Is breastfeeding really good?

The enormous health benefits of breast milk are nothing to discuss or doubt. However, with the results of a recent study, experts will probably have to rethink the best time for exclusive breastfeeding without the need for any supplement. other.

In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a message: 'exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months to help children achieve optimal health, growth and development' . This view is also supported by many of the world's leading pediatricians, whose goal is to provide the best nutrition for babies in low-income countries, where water and food are available. The product is easily contaminated or incomplete. 'In countries where the average per capita income is high, this recommendation is less frantic , ' said Olof H. Jonsdottir (University of Iceland).

Children who are exclusively breastfed for six months have a concentration
iron is lower than children receiving cereal supplements from the 4th month.

But according to a study published in Pediatrics on November 12, babies who eat more infant cereal foods starting at 4 months have a higher iron content than those with babies. He only breastfed for 6 months (note that there is no difference in the rate of anemia between the 2 groups).

To draw that conclusion, 100 babies in Iceland were selected randomly and divided into 2 groups: next to breast milk, group 1 started to be supplemented with other foods in the 4th month while group 2 It must be until the 6th month.

Then, when measuring the growth rate and iron concentration of children when they reached 6 months of age, experts found that although there was no difference between the two groups in terms of weight but iron content in group 1 higher than group 2 with cereals is the main source of supplement, in addition to powdered milk and fruit.

'Currently, we are continuing to explore the biological implications of that difference,' added H. Jonsdottir.