Current guidelines recommend that solid food be introduced when infants are between 4 and 6 months while breastfeeding is continued
Hidekuni Inadera
They found that children who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life were less likely to develop bronchial asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis than children in the other feeding groups. The association with bronchial asthma was strongest during the first 2 years of life and gradually weakened as the children grew older.
In contrast, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was also associated with a higher prevalence of food allergy and atopic dermatitis. The association with food allergy was strongest in boys and remained evident until approximately 3 years of age.
The researchers note that one possible explanation for the higher prevalence of food allergy is the timing of complementary food introduction. Previous studies have shown that introducing common food allergens, such as eggs and peanuts, between 4 and 6 months of age may help infants develop immune tolerance, thereby reducing the likelihood of food allergies. “Consistent with our results and some previous observations, current guidelines recommend that solid food be introduced when infants are between 4 and 6 months while breastfeeding is continued,” says Prof. Inadera.
The findings suggest that breastfeeding practices should be considered alongside the timing of complementary food introduction when developing strategies to reduce childhood allergies. Further research is needed to better understand how these factors interact.
Source: Toyama Regional Center for the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, University of Toyama