ArticleAdvances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)2019
Perspective: Should Exclusive Breastfeeding Still Be Recommended for 6 Months?
Article in Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 50 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
50 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 116 citations in OpenAlex.
- Mechanistic Pathways Underlying Breastfeeding Challenges Following Cesarean Delivery: A Systematic Review.Nutrients · 2026Pooled it
- Trends and Research Frontiers on Exclusive Breastfeeding Policy: A Bibliometric Analysis.F1000Research · 2026Pooled it
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of breastfeeding rates, factors influencing breastfeeding and practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).International breastfeeding journal · 2025Pooled it
- Complex intertwined association between breastfeeding practices and household food insecurity: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Maternal & child nutrition · 2024Pooled it
- Determinants of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children in Africa (2013-2023): a comprehensive systematic review highlighting geographic variances, socioeconomic influences, and environmental factors.BMC public health · 2024Pooled it
- Impact of prelacteal feeds and neonatal introduction of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Maternal & child nutrition · 2022Pooled it
- Risk factors for self-reported insufficient milk during the first 6 months of life: A systematic review.Maternal & child nutrition · 2022Pooled it
- The effect of individualized breastfeeding support on exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months, occurrence of breast problems and breastfeeding self-efficacy: randomized controlled study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Trial
- Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profile Variation Throughout Postpartum in Healthy Women in a Brazilian Cohort.Nutrients · 2020Trial
- Decoding the HMO‒microbiome axis: bridging maternal milk to infant health outcomes.Gut microbes · 2026Review
- Breastfeeding at discharge or transfer from the maternity hospital: results from the German Perinatal Statistics 2021.International breastfeeding journal · 2026Article
- Human milk: insights on cell composition, organoids and emerging applications.Pediatric research · 2026Review
- Nurturing Bonds: A Qualitative Exploration of Breastfeeding and Responsive Feeding Practices in Samoan Mother-Infants Dyads.American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · 2026Article
- Hospital Formula Supplementation Postbreastfeeding Initiation, Neighborhood Economy, and Race.JAMA pediatrics · 2026Article
- The Role of Socio-Structural Factors in Influencing Feeding Intentions and Practices Among Mothers with Infants in Mthatha, South Africa.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Healthcare professionals' knowledge and perceptions of infant formulas composition: a comparative study of Spanish pediatricians and pharmacy professionals.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- Compiling an early life human gut microbiome atlas and identification of key microbial drivers.NPJ biofilms and microbiomes · 2025Article
- The effectiveness of a theory‑based health education program on self-efficacy and breastfeeding behaviors continuity of working mothers in Iran.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Variations in dietary patterns in the ancient Greek colony of Abdera: insights from isotopic evidence and Bayesian modelling.Archaeological and anthropological sciences · 2025Article
- Development and results of the German National Strategy for the Promotion of Breastfeeding: a participatory process.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first 6 mo of life (EBF-6). We reviewed the evidence behind concerns related to this recommendation. The risk of iron deficiency among EBF-6 infants can be significantly reduced if delayed cord clamping is performed in all newborns. At the moment there is no population-level evidence indicating that exclusive breastfeeding for 6 mo compared with <6 mo increases the risk of developing food allergies. Mild to moderate maternal undernutrition may reduce amounts of some nutrients in breast milk but does not directly diminish milk volume. Persistent reports of insufficient milk by women globally are likely to be the result of lack of access to timely lactation counseling and social support rather than primary biological reasons. All newborns should have their growth, hydration status, and development carefully monitored. In instances where formula supplementation is required, it should be done under the guidance of a qualified provider taking into account that early introduction of breast-milk supplements is a risk factor for early termination of exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding. We found no evidence to support changes to the EBF-6 public health recommendation, although variability in inter-infant developmental readiness is recognized. We suggest that infant and young feeding guidelines make clear that complementary foods should be introduced at around 6 mo of age, taking infant developmental readiness into account.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.