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Six months' exclusive breastfeeding reduces gastrointestinal infections

Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal infection and no demonstrable adverse health effects in the first year of life according to a study in the August edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

An observational cohort study nested within a large randomized trial in Belarus compared 2862 infants exclusively breastfed for 3 months (with continued mixed breastfeeding to 6 months) with 621 infants who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months.

From 3 to 6 months, weight gain was slightly greater in the 3-month group, as was length gain, but the 6-month group had a faster length gain from 9 to 12 months and a larger head circumference at 12 months.

A significant reduction in the incidence density of gastrointestinal infection was observed during the period from 3 to 6 months in the 6-month group [adjusted incidence density ratio: 0.35 (0.13, 0.96)], but no significant differences in risk of respiratory infectious outcomes or atopic eczema were apparent

Kramer MS et al (2003) Infant growth and health outcomes associated with 3 compared with 6 mo of exclusive breastfeeding. Am J Clin Nutr 78: 291-295 [Abstract]