First off, who said anything about the GOVERNMENT? Second, get off your high horse.

"Government" was a figure of speech, but I should have realized there would be someone who was incapable of understanding the use of sarcasm

I'll get off my high horse when you get a clue. If you don't like my posts, feel free to ignore them.

Here here kc-2656817 couldn't agree more!

kc - You're kind of rude. Internet anonymity going to your head?

This is a prime example of why people need to think for themselves. "Those people" tell us one thing, and then a few years later they do a complete turnaround. This is happening more and more from "studies". That is why I think for myself and use my own common sense.

You're kind of rude. Internet anonymity going to your head?

No. I'm like this in real life, too.

But if you really are in trouble, I'll be there to help in any way I can.

That's who I am, online or off.

I guess nature didn't do a good enough job. Or are we destroying ourselves with all this man made processed food?

Either way we can fix ourself without extra additives.

The more we move away from our natural foods the more we depend upon man made products and our bodies will evolve to a usless vessel that can't function without outside help. And that is exactly what the big corporation want. Because then we have to buy our life from them.

Wake up world, big corporations are destroying us.

If you can't figure it out, please put the poor child up for adoption.

I remember how terrified I was when I had my first daughter. I breastfed my daughter for a year because I was told thats what was best for her. Babies do not come with manuals, and your right, no two children are alike, but your statement is pretty presumptuous that just because a parent has questions they are not qualified to care for a child.

Very poor story, no link to original research, just opinions of what the study revealed, if anything.

It would have been a far better story if it contained some facts.

I understand KC angst however I agree with Hallen, young mothers are scared and we no longer live in multi-generational homes so often there is no one to talk "common sense" to a young mother. Pair that with a lack of sleep and young mothers will believe anything. I have four children ages 20-3 years ....it is a difficult ( though wonderful) journey AND no two children are alike.

I have been reading more and more on long term breast-feeding benefits, (waiting to completely wean until 18- 30 months of age) However, you never read that the government or British researchers supporting these studies.......hmmmm, that would keep much of the work force not "producing and working " I have been on MSNBC too much ---now I sound like a conspiracy theorist.....maybe we can blame it on Aliens? :)

Hallen, you're right sweetie, and I'm sorry.

But didn't you have a mom to teach you about it? Grandmother? Aunt? We used to teach our girls how to mother.

kc - No. I'm like this in real life, too.

Oh, the fact that you're rude in real life as well makes this a whole lot better. Thanks for not being an internet fake.

Make no mistake, the government will be more then glad to jump into this fray, if they can. KC - maybe you meant "establishment?"

Mr. or Ms. Anti-Government. Are you willing to adopt the children that these mothers "can't figure it out"? This is a study by British researches. It has nothing to do with the government. But, I see where you are going with this; it's Obama's fault.

kc- actually, many of us don't have anyone to teach us how to parent, we need books and studies to figure it out- my mom does when I was 8 and all my grandparents are dead- plus my dad really doesn't know this kind of thing much- I know I'm not the only one. If you don't need studies, fine, but just because I have to do research doesn't mean I shouldn't parent.

kc,

Yes, In my case, I tried to do things quite differently from the way I had been raised. I have never met my aunts or uncles, and my grandparents were dead before I was born. Thats not to say that my parents are bad people, only that I wanted to raise my children differently.

My daughter, Grace, came at a very difficult time in my life. (In summation, I lost one life and gained another.) Hence, the name. And since the moment I saw her I knew I was meant to be her mother, yet at the same time, how could I not be terrified? This little person depended on me for everything, and every choice I made would effect her life. Being a Parent is (in my opinion) the hardest job in the world, and sometimes its not always black and white as to what we should or should not do.

Waiting to wean a baby could increase the occurrence of food allergies and iron deficiency, the BBC reported, citing the study in the British Medical Journal.

That's ironic. In most of the modern books I've read it says the opposite: If you start your kid on solids too early, it may contribute to allergies later on. Interesting.

So, I take it that the human race didn't survive for 6,000 - 20,000+ years ( depending on your beliefs) and we don't have 4 billion something people on the planet....but now all will be fine....they did a study....

In the 1970's they were warning of the coming ICE AGE....and now it's Global Warming.....study after study.....which does anyone believe ???

There's nothing wrong with breastfeeding, no matter how long you choose to do it. Breastfeeding is a priviledge a mother has only once in a childs life, there's no reason to give it up before you're ready. :)

Naturally, breastfeeding does have to end someday... but why does it have to end on a set date at a set time?

