New breastfeeding advice leaves mums livid, baffled

LONDON - The latest scientific controversy about breastfeeding-mothers should not follow advice recommending that they exclusively breastfeed for the first six months-has left mothers angry and confused.

The confused mums besieged Internet forums and radio phone-ins to express their frustration at the latest controversy about breastfeeding, reports the Independent.

A team at the University of London’s Childhood Nutrition Research Centre suggested that mothers could increase their baby’s protection from allergies and increase their chances of eating a healthier diet later by introducing solid food at the age of four months.

Meanwhile maintaining its six-month advice, the Department of Health said a scientific study already investigating infant feeding would look into the research.

Stuck in the middle, mothers debated the merits of both sides, with many airing their irritation at the confusion.

“The thing is these things always change. I knew this six months thing would be discredited at some point. Then a new idea will come along and that will be discredited and so on and so forth,” complained one mother on Mumsnet.

Joanne Leaver-Cole, from London, emailed the BBC: “What should I do? I have an exclusively breastfed 21-week old baby who I want to do the best for. This is extremely stressful as the evidence is so polarised. I have even received mixed messages from healthcare professionals.”

Janet Fyle of the Royal College of Midwives, said, “I believe that this is a retrograde step and plays into the hands of the baby food industry which has failed to support the six-month exclusive breastfeeding policy in the UK.”

However, Justine Roberts of Mumsnet said, “A lot of mums work quite hard, and it is hard work trying to exclusively breasfeed for six months without introducing solids. If that turns out not to be correct advice, we’d like to know as soon as possible.” (ANI)