Problems associated with early weaning
Interferes with breastfeeding.
The early introduction of solid foods can reduce the absorption of nutrients from breastmilk (Department of Health, 1994)1. If solid food is given soon before or after a breastfeed, the baby is less able to absorb the iron from the breastmilk. Heinig et al (1993)17 found that solid food given before 6 months generally replaces breastmilk.
Infection
Exposure to the pathogens that are found in food can result in frequent infection in breastfed babies who are fed solids before 6 months (Naylor and Morrow, 2001)9. In particular, the researchers found fewer gastrointestinal and respiratory infections (especially diarrhoea) in infants who were exclusively breastfed for at least 6 months.
Chantry et al (2006)10 found that there is a decreased risk of respiratory-tract infections during the first two years for children who receive only breast milk until they are six months old. They found that infants who were fully breastfed for at least 4, but not 6, months were almost 4 times more likely to develop pneumonia than those who were fully breastfed for 6 months. Recurrent ear infections were almost 2 times more likely.
Obesity
Breastfed babies are known to be less likely to be obese than formula fed babies in childhood and beyond (Reilly et al, 20023; Harder et al, 20054; and others). Similarly the early introduction of solids is associated with increased body fat and weight in childhood. Kalies et al (2005)5 found that exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months protected against elevated weight gain during infancy and early childhood. It is increasingly apparent that appetite and food intake in infancy is linked to weight in later life and there is concern about the rising rates of obesity in this country. Obesity is an underlying factor for many medical conditions, such as heart disease (British Heart Foundation)12 and diabetes (Gerdes, 2003)13, so the link between the timing of the introduction of solids and obesity in later life is an important one.
Blood pressure
A recent study found that children who were exclusively breastfed until at least 6 months had lower systolic blood pressure at 5 years of age than those who were breastfed for a shorter length of time. Since childhood blood pressure is a good indicator of adult blood pressure, the authors conclude that breastfeeding may be important for reducing blood pressure and thus cardiovascular disease risk (Lawlor et al, 2004)7.
Cancer
Children who are exclusively breastfed for at least 6 months are 50% less likely to develop cancer before the age of 15 compared to children who are not breastfed (Davis et al, 1988)8.
Allergies
Not giving solids before 6 months to children from atopic families greatly reduces the risk of eczema at 12 months (Kajosaari and Saarnien, 1983)11.
Iron deficiency
A common concern is that iron stores laid down before birth are quickly depleted and that babies need solid foods alongside breastmilk before 6 months or else they risk iron deficiency. But this is not the case. Pisacane (1995)16 found that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 7 months had significantly higher haemoglobin levels at one and two years of age than breastfed babies who also received solid foods before 7 months. There were no cases of anaemia within the first year in the exclusively breastfed group so the researchers concluded that breastfeeding exclusively for seven months reduces the risk of anaemia.
Growth problems
Babies who are exclusively breastfed for 6 months experience no growth deficits (Kramer et al, 2002)2.
Internal Development
Various enzymes are not present in sufficient amounts to allow adequate digestion of non-milk foods until around the middle of the first year; for instance, the pancreatic enzyme amylase is necessary for the digestion of starches, but it does not reach adequate levels until around 6 months. The carbohydrate enzymes (maltase, isomaltase and sucrase) take a month or so longer. Fat digestion does not reach adult levels until between 6-9 months because of low levels of bile salts and lipase.