tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post8833109300468110535..comments2023-10-28T08:22:06.196+01:00Comments on Analytical Armadillo: Starting Solids - The Facts Behind Today's Media HypeAnalytical Armadillo IBCLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03829027807809292649noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-21298122483808647632012-02-26T20:26:09.875+00:002012-02-26T20:26:09.875+00:00my 4 started to have 'tastes' around 4mths...my 4 started to have 'tastes' around 4mths. I didn't go off health advice or standard practice, I went off the babies queues. Happy to report that none have allergies, speech difficulties or are in any way developmentally disadvantaged. Also never use rice cereal either.alomummahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02911931338619039380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-55740191016269782392011-09-10T22:25:58.451+01:002011-09-10T22:25:58.451+01:00I was particularly interested in this article bein...I was particularly interested in this article being Celiac myself, and having an EBF 25 week old son. I am a nervous wreck trying to figure out when is best, if ever, to introduce gluten into his diet. I became rather excited to see what the article recommended but have to say, I am more confused than ever! I guess I just have to trust that breast milk, and delayed introduction of any solids will be enough! Thanks for sharing.supermansmommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03857604231517679188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-67031792775546764902011-03-16T11:15:02.070+00:002011-03-16T11:15:02.070+00:00I read in this blog archive so nice or interesting...I read in this blog archive so nice or interesting many thanks for your email. We too have been surprised by the misrepresentation of the article in the press. I completely agree. That's why I said specifically that "there are many good reasons out there for formula feeding rather than breastfeeding,I like this lovely or informative blog.Phone Sexhttp://www.humiliateme.co.uk/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-12739127390950860862011-02-22T07:51:59.426+00:002011-02-22T07:51:59.426+00:00I recently came across your blog and have been rea...I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading your post and read the comments. Really a nice post here! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.knowledgecloset.com/" rel="nofollow">knowledge closet</a>Rey Abisanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03521925875451131637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-44657982542619703532011-01-20T12:38:02.056+00:002011-01-20T12:38:02.056+00:00I emailed the BMJ to ask them to try and clarify t...I emailed the BMJ to ask them to try and clarify the facts with the press given how this has been taken as 'advice' by the public and even some health professionals. This is their reply to me today:<br /><br />Many thanks for your email. We too have been surprised by the misrepresentation of the article in the press. I have looked back at the press release and can confirm that it was very measured and accurate in the way it summarised the paper. I will discuss with colleagues what we might do to address this, though I fear that the press's record on correcting misapprehensions they have created is not good. I wonder if a message on Mumsnet wouldn't be the best way to go. I will talk to friends and colleagues who are active on mumsnet. In the meantime, please do send a response to the article on bmj.com, and do consider writing to the press yourself. On a lighter note, it is unusual for a BMJ article to be so instantly picked up by practitioners in the field! All best wishes, FionaSironahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04923388236743828851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-42982295758631582732011-01-18T21:52:05.274+00:002011-01-18T21:52:05.274+00:00Thank you so much for doing this. xxxPeacexxxThank you so much for doing this. xxxPeacexxxBaileykatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-24435569010187425562011-01-18T21:32:57.420+00:002011-01-18T21:32:57.420+00:00It's a shame that this forum about an importan...It's a shame that this forum about an important topic- to do with when best to introduce your child to solids- has turned into a battleground on both sides about formula v breastfeeding. It's important for all us mums to be clearly given the facts and the appropriate guidlines, on when to feed our children no matter which form of milk they are receiving. This should be based on strong evidence based research.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-1117276279444113652011-01-18T18:28:10.610+00:002011-01-18T18:28:10.610+00:00In the UK people use the term weaning with the of ...In the UK people use the term weaning with the of meaning starting solids. The journalists that wrote the articles in the press are English so that is why they used that term. <br />Technically, weaning means stop the breast/bottle gradually and we should really say start solids if you mean that. Sorry this sounds like a riddle but I hope you know what I mean.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-63484553158187018782011-01-18T17:03:35.896+00:002011-01-18T17:03:35.896+00:00Thank you for posting this.
