John
01-14-2011, 08:16 AM
Scientists are questioning whether breast-fed babies need more than milk during the first six months of life.
Government guidelines suggest only milk should be fed to babies of six months or less.
Today's surprise recommendations come from a team from University College London's Institute of Child Health.
Exclusively breastfeeding for six months is a good recommendation for developing countries, which have higher death rates from infection, the IoCH research said.
But, in the UK, it could lead to some adverse health outcomes and may "reduce the window for introducing new tastes".
The research added: "Bitter tastes, in particular, may be important in the later acceptance of green leafy vegetables, which may potentially affect later food preferences with influence on health outcomes such as obesity.
"Many western countries, including 65% of European member states and the US, elected not to follow this recommendation fully, or at all," today's authors said.
"However, in 2003 the health minister announced that the UK would comply."
Some studies have also shown that breastfeeding for six months does not give babies all the nutrition they need, the team said.
One US study from 2007 found that babies exclusively breastfed for six months were more likely to develop anaemia than those introduced to solids at four to six months.
In contrast, the European Food Safety Authority's panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies believes that infants across the EU could be introduced to complementary foods safely between four and six months, the researchers said.
The EU panel also said six months of exclusive breastfeeding may not always provide sufficient nutrition for "optimal growth and development".
This is similar to recent guidance issued by the British Dietetic Association Paediatric Group, the panel said.
The authors suggest the Department of Health sets up an independent review of the most recent evidence to decide once and for all what really is best for baby.
Source - Yahoo.
Government guidelines suggest only milk should be fed to babies of six months or less.
Today's surprise recommendations come from a team from University College London's Institute of Child Health.
Exclusively breastfeeding for six months is a good recommendation for developing countries, which have higher death rates from infection, the IoCH research said.
But, in the UK, it could lead to some adverse health outcomes and may "reduce the window for introducing new tastes".
The research added: "Bitter tastes, in particular, may be important in the later acceptance of green leafy vegetables, which may potentially affect later food preferences with influence on health outcomes such as obesity.
"Many western countries, including 65% of European member states and the US, elected not to follow this recommendation fully, or at all," today's authors said.
"However, in 2003 the health minister announced that the UK would comply."
Some studies have also shown that breastfeeding for six months does not give babies all the nutrition they need, the team said.
One US study from 2007 found that babies exclusively breastfed for six months were more likely to develop anaemia than those introduced to solids at four to six months.
In contrast, the European Food Safety Authority's panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies believes that infants across the EU could be introduced to complementary foods safely between four and six months, the researchers said.
The EU panel also said six months of exclusive breastfeeding may not always provide sufficient nutrition for "optimal growth and development".
This is similar to recent guidance issued by the British Dietetic Association Paediatric Group, the panel said.
The authors suggest the Department of Health sets up an independent review of the most recent evidence to decide once and for all what really is best for baby.
Source - Yahoo.