I have 2 kids, born one year and 10 days apart. From the start, my daughter wanted nothing to do with nursing. It was hard work for her and took too long for her to feel full...so I pumped and she got bottles....we were both happy. She was on solid foods at 5 mos. When my son was born, the only time he wanted to stop nursing was when he was asleep. He refused any solid food for almost 8 mos. She's stocky and he's skinny as can be.... but before anyone uses this to write a study about introducing foods early, it would be important to realize that she was born short and stocky, and he was born long and lean.... Food vs. nursing has nothing to do with it, especially when you consider that there is a large portion of babies now who are formula-fed or at least supplemented with formula. Girls, ladies, dads, caregivers, do what feels right to you and makes your baby content. Screw the age guidelines!

Adam --
Oh, the fact that you're rude in real life as well makes this a whole lot better. Thanks for not being an internet fake.

You're beginning to sound a little rude yourself. LOL

As I've said before, if you don't like my posts, ignore them.

Hallen --

This little person depended on me for everything, and every choice I made would effect her life.

The only way to avoid having a child grow up to believe you were less than a stellar parent is to brainwash the kid from birth. I'm not sure even that would work, although I've been watching, (with horror), a friend's daughter try it on her son.

IMO, kids learn your real values and true life-view regardless of anything you say or do. You can't prevent it and you can't create an optimum environment. The more you try, the more you will teach your kid that the world is an inconsistent place that requires constant vigilance and control. An alternative is to have faith in the bond between you and your baby. That bond will reliably guide your choices and behavior if you let it.

Maybe it was guiding you, all along. Maybe your child needed extended breast-feeding.

I'm sorry you didn't have anyone, but congratulations on being a mom who deeply cares.

Mike in Delray, the general consensus is that humans are somewhere in the vincinity of 2 million years old a a species and there are currently nearly 7 billion people on earth and rising. I dunno about your views on the young earth stuff but i figured there was pretty broad consensus about the 6 nearing 7 billion figure.

Mike in Delray -

You should probably check your facts...

Also it is believed that Global Warming will bring on an Ice Age...

Your post is amusing but very, very true. But, it's true only for "West-ern" women. The rest of the world knows better.

Agreed. Our pediatrician had me add cereal to his diet at about 4 months. It extended his sleep time, which was blessedly welcome to me after 16 weeks of only sleeping a few hours at a time. It also decreased the amount of vomiting after feedings because he wasn't consuming so much breast milk at a time.

He's 8 years old, thin, fit, active and smart. I think my pediatrician knew what he was doing.

My children are 48 & 53 now. When I brought daughter home from the hospital, it was like I was feeding her 20/7. Couldn't satisfy her. Called the Dr. and he said to start her on baby oatmeal cereral as she wasn't filling her tummy enough. Two weeks old and started on solids 'back then'. Both were getting all the Gerber's Infant food on the grocery shelf by two months. Grew into strong, healthy kids who liked their 'veggies and meats".

I don't know why this seems to indicate an "either/or" type of situation: either introduce solid food or keep breastfeeding? Maybe bad reporting on the part of MSNBC rather than a bad study?

You can both bf and feed kids solid foods. There is no need to wean just because a kid wants to eat solids! And solids can be introduced when a child is ready (reaching for foods, interesting in eating), on an individual schedule.

Cultures that rear children in more natural ways (extended bf and the rest) don't have a problem with kids eating too much sugar and not enough leafy greens. I don't think hunting and gathering moms in days of yore had to run around telling their offspring to lay off the berries and have some greens. Western culture has a lot of diet issues, but I don't think that too much bf can be blamed. Very few mothers bf past a few weeks or months, so I don't know why a study would be needed to encourage mothers to wean. Most mothers already do, for a variety of reasons.

The first line of the article states, "Feeding solid food earlier and not relying solely on breastfeeding for the first six months might benefit babies, a team of researchers say in a new study." What a waste of time and energy these so-called researchers expended!

Here is a the first sentence from another potential article. Feeding arsenic to children MIGHT kill them! This article is as worthless as one written several months ago when a vulcanologist predicted another earthquake in Haiti, without provided any timeline. Some prediction, and just like this article, worthless. Without a greater degree of specificity said research is worthless scientifically.

I think this was a bad report and a bad study. Please tell me that taxpayers didn't fund it.

I think all babies are different. I stopped breastfeeding my son when he was just 2 months old and switched to formula and began to introduce other food (mainly cereal) at 3-4 mths. he was a good eater as a baby and now doesnt eat a wide variety of foods, at 6 he would rather go hungry then eat a vegtable.

My daughter on the other hand was breastfeed until 2 months shy of her 2nd birthday and introduced to other foods at about 4 months, she didnt like cereal so she was given fruits and veggies. At 2 1/2 she will eat anything that is placed in front of her whether it be spinich and brussel sprouts to apples and oranges. She is a great eater. Both of my children are above average in height and neither are over weight.

