Early parenting correlates of 9 mo formula amount of predominantly breastfed US 3 mo infants

Purpose was to identify correlates of amount of formula fed to 9 mo infants who had been predominantly breastfed at 3 mo. Participants were 117 mothers and infants (68 female, 49 male) weighed and measured at 3, 6, 9 mo. Exclusion criteria for study enrollment were birthweight < 2.95 kg or > 4.32 kg. At 3 mo, infant weight ranged from 4.78 to 8.31 kg; at 9 mo, infant weight ranged from 5.22 to 11.73 kg. Mothers were: 87% white; 66% college graduate or postgraduate; 91% married. At 9 mo, 41 infants were fed some formula; amount ranged from .86 oz to 42 oz. All but one infant were eating solids (range of start time: 3 mo to 8.5 mo; Mdn = 6 mo); 66% were fed some table food by 9 mo. Maternal correlates of 9 mo formula amount were: mother's weight at 9mo‐visit, r = .188, p = .04; mother's positive affect at 6 mo‐visit, r = −.176, p = .07; mother's permissive parenting style at 3 mo‐visit, r = .199, p = .05. Maternal parenting stress was not related to formula amount. Amount of 9 mo formula was also related to infant 6 to 9 mo kg weight gain, p = .252, p = .01. Results extend findings on correlates of formula to predominantly breastfed infants. Funding: USDA‐NIFA NRI 2008‐35200‐18779.