Benefits from longer breastfeeding: do we need to revise the recommendations?

Abstract

The evidence is well established that breastfeeding results in a reduction of certain health risks. Debate has arisen, however, about the optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding. The general recommendation is to breastfeed newborn babies for 6 months exclusively and then to introduce complementary foods and continue breastfeeding. In industrialized countries, earlier introduction of complementary foods is recommended for preventing food allergy. There are data suggesting such a risk reduction and therefore the argument must be taken seriously. Considering the evidence about earlier introduction of complementary foods, it remains unclear how long the children have been exclusively and partially breastfed. It may well be that children who are breastfed exclusively for 3 months or less benefit from an introduction of complementary foods as long as they still receive partial breastfeeding. If this is true, it remains the first priority to advertise for longer breastfeeding, and only if this fails, the mothers may be advised to introduce complementary foods at a time when they still breastfeed.