With that said like others have also said let your baby decide. They are all different. Regardless I think some kids will be picky eaters and some will be good eaters. I do remember however my doctor prescribing vitamins for my daughter because she was breastfeed and not formula fed where no vitamins were prescribed for my formula fed son. Besides the WHO recommends breastfeeding until your child is 2, as well as feeding solids. So I dont know why this article makes it sound like your should take away the bood at just 4 mths.

feeding your baby cereal at 2 weeks is crazy. your baby was probably going through a growth spurt (they do that at 2-3 weeks of age) and wanted to feed more, milk. For me 4 months was a touch early, but ok in some, we did 5 months with my daughter, but I took it slow too. (FYI I breastfed til 9 months)

I am amazed at the experts in this column. Take the research for what it is. It suggests that you may feed your child cereal well before it has been previously thought. No more, no less. While many young mothers have other mothers helping them, I am sure there are many with no outside support system. I expect they might find this information helpful.

This study helps to balance the other side of the coin - the breast feeding fanatics. Those people who would make the young mother feel guilty because she did not breast feed exclusively for the first twelve months. I find it amazing that an entire profession has sprung up around breast feeding, namely "lactation specialists". I'm sure they are needed in special circumstances, but they also seem to do well at making mothers feel the pressure to breast feed out of guilt.

Research in medicine is how medical knowledge is advanced. Unless you are an expert writing in a column like this.

Nitrot, let's not be sanctimonious. If the kid could handle it and it worked out for him/her, then really, is it a big deal?

It can, and I guess that is ok, BUT I think people are recognizing the wrong symptoms is all.

(when it is an acid reflux issue, then that is totally different)

John have you ever breastfed? It doesn't always come as easy as it seems. For some moms/babies it's not just a "simple " stick the boob in the mouth and bam it all works perfectly. As was mentioned before we are no longer in multigenerational homes, and many do not have the support of immediate family/friends to "teach" them. BF'ing may seem "natural" but sometimes we need help to get it down, mom may need help, babe may need help, it's a joint effort and both people involved have to learn how to do it right to be mutually beneficial.

I absolutely 100% agree with you that there are some people who push breastfeeding too much to the point of making a mom feel inadequate if they don't "meet" that persons standards and expectations, but at the same time that does not mean that we do not need people who are an expert in that field to help those of us who need/want/ask for that help. You say this "study" helps to balance the fanatics-no it doesn't. I'm sorry, but study's are meant to be scientific and show facts, this does no such thing. Balance for the fanatics already exists in the form of formula companies and those who insist formula is better, easier and optimal, that is the "balance".

Though true balance would come from people being mutually supportive of one another and their choices with their children. I chose to bf my daughter until she self weanted (at 24 months) because it was working for us and was the best for my daughter. I had many friends who did not choose that same path and I was "priviledge" to multiple comments about how I was "torturing" and "damaging" my child for bf'ing so long...sorry but she's a healthy, happy, well adjusted toddler and better for the extended bf'ing in my opinion. I on the other hand choose to encourage and love the people in my life regardless of whether they choose to parent differently than I do. whether that means fomula, breastfeeding, rice cereal at a few months old or whatever other decisions individuals make in the best interest of their family and their child, we as adults and parents need to support and encourage one another not criticize and tear each other down.

My mom moved in with me right before I had my son. She helped in every way she could but she couldn't help me with breastfeeding. She didn't BF any of her kids cuz she was young and moved in with my fathers family. He had 4 brothers and she didn't feel comfortable doing so around them. My son had trouble latching so I pumped until my supply was to low

What this article shows me the that humans, babies included, have this thing called a metabolism. In some people it runs at a faster pace than others. Some people need more calories to fuel their bodies. A new mother needs to pay attention to their child, and try to figure out what they, as an individual, need to be healthy. Some children will need more calories, others won't. Also as a mother you will see cycles in calorie needs when the child goes through a growth spurt. The most important thing is to listen to your child - if they say they are hungry feed them healthy food. And yes infants will tell you what they need. If they refuse to eat something, they either don't like it, or they aren't hungry. Parenting is trial and error. Hopefully as parents we figure out our kids without too many errors.

I have 2 kids, both very different eaters. One has a high metabolism, and there were times I felt like she would never stop eating. The other was a picky eater, and textures really bothered her (at 13 she still prefers her vegetables raw to cooked). She had a hard time as a baby with the cereals if they were the wrong consistancy. Both of my kids also said goodbye to baby food when it came to the "meat" varieties. Those are just disgusting! My rule for my kids with baby food is if it tasted bad to me, why would they like it?

