Weaning of infants.
The WHO 2001 global recommendation is a one size fits all approach to weaning, an approach which may not take sufficient account of the special needs of some infants and fails to allow for the different problems encountered in the industrialised nations compared with economically developing countries. For the healthy normal birth weight full term infant born in an industrialised country, current research supports the benefit of exclusive breast milk feeding until 4-6 months. Evidence of harm through introducing solid food to these infants earlier than this is weak. Infants should be managed individually according to their needs.
Foote
K D
KD
Department Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, Hampshire, UK. keithfoote@doctors.org.uk
Marriott
L D
LD
D000367:Age Factors; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007391:International Cooperation; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom; D014886:Weaning; D014944:World Health Organization