Kathy D writes:



>
>He was right to be unconvinced.  4 to 6 months continues to be the World
>Health Organization recommendation world-wide, with the 4 month end
>applying to babies in adverse environmental conditions and the 6 month end
>applying to babies in good environmental conditions.  Specific individual
>babies MAY DO FINE on exclusive breastfeeding for longer, just as specific
>individual babies may need to have solid foods started earlier.  But for a
>general rule, one cannot say that "all babies should be exclusively
>breastfed for at least 6 months or more."  This does not fit what the
>research shows about the need for solids to ensure good growth and health.
>
>>and
>>that introduction of solids should not really start at 4 mos. of age which
>>is usually recommended.
>
>I also don't think most people recommend solids starting at 4 months as a
>general rule.  Most pediatricians suggest the 4-6 month window.  The new
>AAP recommendations say "about six months" with the "about" on the younger
>side.
>
The official UK recommendation is 4-6 months, and nothing I have read
indicates this is out of line with what we know about health and
growth. It allows for variations to reflect individual needs and
environments.

Riordan and Auerbach cite a couple of studies that to me, show a
clear risk of anaemia if exclusive bf is prolonged - 30 per cent
anaemia in babies aged 12 months, for example.

Most babies should have solids around them, sorta in their
'environment' by about six months, and most babies will be showing at
least a mild interest in other foods, and other people's plates, by
then.

I think our (I mean, the bf supportive community) relaxed attitude to
solids means that we sensibly do not panic if a healthy, thriving bf
baby is not shovelling platefuls of meat 'n' potatoes in by siz
months, and we have to fight our corner against people who think daft
ideas like there's no 'goodness' in breastmilk after X months...but
we shouldn't go so far the other way that we end up appearing to say
'the more exclusive bf, the better....'

Lots of babies are fine on breastmilk alone for more than six months,
but they should at least be given the opportunity to choose extras by
about six months.

At least, that's my reading of the literature and of what the good guys say.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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