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Infant Habits Linked to Lifelong Health Risks
21 Nov
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 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.
