UK Researchers Say Breastfeeding May Not Be Enough for Babies' First Six Months

Mothers have breastfed their babies since time began, with doctors and lactation experts encouraging them. Although no one debates the health benefits of breastfeeding babies, a team of British research scientists now questions whether breastfeeding exclusively provides enough nutrition for infants during their first six months of life.

The new findings, published in January 2011 in the "British Medical Journal," stand in contrast to previous recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), the La Leche League International (LLLI) and other breastfeeding advocacy groups.

What is the traditional policy of breastfeeding during a baby's first six months?

In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement, recommending exclusive breastfeeding (whenever possible) for infants in their first half-year of life.

"Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond," WHO's policy still reads.

The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) posts a similar statement: "Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life."

La Leche League International (LLLI) a global breastfeeding support organization, echoes these foundational policies on exclusive breastfeeding of babies, saying "Human milk is the only food that healthy, full-term babies need for about the first six months of life."

But now the British scientific researchers are calling for nutritional supplementation for breastfed babies.

What did the U.K. study uncover about breastfeeding and infant nutrition?

A team of British researchers, headed by pediatrician Mary Fewtrell, M.D., of the University College London's Institute of Child Health, in conjunction with London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, reviewed scientific data from the past ten years and published this statement in the "British Medical Journal" (in January 2011):

"Substantial evidence indicates that early nutrition has profound implications for long term health, by programming aspects of subsequent cognitive function, obesity, risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and atopy."

[Atopy is an allergic hypersensitivity, particularly to certain kinds of foods.]

In their published findings, the team of British pediatric researchers indicated that young babies limited to breastfeeding alone might carry higher risks of celiac disease, food allergies, iron-deficiency anemia and even an aversion to green leafy vegetables.

Dr. Fewtrell and her pediatric medical colleagues (Ian Booth, M.D.; Alan Lucas, M.D., and David C. Wilson, M.D.) recommended a broad-based international review of infant breastfeeding recommendations - not to discourage breastfeeding as the primary source of newborn nutrition, but to consider the need for introducing supplementary foods in babies between four and six months of age.

"We are pleased that the Department of Health has now asked the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) to review its policy on infant feeding, as part of which they will review this paper alongside other emerging evidence," wrote Dr. Fewtrell and her medical research team.

Of course, the new report from Dr. Fewtrell et al persists in recommending exclusive breastfeeding for babies under six months old in underdeveloped countries, where safe foods and clean water may be unavailable, posing higher risk of infant illness and possible death from resulting infections.

Pediatricians and infant nutrition counselors have long debated the merits of exclusive breastfeeding in young babies.

Despite the widely publicized statements from WHO, AAP, La Leche and other pediatric-related organizations, individual physicians and nutritional experts have counseled individual parents to offer solid foods to younger children.

My own children, for example, began eagerly eating simple rice infant cereals at an early age. In their first months, they zestfully enjoyed tiny helpings to supplement regular feedings. This practice did no harm, as my youngsters surpassed health and growth chart averages. As a plus, they slept straight through the night much earlier than most infants.

Perhaps the British pediatric researchers are onto something here.