another breastfeeding thing :)

I get the Coles Baby Magazine, I read an article in there that i thought
people might find helpful and/or interesting;

'Until recently the recommended age for starting soilds for baby was four
months, latterly, however, healthcare professionals are advising to delay
the introduction of solids to six months of age. This is the position
adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which recommends "to achieve
optimal growth, development and health, infants should be exclusively
breastfed for the first six months of life." Breastmilk alone is certainly
nutritionally adequate for babies up until the age of six months and the WHO
advice is in line with additional research that has shown that delaying the
introduction of solids may also reduce the risk of babies developing
infections, food intolerances and allergies....'

this is part of an article i found about it

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/justbm.html

'The Australian Breastfeeding Association has, for many years, encouraged
parents to delay introducing solids until around six months of age.
Therefore, ABA welcomed the recent announcement that the new Australian
Dietary Guidelines just released by The National Health and Medical Research
Council (NHMRC) advises that babies should receive only breastmilk for the
first six months.
These guidelines outline the latest scientific evidence and mirror what our
association has been saying for years - that babies should be fed only
breastmilk for the first six months. Even when solids are introduced
gradually, breastfeeding should continue until one year and beyond - for as
long as the baby and mother desire.

The NHMRC is setting a target of 50% of mothers 'exclusively' breastfeeding
until six months. At the moment it is under 20%. (Exclusive breastfeeding
means babies receive no other foods, juice, vitamins, infant formula or
other milks.)

For most babies, there is no need to add to the breastmilk diet any earlier
than six months. There are good reasons for not introducing your baby to
other foods before she is about six months old. Breastfed babies often
reject solids, apart from 'tasting' them, well beyond the first year. Babies
will not benefit from the introduction of solids or other fluids until they
are developmentally ready.'