What infant habits at two months can predict future health issues?

Nine specific feeding, sleeping, and playtime routines at two months are linked to higher BMI by six months, potentially impacting long-term health.

How does parental phone use affect infant weight gain?

Parents using phones or watching TV during infant playtime were more likely to have overweight or obese babies.

Can early infant weight gain lead to lifelong obesity?

Yes, excess weight gained in the first six months can slow metabolism, increase appetite, and make weight loss harder later in life.

Home / Health / Infant Habits Linked to Lifelong Health Risks

Infant Habits Linked to Lifelong Health Risks

21 Nov, 2025

•

Summary

Nine infant routines at two months tied to higher BMI by six months.
Feeding too often and large bottles linked to infant weight gain.
Parental phone use during playtime affects infant BMI.

Infant Habits Linked to Lifelong Health Risks

Infant habits formed within the first six months of life can set the stage for chronic health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Researchers identified nine key behaviors in two-month-old infants related to feeding, sleep, and playtime that correlated with increased body mass index (BMI) by six months.

These influential habits include using excessively large bottles, frequent nighttime feedings, and parents using phones or watching TV during playtime. Furthermore, putting infants to bed after 8 p.m. or when already asleep, rather than drowsy, and sleeping in rooms with active televisions were also linked to higher weight gain.

Early intervention by healthcare providers is vital to support families in establishing healthy routines. This focus on foundational infant behaviors can prevent excessive weight gain, foster healthier metabolisms, and ultimately contribute to a child's lifelong well-being, mitigating risks for serious health conditions.