Abstract:
Recent discussions about the need for revised infant feeding
guidelines in the context of allergy are founded in substantial
evidence-based research. Key studies (Table I)1-5 undertaken in
high-income country settings provide evidence that the introduction
of allergenic foods (eg, cow’s milk protein, egg, peanuts, fish,
sesame, and wheat) to infant diets before the age of 6 months
might significantly reduce the risk of food allergy at older ages.
Although such a strategy does not promote supplanting breastfeeding
with the introduction of a diverse set of foods early on,
it will shorten the duration of exclusive breast-feeding [EBF], replacing
it with ‘‘partial breast-feeding,’’ the combination of
breast-feeding with other fluids or solids, and most likely lead
to a reduction in overall duration of breast-feeding.