As for breastfeeding and nutrion, the breast milk is only as healthy as the mother's diet. If the mother doesn't eat the right foods, she can't pass it to her child. For some mothers, formula might be a better option nutrionally, for others breast milk is great. What you choose for your child has to work for both parties involved. A mother shouldn't feel guilty because one option doesn't work for her and her child.

Actually it doesn't say any different than what they have been saying for quite a long time now My oldest daughteris 25 and when she was born they recommended introducing cereal or fruit or juice at 4-6 months and they still do ( I just had my first grand-baby so I've been doing a lot of reading on it again). Here in America where we have plenty of food most people do it about 4 months or sooner. I always took it to mean that you could wait until 6 months if you wanted to or needed to. To me it was easier to BF for many reasons and I'm happy that my daughter is doing it. Personally I couldn't wait to do new things with my baby, so as soon as I thought it was OK to try it (offering new foods ) we did.

A long time ago like when I was a baby in the 60s they thought differently and introduced cereal sooner but it didn'r hurt anybody. No matter how you feed your baby it all evens out by the time they get to be 1 or 2.

I added the cereal to stop the vomiting, which is clearly stated above. The fact that it increased the duration of his sleep was a sign that he wasn't getting enough to eat via breast milk alone. Our doctor was concerned by the fact that he wasn't gaining weight quickly enough and he never slept for more than 2-3 hours at a time, even at 4 months old.

But hey, thank you so very much for passing judgement without knowing the facts. Most excellent of you.

Skeptic- we did the same with our second child, actually added it at the drs. suggestion at 5 days old. He had pyloric stenosis. Nursed him for 17 months. Both of my children were breastfed, both were slender, healthy, and active. Both were the smaller kids in their grade and middle school classes both ended up much taller than average. Both had solid food beginning very young ( just a teaspoon of cereal mixed with my milk). One loved to eat everything, the other was the pickiest eater in the world (and still is). No food allergies either.

If people of normal intelligence ranges would just learn to trust their instincts about what is right for their children the children would turn out ok. I am so sick and tired of all the EXPERTS telling us how the kids should sleep, how they should eat, and all the other freaky advice that seems to get generated my someone's early child development thesis (created by someone who doesn't actually have a child of their own in many cases).

There are people who might, due to disability or incorrect up bringing, need this advice and guidance. But the rest of us need to trust the instincts we were born with.

I breastfed my first baby exclusively for 6 months before introducing solids with no problems at all. I breastfed both children for a full 12 months, as I introduced solids.

My son was vomiting every single time he nursed. Not spitting up, actually vomiting. He was miserable and I smelled bad. (Just adding a little levity here.)

My diet was severely limited to chicken, certain natural grains, only certain vegetables and water to see if we could get it under control. No fruit, no beef, no bread, and so on. Our pediatrician even sent us to a specialist before the two of them recommended introducing a little rice cereal with each feeding. I mixed the cereal with breastmilk and a splash of pear juice that was designed to aid the digestion. It was all organic. Voila, problem solved the first time he ate the cereal.

As everyone but Hudson and Miss Kitty point out, each child is different and you have to adjust accordingly.

talheure: Well, the "results" are in: We managed not to kill or stunt our kids, now ages 36 & 42. They are normal, healthy, not overweight adults who eat better than their parents. ( Well, one does-lol). He was screaming his head off as he apparently needed MORE than formula @ 3months, so we gave him rice cereal. And yes, he had pyloric stenosis until the muscle "matured @ 17 months of age.

And we put him to sleep on his stomach-(HORRORS) TO AVOID ASPIRATING. Our 2nd. was put on his side assisted by small baby pillows on his back. This was way back when SIDS was just coming to the forefront.

"We just scratch our heads every time we hear that the "correct" sleeping position has changed. I cannot even imagine what motive drives that"

Putting kids to sleep on their backs prevents SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.) Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign was begun, there has been a more than 50% decline in the number of deaths from SIDS (this information is from the CDC.) So, keeping more babies alive is the motive that drives the change in sleeping position.

WJH....how about getting funding for a study on how to get funding for a study?

I haven't seen anything in the article or the posts indicating that breastfeeding is a negative. Based on so many stories in the press in recent years about offices that provide rooms for pumping, outcry over businesses that object to women breastfeeding, breastfeeding programs thru hospitals, etc... I'd say that it's very widely accepted.

Certainly all of the mom's on this thread seem to be in favor of breastfeeding.

No one is saying that there is anything wrong with breastfeeding. Please read the actual study as it is in the BMJ. All the authors are saying is that there is evidence that shows that it is good to introduce kids to solids earlier than six months and that exclusively breastfeeding for six months sometimes does not give kids all of the nutrition that they need.

They do not say there is anything negative about breastfeeding and actually say that Moms SHOULD breastfeed, but that kids need more than just breastfeeding and that introducing food earlier might help alleviate allergies.

