I don't think the fact that two of the authors of this study have worked
for Nestle immediately negates their findings and means the whole study has
no merit. That is, IMO, unnecessarily rigid, though of course authors
should declare these interests.

However, I do think it is relevant that the stats come from Belarus, where
there is nothing like the child obesity problem that exists in the US, the
UK and other parts of the west. Breastfeeding could be a significant factor
in other cultures. The study is an example of why we should be careful when
we look at situations in economic and social contexts which are radically
different from one another.

In addition, in situations where the majority of women start breastfeeding
and where they continue for several weeks or months - which is the case in
Belarus, though the exclusivity of bf is low - it is bound to be difficult
to show differences. It is also going to be hard to show differences where
mixed bf and formula feeding rates are high - as is the case in Belarus.

The only way we can get a proper answer on this one is to compare large
cohorts, differentiated according to exclusive and non-exclusive
breastfeeding and no breastfeeding.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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