Reviewing the scientific evidence related to recommended age of introduction of complementary foods May 2010
Following a recommendation from the World Health Organisation that babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months and weaning should commence after this, the UKs Department of Health implemented a similar recommendation in the UK.
In recent years the evidence behind the recommendation has been reviewed in some detail and many scientists recommend that since each baby is an individual a single recommendation to wean at six months may not be appropriate.
EFSA
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), through its panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies, was requested by the EU Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on the appropriate age for the introduction of complementary food for infants in the EU. Many European countries have adopted the WHO recommendation for the duration of exclusive breast-feeding of 6 months, whilst other countries recommend the introduction of complementary feeding between 4 and 6 months.
The Panel agrees with the WHO and other authoritative national and international bodies that breast-milk is the preferred food for infants, but the focus in this opinion are the factors which determine the appropriate age for the introduction of complementary food into infants diets. The Panel has evaluated predominantly studies in breast-fed healthy infants born at term for indicators of an appropriate age at which to introduce complementary food irrespective of existing recommendations on breast-feeding duration and on exclusivity of breast-feeding. The Panel has focussed its evaluation on data from developed countries.
On the basis of present knowledge, the Panel concludes that the introduction of complementary food into the diet of healthy term infants in the EU between the age of 4 and 6 months is safe and does not pose a risk for adverse health effects (both in the short-term, including infections and retarded or excessive weight gain, and possible long-term effects such as allergy and obesity). Consistent with these conclusions, presently available data on the risk of coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus also support the timing of the introduction of gluten containing food (preferably while still breast-feeding) not later than 6 months of age. Exclusive breast-feeding provides adequate nutrition up to 6 months of age for the majority of infants, while some infants may need complementary foods before 6 months (but not before 4 months) in addition to breast-feeding in order to support optimal growth and development.
ESPGHAN
The Committee on Nutrition of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) reviewed the age of weaning at the end of 2009 and gave the following recommendation: 'The Committee recently concluded that full or exclusive breast-feeding for around 6 months is a desirable goal. In exclusively or partially breast-fed infants, complementary feeding, such as any solid or liquid food other than breast milk or infant formula and follow-on formula, should not be introduced to the diet of any infant before 17 weeks or delayed after 26 weeks of age.'
The EFSA opinion can be acessed here.
The EFSA opinion can be acessed here.