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.<\/p>\n
Currently, UK mothers are strongly encouraged to exclusively breastfeed a baby for at least six months.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced this recommendation in 2001, with the UK agreeing to support it in 2003.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Whilst they ‘fully back’ exclusive breastfeeding in the early months, they believe it is time to reevaluate the recommendation of six months.<\/p>\n
The researchers believe withholding of others foods before this point may not always be in the interest of the child.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Doctor Fewtrell says that evidence that breast milk by itself is sufficient nutrition for six months is ‘questionable’.<\/p>\n
In her opinion,there is a higher risk of a baby developing iron deficiency anaemia, a higher risk of celiac disease and also food\u00a0 \u00a0intolerances if children are not introduced to solid food before six months.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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