Juhee Kim1, Karen E Peterson. 1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 S 4th St, 213 Huff Hall, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. juheekim@uiuc.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether child care arrangements influence infant feeding practices and weight gain among US infants. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected by the US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. SETTING: A nationally representative sample of infants enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort at baseline. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 8150 infants aged 9 months. MAIN EXPOSURES: Age (in months) at initiation and type and intensity of child care. OUTCOME MEASURES: Breastfeeding initiation, early introduction of solid foods (<4 months), and weight gain (birth to 9 months). RESULTS: A total of 55.3% of infants received regular, nonparental child care and half of these infants were in full-time child care. Among infants in child care, 40.3% began at younger than 3 months, 39.3% began between 3 and 5.9 months of age, and 20.7% began at 6 months or older. Infants who initiated child care at younger than 3 months were less likely to have been breastfed (odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.74) and were more likely to have received early introduction of solid foods (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.43-2.04) than those in parental care. Infants in part-time child care gained 175 g (95% CI, 100-250 g) more weight during 9 months than those in parental care. Infants being cared for by relatives had a lower rate of breastfeeding initiation, a higher rate of early introduction of solid foods, and greater weight gain compared with infants receiving parental care. The early introduction of solid foods was a risk factor for weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Child care factors were associated with unfavorable infant feeding practices and more weight gain during the first year of life in a nationally representative cohort. The effects of early child care on breastfeeding and introduction of solid foods warrant longer follow-up to determine subsequent risk of childhood overweight.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether child care arrangements influence infant feeding practices and weight gain among US infants. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected by the US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. SETTING: A nationally representative sample of infants enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort at baseline. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 8150 infants aged 9 months. MAIN EXPOSURES: Age (in months) at initiation and type and intensity of child care. OUTCOME MEASURES: Breastfeeding initiation, early introduction of solid foods (<4 months), and weight gain (birth to 9 months). RESULTS: A total of 55.3% of infants received regular, nonparental child care and half of these infants were in full-time child care. Among infants in child care, 40.3% began at younger than 3 months, 39.3% began between 3 and 5.9 months of age, and 20.7% began at 6 months or older. Infants who initiated child care at younger than 3 months were less likely to have been breastfed (odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.74) and were more likely to have received early introduction of solid foods (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.43-2.04) than those in parental care. Infants in part-time child care gained 175 g (95% CI, 100-250 g) more weight during 9 months than those in parental care. Infants being cared for by relatives had a lower rate of breastfeeding initiation, a higher rate of early introduction of solid foods, and greater weight gain compared with infants receiving parental care. The early introduction of solid foods was a risk factor for weight gain. CONCLUSIONS:Child care factors were associated with unfavorable infant feeding practices and more weight gain during the first year of life in a nationally representative cohort. The effects of early child care on breastfeeding and introduction of solid foods warrant longer follow-up to determine subsequent risk of childhood overweight.
Authors: Sara E Benjamin-Neelon; Edwin Iversen; Shayna M Clancy; Cathrine Hoyo; Gary G Bennett; Richard M Kravitz; Truls Østbye Journal: Child Obes Date: 2019-10-16 Impact factor: 2.992
Authors: Goiuri Alberdi; Aoife E McNamara; Karen L Lindsay; Helena A Scully; Mary H Horan; Eileen R Gibney; Fionnuala M McAuliffe Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2016-09-08 Impact factor: 3.183
Authors: Sara E Benjamin; Elsie M Taveras; Angie L Cradock; Elizabeth M Walker; Meghan M Slining; Matthew W Gillman Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 7.124