New research finds exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months not always best
January 20, 2011
The conventional wisdom that breastfeeding alone for six months is critical to a child's health has been challenged by a report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), which finds some advantages when mothers stop breastfeeding exclusively before six months.
The recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) that mothers avoid giving solid food to newborns for six months from their birth was based on a group of 16 studies, seven of which were from developing countries. While studies found that breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of infection, the practice also was associated with iron deficiency anemia.
The BMJ report authors found evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for six months might also be linked to food allergies and celiac disease. Breastfeeding may be an ideal solution in developing countries with high infection rates, but introducing solid foods earlier than six months may have some advantages in developed countries with safe food supplies.
The decision about when to introduce other liquids and solid foods (i.e., complementary foods) is best made on an individual basis and should not be standardized, suggests one study cited by the authors. Factors like the infant's size, activity, gender, and the amount and quality of breast milk should be considered. The study authors conclude that an objective, independent review of more recent scientific evidence is warranted to help answer these questions about breastfeeding and complementary foods.
Source: Fewtrell M, et al. "Six months of exclusive breast feeding: How good is the evidence?" BMJ 2011; DOI:10.1136/bmj.c5955.
