Research
Feeding practices among children attending child welfare clinics in Ragama MOH area: a descriptive cross-sectional study
International Breastfeeding Journal 2011, 6:18 doi:10.1186/1746-4358-6-18
Overnight feeding and too freequent feeding
priyantha perera (2012-06-12 09:54) University of Kelaniya
Thanks for your comments,
Of course infants need to be fed at night because they will wake up with hunger during
the night. However once teeth have erupted overnight feeding can increase the risk
of dental caries. Therefore overnight feeding is discouraged in older children after
eruption of teeth.
Breast feeding on demand during early infancy is the recommended method of feeding.
How ever if breast feeding is continued throughout the day in an older child it will
definite interfear with taking solids. In this study we were discussing breast feeding
throughout the day among children above 2 years. Recommendation in these children
is only to breast feed after main meals.
I hop I have clarified the doubt. Thanks again for your comment
Competing interests
There are no competing interests.
Querying conclusions
Kasia Williams (2012-01-03 22:35) Hillingdon Hospital
This is an interesting article that provides an introductory overview of feeding practices. I am a little concerned about the areas noted requiring 'immediate intervention'. In particular, "too frequent breastfeeding and overnight feeding of older children". Many children will require feeding overnight until they are developmentally ready to have unbroken sleep. Feeding is also a matter of psychological and emotional development and provides a source of comfort and bond in addition to other health benefits. The concern about feeding too frequently is also puzzling as there is no identifiable 'maximum' number of feeds and a mother and child should feed as often as they need to or wish to. Again, breastfeeding is also for psychological and emotional development. I would be interested to hear if there is any evidence to back up the author's concerns on these two issues.
Competing interests
None declared
Evidence
Linda Kvist (2012-08-10 10:55) Faculty of medicine, Lund University, Sweden
The question of risk of dental caries in children who continue to suckle at the breast after teeth have appeared comes up now and again. I would also be very interested to know what the evidence is for this claim. I have previously searched the literature and have not managed to find any convincing evidence. If the author knows of any, I would be very pleased to receive citations. The same question can also be posed about the question of solid food being eaten less by breastfeeding children - what is the evidence?
Competing interests
None declared
top