I had a child who refused to potty train until she was 4. She was my sixth child, and all of my girlfriends were telling me it was something I was doing wrong. She was long past solid food when she was potting trained, and she changed her own pullups! She is now an extraordinarily well adjusted 15 year old, budding ballerina, all honors classes, and just a really sweet girl. But guess what - when she sets her mind towards, or against something, look out! Fortunately, she has a great set of values. Oh yes, and she is potty trained!

Hahahahahaha!

Hudsons, there has only been one person on this thread who mentioned weaning their child. Furthermore, the majority of the posts here are from women who are clearly proponents of breastfeeding.

Most doctors today recommend that you continue to breastfeed your child as you introduce solid food. Personally, I even used breastmilk mixed into the organic rice cereal that I used to augment his liquid diet.

I agree completely that breastmilk was designed for our babies and that there is overwhelming evidence that it is by far the healthiest choice in the first year. I'm sure that most people posting here agree.

I agree with the folks who say every baby is different. Both of my girls had allergies at birth. They became congested every time they nursed and developed breathing problems. I kept taking foods out of my diet to cure it. No nuts, no wheat flour, no citrus fruits, no broccoli, everything organic, etc. All of things removed from my diet made me unhealthy, as well. My doctor, who was a firm proponent of breastfeeding, finally suggested trying soy milk. In both cases, the difference was immediate and dramatic: congestion disappeared and they were healthy and happy.

It may be true that breastfeeding is best for most babies, but not for all. Historically, some women had wet-nurses for their children, perhaps for the same reason. One can only conjecture about the cause and effect...but don't assume that women who bottle feed are doing it because of their stupidity, laziness, or selfishness. One size, or one solution, does NOT fit all.

but the article used the term "wean"- do they even know what that means?

But weaning doesn't mean to stop feeding the child breast milk or formula immediately.

Weaning a child is a process that begins when other foods are introduced, as separate offerings, not added to milk, and ends months or years later when the child moves to taking all their fluids from a cup.

And, btw, has anyone ever read the ingredients on the can of formula that is sold today? I can't believe it. I call it toxic waste. What is wrong with Carnation milk, cut with a little water?

And even more importantly asked, what is wrong with milk from the breast??! Compared to it, anything from a can, including Carnation milk, is toxic waste. There is absolutely no way that a 4 month old child is going to get the nutrition necessary by drinking watered-down Carnation milk. And, the formula we give has rocket fuel in it....or bug parts...take your pick!! My pick...milk I make that comes from me and is perfect for my baby.

No offense but that's a stupid reason to stop breastfeeding. My daughter did that a couple times too. I'd make her stop nursing when she did and after a few times she didn't bite me anymore. It's not hard to get them to stop biting. I nursed her past 12 months and she now she never gets sick.

Yeah my kids bit me too, I took them off the breast and told them NO!. They bit me again, I did it again. They never bit again after that. Nursed one for 14 months the other for 17 months.

Yep, that biting deal was easily manageable for me, using some of the above techniques. But it takes committment to breastfeed. Not everyone has the time and patience, and because I had a baby who would not potty train, it seems reasonable to me that maybe there is a baby out there who would not stop biting, no matter what the mommy tried.

Carnation milk doesn't have the nutrients or vitamins that are in breast milk or formula so your child would be way worse than if you used formula.

It is much cheaper also!

40 years ago 4 months was considered a long time to bf and usually moms quit when their kids got teeth. Just like feeding carnation milk it's just something we don't do but they used to. We did survive and did fine but we could have done better. Our kids did.

I'm not sure you understood the article. In the very first line the article states that, "Feeding solid food earlier and not relying solely on breastfeeding for the first six months might benefit babies..."

No where in the article is any sort of formula or baby food promoted. The article is merely stating that the transition that every single baby does and must take from milk to solid foods may be able to be taken sooner then guidelines currently state. This isn’t an attack on breastfeeding or an endorsement to formula. It’s an article on a study that may show a change in guidelines is needed.

Ugh. So true. We have sold our country to a country with very low safety standards.

In Britain, "wean" means "introduce solids", not "withdraw milk".

Here in Illinois, when you "wean "a calf you take it away from it's mother (milk source).

The WHO is a government sponsored/funded organization. It's an agency of the United Nations.

The reality is that they're making global recommendations and many may not be applicable to the US. We don't have the same nutrition, water and disease problems that developing nations have. (By the way, not addressing your comment about getting off your high horse.)

They said that the recommendations may not be relevant to developing nations because of problems with the food and water supply.

But really, who cares if solids are added (to a diet of either breast milk or formula) at 4 months versus 6 months?

