NZBA urges caution before changing infant feeding guidelines

22 September 2016

Concern over new child allergy claims: NZBA urges caution before changing infant feeding guidelines

New claims that infants should be given peanuts and other potential allergens at the expense of exclusive breastfeeding has raised concern with New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (NZBA) – a view that is shared internationally by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

“Misinformation given to parents suggesting that exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age is no longer best practice, is premature and incorrect,” NZBA executive officer Julie Stufkens said today.

The Learning Early About Peanut (LEAP) study, led by Professor Gideon Lack at King’s College in London, has led Allergy New Zealand and other health organisations to call for an urgent review of infant feeding guidelines. This includes encouraging the introduction of peanuts and other allergens to infants as young as four months.

Julie Stufkens said that any overaching recommendations need to carefully consider the potential impact on breastfeeding and other child health outcomes for example gastro- disorders, childhood obesity and other imune disorders such as asthma.

“The World Health Organisation recommends infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health,” says Stufkens.

“Thereafter infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.”

“While we welcome new research that aims to improve infant nutrition and health, recommendations need to be considered in a wider context – such as the potential risk of obesity when solids are introduced before six months.”

NZBA’s view is reinforced by WHO’s Dr Laurence Grummer-Strawn, who says while the LEAP trial is an important one in terms of understanding the development of peanut allergies it has limitations.

“It does not provide any evidence that introducing peanuts prior to the current recommended age of six months would be of any benefit,” says Dr Grummer-Strawn.

“In fact, over 75 percent of the children in the LEAP study were older than six months of age at enrolment, so the trial cannot tell us anything about consequences of introducing peanuts before four months of age.”

Dr Grummer-Strawn says there are numerous studies demonstrating the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding for six months and these must be considered alongside new evidence.

“A single outcome, such as a peanut allergy, must be considered in the context of many other health outcomes before making any conclusion that infant feeding guidelines should be changed.”

Julie Stufkens, also the industrial nation’s representative on a number of international breastfeeding committees, said UNICEF nutrition experts have also expressed concern in the wake of the LEAP study.

“UNICEF are adamant that existing guidance on exclusive breastfeeding for infants less than six months needs to be put up front when public health or clinical guidance are developed.

“Parents are advised to talk with a health professional before making any decisions that could impact their child’s future health,” says Stufkens.

-ENDS-

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