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Long-Term Weight Trajectories in Infants Receiving Prolonged Breastfeeding: Impact of Formula Supplementation.

Rona Krinsky-Dror·Ronit Lubetzky·Dror Mandel·Hadar Moran-Lev
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study compared weight trajectories in infants breastfed for at least 1 year, with or without formula supplementation. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort of 252 infants followed in well-baby clinics. All infants were breastfed &#x2265;12 months and received complementary foods at 4-6 months. Of these, 174 received no formula, and 78 received daily formula supplementation. Anthropometric data were collected from birth to 5 years of age. RESULTS: Among males, those breastfed without formula had significantly lower body weight between 13 and 18 months compared with those receiving formula (10.20 kg vs. 10.97 kg, p < 0.001). From 19 months onward, no significant weight differences were observed and trajectories converged through 5 years. CONCLUSION: Prolonged breastfeeding in male infants is associated with lower weight in early toddlerhood; however, differences resolve by age two. These findings suggest early variations may represent physiological patterns. Further controlled studies are needed.

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HumansBreast FeedingInfantInfant FormulaMaleRetrospective StudiesInfant, NewbornFemaleChild, PreschoolInfant Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaBody-Weight TrajectoryDietary SupplementsChild DevelopmentTime FactorsWeight Gainbreastfeedingformulagrowth curvesprolonged lactationJournal Article

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Rona Krinsky-Dror, Ronit Lubetzky, Dror Mandel, Hadar Moran-Lev. 2026-06-26. Long-Term Weight Trajectories in Infants Receiving Prolonged Breastfeeding: Impact of Formula Supplementation.. https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261461838

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Journal Article resourceChild, Preschool subjectDietary Supplements subjectFemale subjectHumans subjectInfant subjectInfant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena subjectInfant, Newborn subjectJournal Article subjectMale subject

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