2019 Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 223-237
For evidence-based nutrition counseling, we conducted a systematic review of published literature pertaining to the relationship between breast- or bottle feeding, nutrient intake, and physical development. We searched peer-reviewed research papers published between 1980 and 2018 within five literature databases. The two authors independently examined the titles, abstracts, and texts, extracting 17 papers that met inclusion criteria. After that, we manually searched references cited in the adopted articles. We found that for breastfed infants, iron and vitamin D intake should be encouraged beginning early in weaning. For the infants aged one year and older, intake of nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin C should be encouraged, regardless of feeding method. Although breastfed infants tended to be smaller, there were no significant differences in BMI or overweight status related to feeding method. Physical development is not delayed in breast-fed infants compared to the bottle-fed infants, with differences potentially attributable to between-individual variations and infant formula ingredients.
