Babies ‘should be breastfed for longer’

THE Department of Health has changed its guidelines on breastfeeding after a review was carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

New evidence has emerged of the added advantages of breastfeeding babies until they are at least six months old.

A worldwide review of research evidence on breastfeeding commissioned by the WHO shows there are added advantages to delaying the introduction of solid foods to breastfed babies.

As a result the department is now encouraging breastfeeding mothers to delay the introduction of any food or drink, other than breast milk, until their babies are six months old.

Up to now, the recommendation was that babies should be breastfed only until they were four to six months old but research suggests 92% of mothers were introducing solids to their mainly formula-fed babies before four months.

Most breastfed babies get all the nutrition they need from breast milk until they are six months old and the early introduction of solid foods can spark an allergic reaction and cause obesity later on.

Maureen Fallon, national breastfeeding coordinator at the department's Health Promotion Unit, said there was now compelling evidence that breastfeeding could have a significant impact on a healthy life.establishing the foundation for a lifetime of optimal health.

Exclusive breastfeeding prevents babies against infectious and chronic diseases and reduces mortality caused by common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia.

Mothers are also being encouraged to continue breastfeeding up until the age of two years or beyond.

Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rate in Europe with only 37% of new mothers breastfeeding their babies after being discharged from the maternity hospital or the care of their midwife. After six weeks only 20% will still breastfeed their babies.

President of Cuidiú the Irish Childbirth Trust AnnMarie Smith, said they would be supporting mothers in adhering to the new guidelines for as long as they could.

"Obviously, with maternity leave not being as good as it is in other countries it will be harder for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the six months and for as long as possible after that."