Hi All

There have been several studies referring to the introduction of solids past 6 months
of age. Most have examined the health/iron levels of babies who are exclusively breastfed
past 6 months of age. The Lactation Resource Centre in Australia has just published a
literature review on this topic. Their email address is: [log in to unmask]

Other references (which are used in this paper from the LRC) are:

Borresen 1995 Rethinking current recommendations to introduce soloid food between four
and six months to exclusively breastfed infants.   J Hum Lact 11(3): 201-204

Whitehead 1995 For how long is exclusive breastfeeding adequate to satisfy the dietary
energy needs of the average young baby? Pediatr Res 37(2): 293-243

Pastel et al 1981 Iron sufficiency with prolonged exclusive breastfeeding in Peruvian
infants.  Clin Pediatr 20(10):625-626.

Taren and Chen 1993  A positive association between extended breastfeeding and nutritional
status in rural Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.  Am J Clin Nutr 58(6): 862-867.

All these articles are very positive about exclusive breastfeeding beyond 6 months.
If you would like further references please email me so that I can send them to you.
Hope this helps

Fiona Coombes  MBBS IBCLC   ([log in to unmask])
Perth Western Australia