The original WHO recommendations stated giving complementary foods between
4-6 months but this has since been revised.  As a follow-up to the
International Conference on Nutrition (ICN) and in accordance with the
World Declaration and Plan of Action for Nutrition, a joint WHO/UNICEF
consultation on complementary feeding was convened Nov. 28-30, 1995 in
Montpellier France.

The Plan of Action for Nutrition in paragraph 36(b) urges that Governments
should "Promote sound weaning practices, including timely introduction of
supplementary foods, adequate quantity and quality of weaning foods and
improved feeding practices, such as more frequent and supervised feedings"
Since the ICN, two resolutions of the World Health Assembly on infant and
young child nutrition have reaffirmed the importance of complementary
feeding:  in 1992, resolution WHA45.34 in its preamble to paragraph 4, and
in 1994, resolution WHA47.5, paragraph 2, point 1, d:"fostering appropriate
complementary feeding practices from the age of ABOUT SIX MONTHS,
emphasizing the continued breast-feeding and frequent feeding with safe and
adequate amounts of local foods."   Complementary feeding denotes giving
foods which can provide additional energy and nutrients in addition to a
continued intake of breastmilk between about six months and 24 months or
beyond.

In conclusion, it is important for us all to cease referring to introducing
solids between 4-6 months and refer to "about six months with continued
breastfeeding for 24 months or beyond" to adequately quote the updated WHO
recommendations.

Maureen Fjeld, IBCLC
Calgary, AB
Co-Chair Breastfeeding Committee for Canada
"National BFI Launch, November 19-21, 1998, Vancouver, B.C."