Oh...the sanctimommies who have nothing better to do than compete for who exclusively breast feeds the longest.

What happens, the sooner solids are added, the less milk, preferably breast milk, will be taken by the child. This milk is required for proper development of many things such as bones and teeth -- which will help prevent osteoporosis & tooth decay later in life, and the heart, vascular & nervous systems.

Baby food makers make their money when the childs young, doctors make their money as people age and start getting diseases related to not receiving proper nutrients at the proper time (ie. nursing)

NEITHER of these people make ANY mony when a mother nurses her baby, PLUS the GOVT' cant tax breast milk..... Please pay attention to who does these studies!!

Of course these 'guidelines' wouldn't apply to certain developing nations - those people would think you were crazy if you told them you had to spend large amounts of money for canned chemicals & little jars of processed foods to feed their baby!

My kids drank just as much boob juice after starting on HORRIBLE small bowls of cereal at 4 months. What can I say, they enjoyed the experience of solids.

Brand me a horrible mother for that.

Simply saying that solid foods can be introduced at a younger age does not mean secret government rule and money. I can count on my two hands the number of jars of babyfood I have purchased for my 2 children .... I made them food, so no one "won" this imaginary battle you are attempting to wage.

Not every mother can breastfeed. Not every mother can breastfeed for 6 months or more. If we are encouraged to try solid foods at a younger age for our children, there is nothing wrong with that. Just use your common sense as a mom to know if you baby is ready .... when he is attempting to steal food off your spoon, give him some .... that is what I did.

My problem is not about introducing foods earlier - I can understand and to some degree, I can agree with that as it relates to allergies. My problem is saying to wean at 4 months old! That is just wrong. Babies still need the nutrition milk provides at that age and the best way to get it is from their mother's breast - not from something produced in a factory.

HUDSONS, it says wean not cut off. It is people like you that need to be spoon fed every piece of information that make the govt. step in.

TALHEURE, not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but that is the entire point. They changed about a decade ago and said not to intro food early for fear of allergies, and the allergies skyrocketed. Now they are saying introduce food earlier to maybe prevent allergies. Hmmm, maybe they recommended something too quick, ummm 16 years ago by your account!!!

I think everyone is falling to see this important point:

The increase in food allergies is ACTUALLY likely related to FORMULA!!!!

IN developped countries, baby's aren't breastfed long enough. Although many more are leaving the hospital being breastfed, mothers give up breastfeeding altogether within 3 months! Then , those babies are put on ARTIFICIAL supplements ie formula

Babies who ARE exclusively BF for 6 months and then CONTINUE to be breastfed after the introduction of solids are FAR less likely to develop allergies. The PROBLEm with these sound bite headlines are that not all the info is given. It is impossible to make a sound scientific conclusion based upon an msn headline.

What the WHO actually says about breastfeeding is you shoudl be BF your baby into toddlerhood and beyond! The recommendation is actually at least 2 YEARS. This children who are following the WHO recommendation of 2 yrs are dramatically more healthy than those who are not following the WHO recommendation.

So, to look at this article in isolation, it MISLEADS people into stopping doing what is truly best for your child... I would bet the baby food companies FUNDED this study, just like the formula companies fund the studies that make you believe it is safe and healthy to give articial, lab created milk....

People don't realise they are being brainwashed into spending their money and the children's health is being hurt by it...

Carmel RN

Frankly I think this is all alot of WHO-ha. Just my unprofessional opinion as a mother of 3 very healthy children who BFd for over a year and exclusively for anywhere from 5-7 months on each. I think it's less connected to when we introduce solids and more about GMOs as well as pesticides and additive and processing. Add that to the hundreds of vaccinations we put into them and they are a virtual chemical soup. I didn't follow anybodies guidelines, rather my children's cues (which as a mother if we pay attention we will see). If tried to introduce solids and they refused, I waited. We are the parents... we know better than some agency that's never met our child. What did we do before we had all of these "expert opinions"?

My child was exclusively formula fed because we adopted. He is now 3 and eats everything. The only foods he will not eat are pickled beets and fried okra. He loves all fruits and veggies. He will pick a banana over a cookie. He has no food allergies at all.

He got solids too starting at 5 months. And I didn't do the whole process of introducing one food at a time. He got whatever we ate. He had 4 top and 3 bottom teeth by 6 months. He didn't like baby food at all -- he wanted the real stuff.

He's normal height, normal weight for his age and too smart for his own good most of the time.

Children died, that's what happened. But to say they died because we didn't have all the benefit of this expert advice is just as absurd as suggesting that vaccinations are bad. You have to go with the statistics and vaccinations have saved more children than they've harmed, by a staggering, undeniable number.

