I saw my GP yesterday and she said that the data suggesting that exclusive breast feeding for six months reduces the risk of allergies has now been disproven and it is reasonable to start solids from 5 months of age.
Just wondering if anyone has heard this before and peoples thoughts about starting at 5 months
Just found this on a Med-line search - still interested in peoples opinions though
Is 6 months still the best for exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of solids? A literature review with consideration to the risk of the development of allergies. [Review] [46 refs]
Anderson J. Malley K. Snell R.
Breastfeeding Review. 17(2):23-31, 2009 Jul.
[Journal Article. Review]
UI: 19685855
Check list of Print and Electronic Journals held by RGH Library
ISSN Print
0729-2759
AB Health professionals advising mothers on the introduction of solid foods to infants need evidence-based guidelines. A literature review on this topic was undertaken to examine the current international recommendations of expert bodies and evidence-based research published since 2003. Particular reference in this review is made to the timing of introducing food allergens and the risk of development of allergy in the child. Recommendations in developed countries of reducing this risk by avoidance of allergenic foods until the child is of varying ages past 6 months have been challenged by recent population studies. Where the risk of allergy is a key consideration, currently-available research suggests that introducing solids at 4-6 months may result in the lowest allergy risk. When all aspects of health are taken into account, the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding and age of introduction of solids were confirmed to be 6 months, but no later. [References: 46]
Ask for the data To my knowledge what has been disproven is delaying the introduction of foods AFTER 6 months. It does not appear to alter rates of allergy. For example, giving egg can now happen when solids start as opposed to delaying it until 9months (or whatever the latest says )
WHO still recommends exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months prior to the introduction of solids.
This is common information being given out thanks to aggressive marketing by baby food manufacturers to MCHNs. However, as Michelle says, the current guidelines, based on many, many studies around the world, is to exclusively bf for 6 months and then continue to provide bm while introducing complementary foods - ie solids.
Two new things have been shown by the lastest studies:
1. Introducing solids while the baby is still bfing provides strong protection against allergies by helping to support the immune system at this time of stress.
2. Delaying "high allergy" foods such as egg, dairy, nut products (whole nuts are still a choking risk) might contribute to allergies, so therefore these foods shouldn't be delayed much beyond 6 months.
There is still a lot of evidence to support the fact that introducing solids before 6 months can cause a number of problems including, but not limited to, allergies.
In the end it's up to you and no amount of the right research is going to persuade or dissuade you.
I believe that it is not necessary for a child to be on solids before six months... My child did not begin to consume them to be of any benefit until almost 9 months of age. So regardless of any research I am not about to start my children on solids at 4 months. I will do it when I believe they are ready and when I am ready. They don't need the food. "Food is FUN until I am one" sentiment ...
This is not to say that someone else' child won't react to solids differntly, or that when they choose to start solids should change - just that the research i choose to peruse and believe backs up my choice. And if the research helps you sleep at night when you introduce solids at 5months instead of six in the hanging hope your baby will begin to sleep at night - that's your choice
Many thanks for your replies guys - it is much appreciated.
Just feel the need to clarify a couple of things:
Firstly the question has arrisen because, as with you all, I want to do the very best I can for my daughter - and I feel it is always wise to look closely at the evidence and to make sure I have the very latest evidence at hand when making my decisions. I am still undecided as to when to introduce solids and will continue to explore and read before making my decision. Most importantly if i decided to introduce solids at 5 months it would NOT be because I want more sleep and DD to sleep through the night. I would gladly continue to get up at night for the next hundred years :-) if that was what she needed and was the best thing for her. The high incidence of allergies in children at the moment is more of a concern to me.
I had a look at the WHO site and while their recommendations are of course based on best possible evidence - but this is best possible evidence at time that guidelines where written and from what I can see (and if I am wrong someone please let me know) they were written in 2003. The article I referred to earlier looks at the evidence since this time. From what I can gather so far (granted I need to do more research) is that the studies to date have many limitations and certainly do not provide clear answers on this issue.
MantaRay - re the introducing eggs, nuts etc no later than 6 months - do you know where I can read more about this and how it should be done?
It was recommended to me (by a pediatrician) that babies need to be started on solids at four months as 'new research' had found that starting earlier than six months actually reduces the likelihood of developing allergies.
My bub was actually 3 months and 3 weeks old and the pediatrician wanted me to get him started... I didn't feel comfortable with this, I couldn't find any info about this 'new research' and my baby really wasn't interested in anything except his boobies til just recently, at around 7.5 months. I wasn't about to force feed him, so we have taken it easy and I think he really has shown me when HE was ready to start. My daughter was the same.
Goodluck, it's really hard to make the 'right' decision in regards to lots of topics when it comes to parenting, especially with all the conflicting information out there
Oh and Lady Noor.. Neither my son or daughter slept better after starting solids.. Unfortunately!!
Stoked, if something doesn't feel right then that is a good sign that it might not be. Even the allergists who are going against the guidelines and suggesting starting solids earlier than 6 months, are adamant that solids should not be started before 4 months. That is universally accepted and borne out by research. The grey area is the time between 4 and 6 months. However, there are very good reasons why all the official guidelines still say 6 months. One study (with some questions over some of the methods) should not be a basis on its own for changing what we do.
If babies seem to be showing the signs earlier than 6 months and a mum really wants to go ahead with it, one idea might be to try Baby Led Solids so that it's up to the baby whether they eat any or not. Gil Rapley who is the Baby Led Solids expert doesn't recommend this because she finds that once food is in front of a baby, an adult will often help the food into the baby's mouth at some stage, whether the baby wants it or not. If you are aware of this risk and want to go ahead, it is probably a better idea than putting a spoonful of food in the baby's mouth and not knowing whether they really wanted it or not.
Last edited by MantaRay; July 31st, 2010 at 07:13 AM.
I'm all for holding off until at least 6 mths (I intend to wait until DS is showing all the signs of being ready as I did with DD) but I have been told by a couple of GPs and CHNs that babies need extra iron for brain development from 6mths. Any thoughts on that?
Are you BF Jandals?
If you are, it is rubbish - your baby will take all it needs from the BM and you - and you will get what is left - your body will automatically nourish its young as required at the detriment to itself itms. So they will always get the nutrition they need. (You need to eat a balanced diet and make sure you are taking a multi or something if you are feeling you aen't, and look after yourself, because it will take what it wants and leave you wanting, not the baby - same as during pregnancy)
Thanks LimeSlice. Yes, I'm B'feeding and intend to continue for a while yet. I really should be better at taking my vitamins and iron tablets but I just get busy and forget . I think one of the reasons I'm so tired is that I stay up far too late cruising BB
I'm really not too worried about when to start solids but the 'iron issue' is in the back of my mind. I'll know the right time for DS to start eating - he's pretty clever so I'm sure he'll let me know
2011 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
starting solids - new evidence?
To my knowledge what has been disproven is delaying the introduction of foods AFTER 6 months. It does not appear to alter rates of allergy. For example, giving egg can now happen when solids start as opposed to delaying it until 9months (or whatever the latest says
)
. I think one of the reasons I'm so tired is that I stay up far too late cruising BB
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks