Breastfeeding and Responsive Parenting as Predictors of Infant Weight Change in the First Year. (16th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hails, Katherine A; Whipps, Mackenzie D M; Gross, Rachel S; Bogen, Debra L; Morris, Pamela A; Mendelsohn, Alan L; Shaw, Daniel S
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric psychology. Volume 46:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 768
• Page End: 778
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16
• Subjects: health promotion and prevention -- infancy and early childhood -- obesity and weight management -- parenting; Clinical child psychology -- Periodicals; 618.9289005
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsab049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-8693

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To test breastfeeding duration and responsive parenting as independent predictors of infant weight change from birth to 12 months, and to test the moderating effect of a tiered parenting intervention on relations between breastfeeding and responsive parenting in relation to infant weight change. Methods: Mother–infant dyads ( N = 403) were participants in the ongoing Smart Beginnings (SB) randomized controlled trial testing the impact of the tiered SB parenting model that incorporates two evidence-based interventions: Video Interaction Project (VIP) and Family Check-Up (FCU). The sample was low income and predominantly Black and Latinx. Responsive parenting variables (maternal sensitivity and intrusiveness) came from coded observations of mother–infant interactions when infants were 6 months. Continuous weight-for-age (WFA) z -score change and infant rapid weight gain (RWG) from 0 to 12 months were both assessed. Results: Longer breastfeeding duration was significantly associated with less WFA z- score change. The relationship between breastfeeding duration and WFA z- score change was significant only for infants in the intervention group. Intrusive parenting behaviors were also associated with greater WFA z- score change after accounting for breastfeeding duration. Conclusions: This study is one of the first to test both breastfeeding and parenting in relation to infant weight gain in the first year. Findings may have implications for family-focused child obesity prevention programs.