The 'experts' advice changes from day to day or year to year. Use common sense, which includes feeding your child and beginning to introduce foods YOU eat, ground up. Then pay attention to how your child handles it...duh...that's so hard to figure out?

Don't sit there and tell me about putting cereal into bottles and tout the benefits of formula. NO formula is going to be better for a child than breast milk...cuz gosh, we've had millennia to perfect the breast milk, and wow, nobody's making bank on breast milk, are they? So there's no conflict of interest between health and money although, of course, corporations care more about our well being than their bottom line, right?

And also don't sit there and tell me how healthy your baby was if you had a 9 lb baby. YOU and your baby gained too much weight. We have a childhood and adult obesity problem, which cannot be accounted for based on diet and exercise completely. There is SOME INDICATION that perhaps it's all these big fat babies and baby mamas that may be the root cause. I guess we'll find out eventually. Too small isn't good either, but too big may be just as bad.

Correct. 60 years ago parents who didn't breast feed mixed Carnation or Pet milk in a can with warm water. Then would feed soft cereal with mashed up banana or applesauce. My friends, relatives, or any classmates had no allergies. In Germany we had diluted tea (yes tea) and mashed potatoes, gravy, and mashed noodles for the babies. Back then the concept of "organic" wasn't thought about.

Wherescommonsense ..... bite me. My son was 9lbs at birth ... he is perfect in development - not fat at all. To be honest, he is ahead developmentally and can hold his own with kids who are older than he is. He speaks well to, especially for a 20 month old. I don't criticize those who can breastfeed for more than 6 months. I could not .... I teach full-time, have an older daughter, and my son was not satisfied with the milk I produced. But .... he did sleep through the night (7 hours) from 3 months on. He is happy and healthy.

Don't make this article a forum to knock other moms who are not able to nurse .... they are great moms for many other reasons and don't need your approval.

omg talheure, sympathetic hugs re. your mother.

Try having a large, Catholic family whose matriarch was big busted but who 'couldn't breastfeed' so therefore none of her descendents could either. This led to phone calls from said matriarch (grandma), mother, aunties...ALL telling me how my normal child was starving because he wasn't getting fed enough, which was proven by comparing him to my cousin's daughter who was bottle fed, eating an 8 ounce bottle (they said this proudly) at a sitting at 2 months old...

This poor baby was FAT, she had sausage like arms and legs, and she was a rolling fat little pig. But she slept through the night at a month, which, of course, is what all parents need and want for a healthy normal child, right?

talheure~ yes, they do. but they are often overbooked and their hours at the hospital are very limitted. plus the one i had my first child in only had one. so good luck seeing them. success is determined by who we are surrounded by. with my first, as soon as she was born i had a nurse + my birthing class instructor (who had BF'd 6 children) + a girlfriend who had BFing experience all right there working with me to get her to latch and nurse. Then as time went on my friend was only a phone call away if i had a question. she was also the one to show me how to do it successfuly in public so i didn't fell locked in my home. having help and support makes a huge difference. i carried that with me through the rest of my children. (my mother only bfd for a few weeks then put me on formula and my grandmother adopted all of her children, so neither of them were able to help me.)

True. And if you are committed to breastfeeding, the La Leche league is a great support.

God forbid we sacrifice our time and energy for our children that we choose to bring into this world. It's such a short time in the grand scheme of things. After about 6 years of pregnancies and BFing I finally have some freedom. And yes, there were times it was hard, but looking back I wouldn't change it. My kids are all very healthy. I'm also one of those who's husband agreed to loose half of our income so I could stay home and when I do go back to work, it will be around their schedule. But again, I signed up for motherhood when I chose to have my children. They are not a burden, but a blessing.

With that said, if you opt not to BF, at least look into your options before you un to the store for a can. Raw goats milk is a great alternative for BM.

um...well God forbid you should give up anything when you make the CHOICE to have a child. I'm comforted (as should your child be) to know that you're taking care of yourself.

Having children REQUIRES sacrifices...so it's really up to you if it's going to be your career, your health (physical and emotional) or your child. Don't give me that bs about having it all, it's not possible. A career requires time and dedication, as do children, and your rest/well-being requires the same. There are only 24 hours in each day, that's an inescapable reality. Choose where you spend them based on your values.

Breastfeeding is a bonding experience. There are chemicals released during the process that emotionally/chemically bond you to your child, the same chemicals that are released during sexual intercourse. I loved it as did my children. The boob was better than a pacifier.

Jessica, what a sad comment. When you bring a child into the world, you have a responsibility to sacrifice for them - they didn't ask to be born! They needs must nearly always take precedence.

But if the mother chooses to not breast feed, who cares really? Should you care? I was able to breast feed, and some of my friends couldn't/wouldn't. All kids are happy and healthy, thriving. I have no negative opinions about women who don't breast feed. They love their children and make just as many sacrifices.

