What I read in this is that perhap's the AAP's Section on Breastfeeding and the Committee on Nutrition/Section on Allergy and Immunology maybe don't talk with one another often enough. Even WIC is changing it's nutrition program to not offer complementary foods for infants until 6 months of age and to include less rice cereal and add infant fruits and vegetables. Point 10 in the Section on Breastfeeding's 2005 policy statement. Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive *breastfeeding* is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life[image: {ddagger}] and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection.30<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R30> ,34<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R34> ,128<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R128> ,178<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R178> –184<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R184> *Breastfeeding* should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child.185<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R185> - Complementary foods rich in iron should be introduced gradually beginning around 6 months of age.186<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R186> –187<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R187>Preterm and low birth weight infants and infants with hematologic disorders or infants who had inadequate iron stores at birth generally require iron supplementation before 6 months of age.148<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R148> ,188<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R188> –192<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R192> Iron may be administered while continuing exclusive *breastfeeding*. - Unique needs or feeding behaviors of individual infants may indicate a need for introduction of complementary foods as early as 4 months of age, whereas other infants may not be ready to accept other foods until approximately 8 months of age.193<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R193> - Introduction of complementary feedings before 6 months of age generally does not increase total caloric intake or rate of growth and only substitutes foods that lack the protective components of human milk.194<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/115/2/496?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=breastfeeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT#R194> Ruth Roazen LLL Leader *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome