A study of the growth of 200 newborn babies for a period of 6 months according to the type of nutrition.

Two hundred newborn babies were followed up for 6 months to monitor their weight, height, head circumference and skinfold thickness to assess the effects of exclusive breast-feeding, mixed feeding, bottle feeding and socio-economic factors on these parameters. Of the 200 babies, 90% were breast-fed upon discharge, and 83 (46%) commenced mixed feeding within the first 6 weeks. Inadequate breast-milk was the main reason given for starting mixed feeding (63.9%). Weight at 6 months was significantly greater in breast-fed infants compared with those who were only bottle-fed. Skinfold thickness at 6 months was also greater in breast-fed infants than in the other nutrition groups.