Breastfeeding: benefits and implications. Part two

Abstract

Recent guidelines from the Department of Health recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (26 weeks) of an infant's life with the late introduction of solids being cited as protective against the development of asthma, eczema and atopy. However, it has been suggested that national and international recommendations for the age of introducing solid foods (weaning) are founded on insufficient evidence. In part two of her update, June Thompson looks at the conflicting literature regarding whether exclusive breastfeeding for six months conveys significant benefits for babies and if current recommendations that a delayed introduction of solids is protective against the development of asthma and allergy are supported by the evidence.