group,” regular feeding formed hungry patterns, which consequently increased solid food intake, and naturally led to the end of breast milk. However, no significant association was found between infant anthropometric measurements and continuation of breast milk and regularity of feeding practice. Therefore, it was inferred that there was no difference in energy intake. Hence, it was suggested that the "irregular breastfeeding group,” which had a significantly higher number of breastfeeding infants than the "regular breastfeeding group” was supposed to breastfeed other than stay on an empty stomach, which was a cause of small meals. In the "irregular breastfeeding group,” concerns regarding the feeding behavior of the guardians’ infants, which were presumed to be related to small meals, were significantly higher. In addition, it was speculated that if the eating experience was small due to small meals, it was related to the eating behavior after weaning. Therefore, avoiding irregular breastfeeding can reduce anxiety regarding the infant’s feeding behavior among guardians.

　Based on the above, it is necessary to support regular breastfeeding in order to continue to breastfeed after weaning or to naturally terminate breast milk while promoting the intake of solid foods that are not sufficient for breast milk alone.