Breast Versus Bottle Study

Breast Versus Bottle Study

The objective of the proposed research is to conduct a within-subject experimental study that will assess the effect of feeding mode (breast- versus bottle-feeding) on the quality and outcome of infant feeding interactions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Mothers 18-40 years of age
• Infants 0-24 weeks of age
• Infants who have not yet been introduced to complementary foods and beverages
• Dyads are breast- and bottle-feeding
• Mother is predominantly or solely responsible for infant feeding

Exclusion Criteria:

• preterm birth (i.e., gestational age <37 weeks)
• low birth weight (<2500 g)
• maternal smoking during pregnancy
• current or past medical conditions that interfere with oral feeding
• history of slow growth or failure to thrive
• weight for length percentile <5th
• diagnosed developmental delay (e.g., Down's syndrome)