Cheryl mentioned the new "study" just published in Pediatrics about early
introduction of solid foods. Mehta KC, Specker BL, Bartholmey S, et al: Trial
on timing of introduction to solids and food type on infant growth. Pediatrics
1998; 102:569-573.

This "study" was done to determine whether early introduction of solid foods
effected body growth or composition. The study protocol recruited infants
under the age of 3 months. Groups included early introduction of commercial
cereal at 3 months, late introduction of commercial cereal at 6 months, and
two other groups with the same ages but parents chose the types of foods to
introduce. ALL babies were fed commercial formula during the study period.
"Babies were permitted to consume breastmilk before randomization at 3 months
of age."

They conclude that babies consuming commercial baby food have the same growth
and body composition as babies consuming home prepared foods. There are a few
other interesting conclusions such as that solids displace energy intake from
formula, that early or late solid food introduction leads to similar growth
and body composition, and there is more.

It will come as no surprise to all of you that the so-called study was funded
by Gerber Products, Inc and that the third author of the study is a Gerber
employee.

It looks like a ploy to counteract the AAP's guidelines on breastfeeding
exclusively for 6 months, the WHO's recommendation to breastfeed exclusively
for 6 months, and a mechanism to increase sales of commercial baby food to a
larger market earlier on. What a boon to sales! Starting babies a whole 3
months earlier will definitely contribute to higher profits. Too bad no one
looked at the health and IQ of these babies.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, Massachusetts