Exclusive breastfeeding for six months may not be best for UK babies

The need to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of an infant’s has been questioned by health experts on the British Medical Journal website.

Currently, UK mothers are strongly encouraged to exclusively breastfeed a baby for at least six months.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced this recommendation in 2001, with the UK agreeing to support it in 2003.

But the breast only is best policy has been reviewed by researchers led by Dr Mary Fewtrell, a consultant paediatrician at the UCL Institute of Child Health in London.

Whilst they ‘fully back’ exclusive breastfeeding in the early months, they believe it is time to reevaluate the recommendation of six months.

The researchers believe withholding of others foods before this point may not always be in the interest of the child. 

Doctor Fewtrell says that evidence that breast milk by itself is sufficient nutrition for six months is ‘questionable’.

In her opinion,there is a higher risk of a baby developing iron deficiency anaemia, a higher risk of celiac disease and also food   intolerances if children are not introduced to solid food before six months.

The WHO based their six months recommendation on a review undertaken in 2000, which concluded exclusively breastfed babies have fewer infections and no growth problems.

But whilst the researchers support exclusive breastfeeding in countries where limited access to clean water and weaning foods causes a high risk of infant death, they do have reservations about the guidance being right for the UK.