(P18-037-23) Demographic and Maternal Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Prevalence and Growth in Colorado Infants

Objectives: To identify maternal and demographic factors associated with infant growth and feeding practices in Denver, CO.

Methods: 98 healthy, 5-month-old full-term infants, breastfed (BF), formula-fed (FF) and mixed-fed (MF) were recruited from the Denver, CO metro area to participate in a longitudinal randomized controlled feeding trial. For the present analyses, participants’ characteristics at baseline (5 months of age) are reported. Demographic and maternal information was obtained from caregivers of participants at baseline study visit, including maternal BMI, parity, and race, along with infant anthropometry and mode of feeding data.

Results: Weight-for-age z-score [WAZ], length-for-age z-score [LAZ], and weight-for-length z-score [WLZ] at baseline averaged -0.68 + 0.10, -0.88 + 0.10, and -0.06 + 0.09, respectively, for all infants. When grouped by maternal BMI, WLZ in healthy weight and overweight groups were significantly different than the obese group (p=0.03) [healthy -0.12 + 0.11, overweight -0.20 + 0.16, obese 0.64 + 0.27]. When grouped by mode of feeding, significant differences were observed in WLZ (p=0.04) [BF -0.08 + 0.13, FF 0.34 + 0.19, MF -0.36 + 0.15] and WAZ (p=0.04) [BF -0.08 + 0.13, FF 0.34 + 0.19, MF -0.36 + 0.15] between MF and FF infants; when controlled for maternal BMI, this association is confounded. No statistical differences were observed in LAZ. Mothers with a healthy BMI vs those with overweight/obesity had significantly higher prevalence of exclusive BF (EBF) (p=0.002) [66% v 35%]. Mothers identifying as white reported higher prevalence of EBF (59%) than Asian (45%) and black/African American (43%) mothers (p=0.07). Prevalence of EBF was slightly higher in multiparous mothers (59%) than primiparous (56%) mothers (p=0.64).

Conclusions: In this sample, exclusive breastfeeding was significantly higher among mothers with a healthy weight range BMI; higher EBF prevalence, though not significant, was observed among multiparous mothers and those who identify as white. Infant growth was significantly associated with maternal BMI and mode of feeding. Continuing research into factors influencing infant growth and feeding practices should be considered to further evaluate these relationships.

Funding Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Mead Johnson Nutrition