The scientific evidence of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months

Abstract

A summary of the review prepared by Kramer and Kakuma on exclusive breastfeeding. Appropriate breastfeeding practices are fundamental importance for growth, development, health and nutrition of children. Therefore, the optimal duration of
Exclusive Breastfeeding is a of the WHO's concerns. The long debate about optimal duration of AME has centered on the
supposed “weaning dilemma” in developing countries in which refers to the choice between the known effects EBF protectors
against infectious diseases and the (theoretical) Insufficiency of breast milk to meet the needs of babies from the point
of view of calories and micronutrients required after 4 months of life. At the beginning of 2000, the WHO commissioned
a systematic review on the optimal duration of AME. More than 3000 references were identified. Studies were selected
and analyzed comparing EBF from 4 to 6 months “versus” 6 months, in terms of growth, iron status, morbidity, atopic
diseases, motor development; and loss of postpartum weight and maternal amenorrhea.