Anneleis: I think the study you mean was published on Jan 1 this year, in
(I think) the BMJ  (or it could have been the Lancet - I'm pressed for time
so can't check). It showed that solids before 15 weeks inc. the liklihood
of respiratory illness episodes by age seven, and had some measurable
effect on blood flow (slows if fed early solids) and on body fat (though
it's too soon to say this will lead to obesity). This is part of the
wonderful 'Dundee study' which is tracking about 500 mother and baby pairs
- the 'babies' are now 13 and their overall health is now being monitored,
with a special focus on blood flow and body fat.

So far, it seems (now prepare yourself for a shock - NOT) :

it is best to bf exclusively
it is second best to formula feed and introduce solids after 15 weeks
it is third best (or worst) to formula feed and int. solids before 15 weeks

The great thing about the Dundee study is that it tracks Western babies in
a fairly typical urban environment, and gives us ammunition against those
anti-bf peope who say bf is only important in the developing rural world,
and makes no diff. to Western babies.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK  - in the North East of England - about 300
miles from London : )