Consistency in infants' behavioural signalling of satiation during bottle‐feeding
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Understanding the dynamics of feeding is essential for preventing accelerated weight gain during infancy, a risk factor for obesity. OBJECTIVES: Because infants satiate on larger volumes of cow milk formula (CMF) than CMF enriched with the free amino acid glutamate (CMF + glu), we used this model system to determine whether infants displayed consistent behaviours despite satiating on lower volumes. METHODS: In this laboratory-based, within-subject experimental study of ≤4-month-old infants (n = 41) and their mothers, infants were videotaped while feeding to satiation CMF on one test day and CMF + glu on the other, in counterbalanced order. Each video-recording was analysed frame-by-frame for frequency and timing of behaviours. RESULTS: Infants' behaviours were consistent in types and frequency but were displayed sooner when feeding CMF + glu compared with CMF. The less responsive the mother's feeding style, the less consistent the infant displayed behaviours across the two formula meals (P = 0.05). Infants who spat up (a possible sign of overfeeding) consumed more formula (P = 0.01) and had less responsive mothers (P = 0.04) compared with the other infants. CONCLUSIONS: Infants are consistent in their behavioural displays during feeding at this developmental age. Regulation of intake and signalling of satiation during bottle-feeding are associated with formula composition and maternal feeding style.
Source: Pediatric Obesity
DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.250
Authors: A. K. Ventura, L. B. Inamdar, J. A. Mennella
Institutions: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Drexel University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1578600259