Investigating the effect of breast milk and formula on the growth and development of low birth weight infants

Investigating the effect of breast milk and formula on the growth and development of low birth weight infants
Fateme Shafiee,¹ Bahare Alavi,² Zeinab Boostani,^3,*
1. Midwifery and Nursing Faculty, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad
2. Science Faculty, Islamic Azad university of Mashhad
3. Midwifery and Nursing Faculty, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad
Introduction: Breast milk or mother's milk is milk produced by mammary glands located in the breast of a human female to feed a child. Infant formula is a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age. The normal birth weight is 2,500 to 4,200 grams. If the baby weighs less than 2,500 grams after birth, the baby is called low birth weight (LBW). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of breast milk and formula on the growth and development of infants (LBW).
Methods: We searched Pubmed ,Google scholar, Cochrane, SID and ISC databases with Breast milk, Infant formula,growth , low birth weight and infants . By searching these databases, only 16 articles were found in Pubmed and 40 articles were found in Google scholar. From 56 articles with investigating title we exclude 39 articles and with reading abstract we exclude 10 articles. Finally we include 7 articles in to the our study.
Results: Exclusive breastfeeding is the safest option for infants, especially premature infants with low birth weight (LBW). Breast milk increases levels (IGA) in low birth weight infants and reduces the frequency of sepsis, gastrointestinal diseases (small intestine and large intestine), premature retinopathy, lung and intestinal infections. A study showed that formula and complementary powders caused hard stools, wheezing, diarrhea, runny nose and colds, especially in infants under 4-6 months of age, thus reducing the proper growth process in infants.
Conclusion: According to the results, exclusive breastfeeding is the best option for infants (LBW), and it is best not to use dietary supplements and formula until 4-6 months of age if there is no barrier to breastfeeding. However, more studies are needed.
Keywords: Breast milk, Infant formula, growth , Low birth weight, infants