Fitness Quotes - Weaning before six months 'may help breastfed babies'?

Weaning before six months 'may help breastfed babies'?

This is the on the bbc news website, what do you guys think? i'm a bit confused now my baby is 15 weeks today and according to this I could feed her soilds as early as 1st feb. Relying purely on breastfeeding for the first six months might not be best for babies, experts in the UK have warned. In the British Medical Journal, the team said breastfed babies may benefit from being given solid food earlier. Current advice suggests weaning should occur at six months, but the UCL team say it could happen as early as four. They suggest later weaning may increase food allergies and iron deficiency levels, but other experts backed the existing guidance. Ten years ago, the World Health Organization published global advice advocating babies be exclusively breastfed for six months. The research team, led by Dr Mary Fewtrell a paediatrician from the University of London Institute of Child Health, said it supported the recommendation for developing countries, where access to clean water and safe weaning foods is limited, and there is a high risk of infant death and illness. But they added: "Many western countries, including 65% of European member states and the US, elected not to follow this recommendation fully, if at all. But in 2003, a health minister said the UK would comply. Parents 'cannot win' The WHO recommendation "rested largely" on a review of 16 studies, including seven from developing countries. It concluded that babies just given breast milk for six months had fewer infections and experienced no growth problems. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote There are a lot of babies being weaned before six months anyway” End Quote Dr Mary Fewtrell Researcher But another review of 33 studies found "no compelling evidence" not to introduce solids at four to six months, the experts said. Some research has also shown that six months of breastfeeding does not give babies all the nutrition they need. A US 2007 study found there was an increased risk of anaemia compared with those introduced to solids at four to six months. Swedish research also found that the incidence of early onset coeliac disease increased after a recommendation to delay introduction of gluten until age six months, but fell back after the recommendation reverted to four months. Dr Alan Lucas, director of the Institute of Health, said: "The WHO recommendation is very sensible for developing countries. "But in the UK, it's important we take a balanced look at the evidence." Dr Fewtrell added: "When you look at the figures, there are a lot of babies being weaned before six months anyway - and that's probably the most important thing in terms of hard evidence." 'Inappropriate feeding' But the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the National Childbirth Trust defended current advice. And Janet Fyle, professional policy adviser at the Royal College of Midwives, said: "I really must challenge the suggestion that the UK should reconsider its current advice on exclusive breastfeeding for six months. "I believe that this is a retrograde step and plays into the hands of the baby-food industry which has failed to support the six-month exclusive breastfeeding policy in the UK. "There is evidence that some babies do die in developed countries from inappropriate young child feeding, such as the introduction of solid foods earlier before their swallowing mechanism is mature enough or they have fully developed the capability to cope with solid foods." And a Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs up to six months of age and we recommend exclusive breastfeeding for this time. "Mothers who wish to introduce solids before six months should always talk to health professionals first." The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is to review infant feeding and is due to report later this year.

Public Comments

I know i was watching it on Daybreak this morning where they were discussing it, one specialist said she had 3 children the first was suggested solids at 3 mths, her 2nd child solids at 4mths and her 3rd no solids until 6mths now the advice has come full circle. To be honest though did a mother ever take a strangers advice as gospel? I dont think so, every mother knows whats best for her baby, and every baby is different too. I started my son on solids when he was 18wks old as I felt he was ready it done him no harm, family members were saying "he should be on solids by now" the health visitor was saying "no solids until after 6mths" but at the end of the day who cares what anyone else said, I read my baby's signs, tried him with some spoonfulls of food and he was fine, done him no harm at all.
Am a medical student as per our instruction we usually advice to start weaning from 6 months of the baby age. Nothing worry here you can start weaning now also if ur baby tolerates well. When i was baby my mom started weaning from 3 months of my age.
Hi I also saw this earlier and feel that mothers out there will be so confused. I have a very happy and healthy 8 month girl. My husband & I took the decision to starts introducing solids at 17 weeks. We spoke to our health visitor and she agreed. The main decision was because she was exclusivley breastfed and would not take formula but not gaining weight and very restless at night. She also displayed a big interest in us eating. I think instinct played a massive part in our decision too. So many people feel pressured into doing what they are told or following this and that guidelins. Well I know times change but isnt it annoying when in 8 years people just appear to change their minds all over again. I truly believe that a mother and father will know what is best for their baby. Nutrition is key to getting a healthy baby. Also its so much fun to watch your baby experience new tastes and textures. Enjoying precious time with your baby whilst they are a baby is the most amazing experience we have.
The advice to breast feed exclusively for 6 months is due to the risk of infection from eating non sterile solid foods and contaminated water. If you live in an area where your water is not treated or there are poor hygiene standards (most developing countries) then I 100% recommend you follow this advice. However, if you live in a country with high standards of hygiene (treated water, good sewage system, food standards etc etc) then you should follow you instincts as a mother. Most mums disregarded the advice because they knew instinctually their baby needed more food than just milk. Each baby is different and each baby weans at a different time (though most occur between 4-6 months). Weaning on to solids does not mean stopping breast feeding though obviously. Wait and see how you baby is with breast milk only, it may be that they are content, sleeping though the night and gaining weight well. If you start noticing they are trying to "eat" toys etc, drooling, sitting up, reaching or taking an interest in food and most importantly you get a sense that your baby is still hungry even after a feed... it is probably time to wean. For 1000's of years parents have relied on instinct and I am happy that this study is now being questioned as many mum's instincts were proved correct! Advice seems to change quite frequently... so go with you own gut feeling and I am sure you will be fine. xxx
I exclusively breastfed until last week, when my son turned 6 months. I think its ridiculous that they're publishing this now, when the research hasn't even concluded, its like they want mothers to be confused. All I know is my son has not starved, quite the opposite, he has thrived from the moment he was born on breastmilk alone and I wouldn't have fed him solids earlier if I was paid to. Not even considering the effects it can have on a baby's delicate digestive system, feeding solid foods too early can pose immediate health risks, such as choking and constipation. Long term risks are unclear, but past studies have shown that feeding solids before a baby is ready can cause allergies, That is proven, unlike this new information that has been published (as far as I know it is speculative findings that have been published, that relate to an ongoing review.) That being said, nothing magical happens the day a baby turns six months. Babies mature at different stages. Some are ready earlier than others, but that doesn't automatically mean that they NEED solid food, just that they can digest it without issue. Most babies don't lose their tongue-thrust reflex until they're around five months anyway, so why they're telling mothers to introduce solids before or around four months is baffling.
i weaned both my children at about 4months, they were ready for it. the theory is when the decided breast was best for 6 months (the WHO used information gathered from 6 developing countries and 3 developed countries) in the developing countries there isn't the amount of food as there is in the UK my advice IGNORE the advice from the government and do what u feel is right for u and ur baby
i can understand it in some ways but every baby is different and some are happy with just breastmilk. when my daughter was breastfed she was so hungry and fed every hour for an hour it would have been impossible to keep up for 6 months so i had to switch to formula. if i kept up with breastmilk she would have needed solids pretty quickly. for some reason breastfed babies are hungrier than formula fed, i think its because its a watery substance compared to formula. but its a personal choice theres no reason to not breastfeed for 6 months if you and your baby are both happy with it.
my gran daughter is 6months and has been on solids since she was 3months and she is doing great