Guidelines - When and by who they were introduced.

I have heard time and again that the guidelines change 'all the time' or were 'different 1/2/3/4/5 years ago when I had my first baby'. This is simply not true.

Weaning guidelines changed from 4-6 months to 'around 6 months' in 2003.

Previous to this The COMA report ‘Weaning and the Weaning Diet’ (1994) recommended that:
“Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for infants. Mothers should be encouraged
and supported in breastfeeding for at least four months and may choose to continue to
breastfeed as the weaning diet becomes increasingly varied. The majority of infants
should not be given solid foods before the age of four months, and a mixed diet should
be offered by the age of six months" Which was the basis of the 4-6 months guidelines.

Concluding that weaning too early or too late
can result in behavioural and health problems and in family stress, COMA stated that:
‘Weaning should not start before neuromuscular coordination has developed sufficiently
to allow the infant to eat solids, nor before the gut and kidney have matured to cope with
a more diverse diet.’ Introduction of solid foods

The World Health Organisation revised its guidance in 2001, to recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infants’ life. At the World Health Assembly, the UK represented by the Chief Medical Officer supported this resolution.

In 2001, the UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) stated that there was
sufficient evidence that exclusive breastfeeding for six months is nutritionally adequate.

Following WHO’s revised guidance, Hazel Blears (then Minister for Public Health) announced the Department of Health’s recommendation on breastfeeding in May 2003.
(as reproduced from department of health infant feeding recommendation may 1st 2003) This is also supported by The Royal College
of Midwives and the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors’ Association so any Health Visitors agreeing with or suggesting weaning earlier than 26 weeks is in fact, going against their authority.