Article about breastfeeding exclusively,can you believe it?

[memz]

I can't believe it!! So now were back at scare one with starting solids at 4 months??!! http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/14/six-months-breastfeeding-babies-scientists 

[staceychev]

I dunno. I watched my cousin literally wait until her daughter's 6 month birthday to introduce food. Really? Those one or two days in either direction are gonna hurt her? I think there's a tendency to take these lines as hard and fast instead of as guidelines. Both of my kids started solids after four months, but before six months. I watched for readiness and they both started around 5, 5-1/2. 

Honestly, I don't know that this is the battle I'm interested in getting worked up about as far as a "breastfeeding advocate." My daughters started solids before 6 months, yes, but the older one had breastmilk until the age of four, and the baby will get it as long as she wants to as well. I'm more interested in seeing science that pushes breastfeeding longer, with or without the introduction of solid food. It's not breastfeeding vs. solid food, in my mind, but breastmilk vs. formula. 

[Buzzer Beater]

Patti Rundall, of the campaigning group Baby Milk Action, said moving to weaning at four months would be "a regrettable and backward step that is out of step with current scientific thinking".

She accused the paper's authors of taking funds from the babyfood industry. The paper acknowledges that three of the four authors "have performed consultancy work and/or received research funding from companies manufacturing infant formulas and baby foods within the past three years". 

You can get people to say anything I guess... it's frustrating when "scientists" can't get their stories straight. It's either science or it's not IMO, but hard to tell depending on who's talking.

Not much I can do with this babe anyway, she won't eat much of anything.

[ProtoLawyer]

Originally Posted by memz 

I can't believe it!! So now were back at scare one with starting solids at 4 months??!! http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/14/six-months-breastfeeding-babies-scientists 

I give up.

Find a scientist to say one thing and you'll find a scientist to say another. Witness: The egg. The pendulum swings between EGGS BAD! CHOLESTEROL BAD! YOU GET ONE A WEEK! and EGGS ARE PERFECT FOOD!

Remember the 80s when sugar was horrible because "science" said so and everyone ate oat bran because "science" said so? Remember the 90s when fat was horrible and everyone ate sugar-laden Snackwells? Remember just a few years ago when "carbs" were horrible and everyone ate Atkins-branded mystery stuff? 

My dad had high blood pressure, so his doctor sent him to a nutritionist who designed a diet low in sodium, high in potassium. Then, he developed renal disease (probably due to taking a colonoscopy prep formula which has since been recalled and a class-action lawsuit filed because it caused renal disease), and was sent to a different doctor and a different nutritionist who designed a diet low in potassium, and high in sodium, because the sodium will flush out the potassium and it's easier to treat the high blood pressure with drugs than it is to treat the renal disease with drugs.

Feh. Doctors.

My son will start solids (well, inasmuch as he has not already consumed dog hair) at or around 6 months because he's at or around 6 months now and he's just beginning to show readiness. Not much I can do at this point, either way.

[Hannah32]

I agree with the PP. The recommendations are always changing. Personally, I started at 4 months on the advice of our pedi. But to be completely honest, I don't think it really matters all that much.

[AFWife]

A friend shared this with me:

‎"Three of the four authors of this study, Mary Fewtrell, Alan Lucas and David Wilson, receive funding from the baby food industry. Prof Lucas in particular plays a key role in advising the UK baby food industry, and has opposed the WHO r...ecommendation for many years. In 2003 he went so far as to appear for the defence when one of the largest baby food companies, SMA Wyeth was successfully prosecuted for illegal advertising by Trading Standards."
- http://www.lisanorthover.com/2011/01/more-on-that-breastfeeding-study.html

"When considering this analysis it should be noted that three of the four authors have declared an association with the baby feeding industry. Less breastfeeding and earlier introduction of solid food will lead to greater profit for this industry."
- Unicef UK response (http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/unicef_uk_response_to_BMJ_article_140111.pdf)

 

Science? Whatever...

[staceychev]

Not all all surprising, sadly.
 

Originally Posted by AFWife 

A friend shared this with me:

‎"Three of the four authors of this study, Mary Fewtrell, Alan Lucas and David Wilson, receive funding from the baby food industry. Prof Lucas in particular plays a key role in advising the UK baby food industry, and has opposed the WHO r...ecommendation for many years. In 2003 he went so far as to appear for the defence when one of the largest baby food companies, SMA Wyeth was successfully prosecuted for illegal advertising by Trading Standards."
- http://www.lisanorthover.com/2011/01/more-on-that-breastfeeding-study.html

"When considering this analysis it should be noted that three of the four authors have declared an association with the baby feeding industry. Less breastfeeding and earlier introduction of solid food will lead to greater profit for this industry."
- Unicef UK response (http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/unicef_uk_response_to_BMJ_article_140111.pdf)

 

Science? Whatever...

[P.J.]

Yeah, infuriating that the baby-food industry was behind this.

I was pretty annoyed when my SIL came waving an article about this "study" in my face when DS was about 4 months old, saying my breast milk was not enough. It was one of those "I will not discuss this with you" moments.

...yet another reason why BLW is the way to go. No need for "baby food", and no need to set a magical date to start solids. Go by the signs of readiness and problem solved.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

...yet another reason why BLW is the way to go. No need for "baby food", and no need to set a magical date to start solids. Go by the signs of readiness and problem solved.

Yes, indeed! Mama instinct + baby instinct + careful observation are a good combo.

nak

[newmamalizzy]

What on earth did the poor cavepeople do without a food mill handy for their 4 month olds' berries and animal flesh????