Just sayin...

Jessica: I take that as a compliment, thank you! Although I am not a Le Leche member, you can refer to me as a breastfeeding supporter all you want because I am -- and, gladly so! I fully support it, think ALL women should try it and do it if they can. I respect women who cannot do it and am sorry to know that is a reality for them.

As far as your comment regarding 'leaving it all at the "alter"' and making sacrifices when you have a child. Umm... that's exactly what having a child is all about...at least for me! It's not always comfortable, it's hard and it's about sacrificing. That's what parents SHOULD be doing for their children. If you don't want to make sacrifices, having a child is probably not a good idea.

Thanks again for your compliment!

I did use a double pump and had to pump every 2 hours for atleast 30 minutes to have enought to barely feed my daughter. Different women have different milk supplies. I tried the teas and various methods to increase my production. These are not excuses but life! I absolutely loved breast feeding so stop judging those who aren't able to.

You might want to think about how your judgements might affect a post partem mom who has no milk supply and wants to nurse and between the post partem and guilt of not being able to supply her infant with milk considers suicide. This is fact from someone I know. Others judgments and unkind words can make a world of difference. Why don't you instead try to support and encourage mothers for doing the best they can and raising happy healthy children.

Or what her attitude teaches her children about empathy and tolerance.

Tareena, you do the best you can with what you've got to work with--which is what you've done! By breastfeeding your second child for a couple months, you've already given her a great start in life--more breast milk than the majority of American babies get. The last thing mothers need is more guilt about something they "should" be doing when they are already doing their personal best. Only we can know what our personal best is--and unfortunately, some of us are very hard on ourselves! I breastfed both my kids for two and a half years EACH (naturally, they were eating regular food as well), and I never think about it as positive. All I can think about is the other stuff I didn't do (or did do and maybe shouldn't have done). It certainly hasn't made my children some kind of superkids. In fact, my firstborn has asthma and is sick quite a lot. My secondborn is hardier. Was it worth it? Who knows? All I know is that I did what I could at the time. What kids eat is important, of course, but it's only part of what shapes the rest of their lives.

For many years, I worked in a "natural living" environment and encountered people all the time who believed that any negative life event--learning disabilities, cancer, depression, heartburn, you name it--was the result of some deficiency in lifestyle or belief. I ended up calling the attitude: "do enough yoga and your life will be perfect." Guess what? You can do all the yoga you want and still die of cancer. It happens, and it's not your fault. Common sense tells us to do what we can to make healthy choices and then let it go. Good luck to you and don't be too hard on yourself! You sound like a great mom!

Lee , thanks for the words of encouragement! That is what more if us need to be doing. It's not easy being a mom or parent and obviously we all care a great deal about our children's well being and do as you said what we can and what we think is best! You sound like a great mom and a wonderful person! Glad to have been able to meet you through this thread! You made my day with your nice words!

"no milk supply"- is such a person a mammal? why can't we all just respect eachother's decisions and mind our own business? why do people even feel the need to tell people they had "no milk supply"? unless someone is starving their child, maybe we should everyone should just leave them alone! other people's children are other people's children- forget the "we are a village" notion unless you see something you think is a true emergency, ok?

considering the contradictory findings of supposedly sound scientific studies, it seems that optimal feeding habits are not that obvious. why not concentrate on your own babies and stop trying to lecture people! why don't scientists study something more important- like developing new antibiotics to combat the drug resistant infections that are increasing...

Certainly we can support the various choices women must make. But do not say that anything is better than breast milk.

Who said anything is better than breast milk?

Also as I stated in a later post, formula can be better than breast milk if the mother supplying the breast milk isn't eating a nutrutious and well balanced diet. I know several women who nurse and don't focus on what they are eating or think about how they need the nutrients to pass along to their child through breast milk.

Talheure, thank you so much for your clarification. You showed a lot of class by clarifying your statement to remove any misconceptions or feeling that you were judging her. These boards and emails leave a lot of room for mis-interpretation of the written word.

Yes, thank you Talheure! I've seen a lot of your other posts and noticed your comments above did seem a little out of character. When writing it is sometimes hard to interpret meaning or tone.

Bottom line is I think that the majority of us want the same outcome a happy and healthy child/children and are doing what we can to the best of our abilities to get there!

I just hope we can all remember to only give advice when asked for it and support someone for doing what they feel is best for their child unless what they are doing is abusive or neglectful to their child.

Best wishes to everyone and hope you all have the happiest healthiest little ones!

God Bless America .... breastmilk is best ... but when my sister's husband was dying, her milk was sour. Formula was best .... but go ahead .... make people like her feel bad when they can't produce good milk for thier children.