A new study from Shanghai followed families to understand how feeding babies in their first two years affects what they eat as preschoolers. Researchers found that babies who start breastfeeding quickly after birth, get a variety of foods by age one, and aren’t forced to eat tend to have better eating habits as preschoolers. The study suggests that early feeding choices matter more than many parents realize, especially for boys. These findings could help doctors and parents make better decisions about feeding young children to set them up for healthier eating throughout childhood.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the way parents feed babies under age 2 affects how well those children eat when they’re 3-5 years old
  • Who participated: Families from Shanghai who were part of a long-term health study tracking mothers and children. The study looked back at feeding records from the first two years of life and checked eating habits during preschool years.
  • Key finding: Children who started breastfeeding within one hour of birth, ate different types of food by age one, and weren’t pressured to eat had better diet quality as preschoolers. Children who didn’t meet these early feeding goals had noticeably worse eating patterns later.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a parent or caregiver, the early feeding choices you make—starting breastfeeding quickly, introducing variety, and not forcing kids to eat—may help your child develop healthier eating habits that last. This is especially important for boys and families with typical income levels.

The Research Details

Researchers used information from a large Shanghai family health study that tracked mothers and children over time. They collected information about how babies were fed during their first two years through questionnaires. Then they looked at what those same children ate when they were preschool age (3-5 years old). To measure diet quality, they used a scoring system that looks at whether children eat a balanced variety of foods. Higher scores meant worse diet quality.

The researchers used a statistical method called multiple linear regression to figure out which early feeding practices were connected to better or worse eating habits later. This method helps separate which factors really matter from those that don’t.

This research approach is important because it follows the same children over time, which is stronger than just looking at one moment in time. By tracking real families and their actual feeding practices, the study shows real-world patterns rather than just what happens in a controlled setting. Understanding these connections helps doctors and parents know which early feeding choices have the biggest impact on children’s long-term health.

This study has several strengths: it followed real families over several years, collected detailed information about feeding practices, and used a validated method to measure diet quality. However, the study relied on parents remembering and reporting what they did, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The study was done in Shanghai, so results may not apply exactly the same way in other countries or cultures with different feeding practices. The researchers adjusted their analysis for many other factors that could affect results, which strengthens the findings.

What the Results Show

Children who waited more than one hour to start breastfeeding after birth had worse diet quality scores as preschoolers compared to those who started within one hour. The difference was small but measurable.

Babies who were given both breast milk and formula at 4 months old (mixed feeding) had worse diet quality later than babies who got only breast milk. This suggests that exclusive breastfeeding during early months may set up better eating patterns.

The most striking finding was about food variety: babies who didn’t eat at least a minimum variety of different food types by age one had significantly worse diet quality as preschoolers—about twice as much worse on the scoring system. This suggests that introducing different foods early is really important.

Parental behavior also mattered a lot. When parents pressured or forced children to eat, those children had worse diet quality later. But when parents paid attention to and monitored what their children ate (without forcing), children had better diet quality. This suggests that how parents approach feeding is just as important as what they feed.

The study found that these early feeding patterns affected boys more strongly than girls. Boys whose early feeding wasn’t ideal had bigger problems with diet quality later. The effects were also stronger in families where mothers felt their economic situation was average or typical, suggesting that feeding practices may matter differently depending on family circumstances.

This research builds on what scientists already knew about early feeding and later health. Previous studies showed that breastfeeding is important, but this study adds new details about timing and specific practices. The finding about food variety at age one is particularly important because it shows that introducing many different foods early—not just breast milk or formula—helps children develop better eating habits. The finding about parental pressure is also important because it confirms what child development experts have been saying: forcing kids to eat can backfire and lead to worse eating habits.

The study asked parents to remember what happened 2-4 years earlier, which can be inaccurate. The study was done only in Shanghai, so the results might be different in other places with different cultures and food traditions. The researchers couldn’t prove that early feeding directly caused the later diet quality—only that they were connected. Other factors not measured in the study could have influenced the results. The study didn’t include information about all possible factors that affect children’s eating, like exposure to food advertising or school lunch programs.

The Bottom Line

Parents should aim to: (1) Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth if possible—this appears to have lasting benefits; (2) Introduce a variety of different foods by age one, not just milk; (3) Avoid pressuring or forcing children to eat, and instead monitor and guide their eating choices gently; (4) Continue these practices as children grow into preschool age. These recommendations have moderate to strong evidence from this study, though more research in different populations would strengthen the findings.

This research is most relevant for parents and caregivers of babies and young children, especially those with boys. Healthcare providers, pediatricians, and nutrition counselors should pay attention to these findings when giving advice to families. Policymakers working on early childhood nutrition programs should consider these results. The findings may be most applicable to families in urban areas with similar economic situations to Shanghai, though the basic principles likely apply more broadly.

The effects of early feeding patterns appear to show up by the time children are preschool age (3-5 years old). Parents shouldn’t expect overnight changes, but the research suggests that good feeding practices in the first two years set the stage for eating habits that persist for years. Benefits may continue to build as children get older if good practices continue.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the variety of different food groups your child eats each week (vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, dairy) starting from age 6 months. Aim for at least 5-7 different food types by age one. Use the app to log new foods introduced and note which ones your child accepts well.
  • Instead of using the app to track how much your child eats, use it to track your own parenting behavior: monitor how often you’re guiding eating choices versus pressuring, and celebrate days when you let your child decide when they’re full. Set reminders to introduce one new food per week.
  • Create a long-term feeding practice profile in the app that tracks: (1) breastfeeding initiation timing, (2) introduction of food variety by age milestones, (3) parental feeding style (monitoring vs. pressure), and (4) overall diet quality scores. Review progress quarterly to see if early feeding practices are connecting to better eating habits as your child grows.

This research shows associations between early feeding practices and later diet quality, but cannot prove that one directly causes the other. Individual children vary greatly, and many factors influence eating habits. This information is educational and should not replace advice from your pediatrician or healthcare provider. If you have concerns about your child’s nutrition or feeding, consult with a qualified healthcare professional who knows your child’s specific situation. The study was conducted in Shanghai and may not apply identically in all populations or cultures.