الفهرس 
INTRODUCTION
Growth of infantsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
In the first months of life, breast feeding is the most important feeding method which has value, both immunologically and psychologically, in addition to providing adequate nutrition. (20) Breastfeeding is important to the child, the mother, their family and society in general. (54, 160, 161) Despite the advantages of breast-feeding, it is debatable whether post-partum weight loss is among them. The literature documents a highly variable range of maternal weight change with breastfeeding. (5, 102) Regarding the effect of breast feeding on infant growth, many studies have shown differences in the growth pattern of breast-fed and bottle-fed infants. (17-22)
The current study aimed to determine the weight changes of the mother and growth of the infant during the first 6 months of infant’s life and their relation to different types of breast-feeding.
Regarding the maternal weight changes and breastfeeding, the current study showed no significant correlation between maternal weight changes and different types of feeding practices at different periods of follow-up. The percent of weight change of mother at 2 months ranged between -23.6 to 15%, -13.51 to 20.97%, 13.33 to 20.69% for exclusive, predominant and complementary feeding respectively. The median decrease in mother’s weight in the second month was higher in predominant, then exclusive and lastly complementary breast feeding. However, this was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05, Kruskal –Wallis test).
At 4 months, the percent of weight change of the mother ranged between -14.29 to 29.41%, -12.5 to 6.67%, -8.45 to 10%, -14.55 to -5.88% for exclusive, predominant, complementary and bottle feeding respectively. The highest median decrease in mother’s weight was in bottle then complementary then exclusive and last in predominant feeding. At 6 months, the percent of weight change of mother ranged between -18.67 to 12.5%, -13.33 to 4.0%, -22.73 to 7.69%, -1.33 to 2.33% for exclusive, predominant, complementary and bottle feeding respectively. There was increase in mother weight in bottle feeding, decrease in predominant, and no change in exclusive and complementary breast feeding. Still, these changes were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05, Kruskal –Wallis test).
There was statistically significant difference between the antenatal weight of the mother and the percent of weight change of the mother at 6 months. Larger antenatal weight of the mother was associated with higher percent of maternal weight loss at 6 months. There was statistical significant difference between the start of breast feeding and percent of weight change of the mother at 2 months. Earlier start of breast feeding was associated with higher percent of maternal weight loss. The percent of weight decrease of mother at 4 months was higher among working mothers than housewives. This was statistically significant (P=0.049).
The rate of growth of infants was assessed in the 4 groups of exclusive, predominant, complementary breast feeding and bottle feeding, at 2, 4 and 6 months of infant’s age. As regards the percent of height increase of infants at 2 months, the median increase in infant’s height was higher in predominant, then complementary and last exclusive breast feeding, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05, Kruskal –Wallis test). There was no bottle feeding group at 2 months, which may explain why our results are different from other similar studies at that age.
At 4 months of age, no significant difference could be seen regarding the growth rate in the 4 groups. However, at 6 months, the median of weight increase of infants at 6 months was higher in bottle followed by complementary then exclusive and lastly predominant breast feeding. This was statistically significant (p < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test).
The percent of weight and height increase of infant at 4 month is higher in diarrhea than no disease and upper respiratory tract infection. There was no statistically significant correlation between these parameters (p= 0.6 and 0.8 respectively). The percent of weight and height increase of infant at 6 month is higher in upper respiratory tract infection than in no disease and diarrhea (p= 1.53 and 1.55 respectively). There was no statistically significant relation between these parameters.
from the results of the present study, it could be concluded that: Earlier start of breast feeding and larger antenatal weight of the mother are associated with higher percent of post-partum maternal weight loss. Otherwise, there is no significant correlation between the type of infant feeding and the post-partum maternal weight changes. The percent of weight decrease of mother at 4 months was higher among working mothers. Bottle fed infants tend to gain weight at 6 months more than complementary then exclusive and lastly predominant breast feeding. The median increase in infant’s height at 2 months was higher in predominant, then complementary and last exclusive breast feeding,
from the results of the present study, we can recommend that: Breast feeding should be performed due to its various benefits, in addition to its association with higher percent of post-partum maternal weight loss, if started early. Exclusive breast feeding should be performed in the first 6 months of life for proper growth of the infant. Introduction of complementary food should be done after 6 months. Bottle feeding should be avoided as possible to avoid excessive infant weight gain.