I do have a question-...Thank you for posting this.<br /><br />I do have a question--what does "wean" mean in the context of the articles and comments? Reading it in context, I'm intepreting it as "starting solids", is that right?<br /><br />One big problem I have with the article and news headlines is that here in America, I have only ever heard the term "wean" used as a reference to being *off the breast completely*. If you wean, you stop breastfeeding. If you wean from the bottle, you get rid of the bottle. IOW, all this stuff advocating "weaning" might mean to some just starting solids, but to others it's going to come across as *stop breastfeeding completely*. Of course, what are you going to "wean" a 4 month old to? They can't be exclusively on solids, so women who misunderstand this simple issue with British vs. American English may think that continuing to breastfeed is in and of itself a "danger" to their baby. :(Margarethttp://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cappuccinosmomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-90328185130877204712011-01-18T12:43:32.475+00:002011-01-18T12:43:32.475+00:00BIG thank you to everyone for all the lovely comme...BIG thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments too - much appreciated :)<br />AAAnalytical Armadillo IBCLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03829027807809292649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-17306620298990690542011-01-18T11:26:29.528+00:002011-01-18T11:26:29.528+00:00Yes Keith - I think it's interesting that the ...Yes Keith - I think it's interesting that the research quoted in this paper re solids was for high risk infants, yet the implication was for all.<br />I also personally think we need to see studies that clearly split exclusively feeding infants and formula fed, and furthermore that also establish mums allergy status and or examine breastmilk content. Mums who aren't aware of the signs of food intolerances may consume the trigger. This as I'm sure you know is linked with leaky gut and the passage of proteins into breastmilk (which is why some infants can show intolerances to foods through breastmilk, most often dairy and wheat) therefore potentially some infants could be exposed to the allergen well before the introduction of food? which presumably would impact on the reserach?Analytical Armadillo IBCLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03829027807809292649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-12109875538489145022011-01-18T03:11:05.493+00:002011-01-18T03:11:05.493+00:00"It's not the fact that everyone knows br..."It's not the fact that everyone knows breast is best that hurt it's peoples judgements that you are a selfish mother that really cut deep. And as for those who didn't have support or know where to turn when they were desperate, how will making them feel bad help anyone going forward, might it even put them off trying again with future babies? As women we should learn to be more understanding of each other instead of cutting each other down because situations in our lives took us in separate directions."<br /><br />I completely agree. That's why I said specifically that "there are many good reasons out there for formula feeding rather than breastfeeding, and I am in no way trying to make those mothers feel guilty for doing what they had to do" and that "not making [the choice to breastfeed] is no reason to make someone feel guilty." I hate when pro-breastfeeding mommies try to make formula-feeding moms feel guilty over something they actually HAD to do to keep their baby alive. The ones who actually have a choice and choose to formula feed because of unfounded fears over breast changes or something, I don't feel AS bad for, but I still think nobody should be judging anybody, especially not directly to their face. It's like somebody choosing not to exercise: it's their choice. It may not be the absolute best choice but nobody has the right to berate them for it. I hate that it's become such a black-and-white issue for so many. Either you're a rabid breastfeeding nazi or you're a lazy formula feeding baby-killer. There really needs to be a lot more middle ground where things can be discussed rationally by both sides (or simply dropped completely, since there really is no way to come up with an agreement considering it really is a personal choice).emunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-84544218476135236872011-01-17T22:07:13.739+00:002011-01-17T22:07:13.739+00:00@anon who posted on 15th of jan at 16.54 (there ar...@anon who posted on 15th of jan at 16.54 (there are so many anon people it´s hard to know who is who!), you said: <br />"So many pro breast groups jumped on this and turned it into another onesided amd usless debate."<br />It was not the paper published on the BMJ (which doesn´t actually tell us much of interest as far as I´m aware) that people got worked up about. It was about how the media reported it (why did they bother with it in the first place? who told them about it, I wonder?) but saying that exclusive breastfeeding a baby for 6 months could cause them harm amongst other things. That is what caused all pro breastfeeding groups to jump on this as you put it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-10113553747540531002011-01-17T21:37:20.588+00:002011-01-17T21:37:20.588+00:00I cannot thank you enough for posting this wonderf...I cannot thank you enough for posting this wonderful article. Am sharing as much as I can!!Mrs Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00805638059006116927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-51763040449527984632011-01-17T21:09:19.872+00:002011-01-17T21:09:19.872+00:00Can i just say in my little to no time on the comp...Can i just say in my little to no time on the computer i had to send you a big virtual hug for posting this. You are awesome!!! This was the 1st time i visited your blog after i got sent this link from a friend. You have gained a new follower for sure!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-57028388659800616832011-01-17T20:45:09.912+00:002011-01-17T20:45:09.912+00:00Please fight to get this article into the national...Please fight to get this article into the national press!!!! Some of the headlines associated with this article have been sp irresponsible and, unfortunately, the headline is as far as many readers will have got. ALthough there are many interesting and valid points in the original article, the healdines and news stories do not reflect the true content. In addition, this article shows that many of the valid-seeming points are, in fact, scientifically unsupportable. I'm amazed that an article of this standard have been published and given the respect that it has generated.Louise Graynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-13987854548400312442011-01-17T20:31:11.495+00:002011-01-17T20:31:11.495+00:00QUOTE I think it's often the women who tried, ...QUOTE I think it's often the women who tried, sat there in the early days crying whilst they tried to feed their babies and then never got the satisfaction of doing it successfully that strike out at anything berating formula.<br /><br />I absolutely agree with you - mums who are ambivalent generally respond in an each to their own way. <br /><br />I also think mums judge themselves far more harshly than anyone else could (I know I beat myself up about perceived failiures far more than anyone else would!) and it's a huge shame the barrier between breast and bottle exists. Often mums that are most passionate about breastfeeding are the ones who did the crying/struggling and are now fighting for better support for others. Anyone who understands even the very basics of breastfeeding and society understands there are many influences that impact in all different ways. <br /><br />Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are all intricately linked and so many practices routinely undertaken by hospitals hinder and ultimately remove the infant's natural instincts and reflexes. Mums are starting off on the back foot, followed up by often poor support - then left feeling bad because they have been told for 9 months to breastfeed!<br /><br />This article might be of interest:<br />http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2010/07/formula-feeding-mums-start-shouting.htmlAnalytical Armadillo IBCLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03829027807809292649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-69922276215342676592011-01-17T19:53:11.089+00:002011-01-17T19:53:11.089+00:00Fab,Fab,Fab read, I could bearly listen to the new...Fab,Fab,Fab read, I could bearly listen to the news the other day, new mothers have a hard enough time as it is with hearing conflicting information and "advice" from various sources, it goes to show the influence these big baby food companies have. I'm sure on Wednesday at the support group I help run this will be topic of conversation and new mummies will want some clarification on thisnews report, so thank you for this blog I will direct them all to it. <br /><br />Big thanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-53634429606423960852011-01-17T18:52:52.413+00:002011-01-17T18:52:52.413+00:00Good analysis. Looking at the various evidence it ...Good analysis. Looking at the various evidence it could seem wise advice, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, especially to really reduce, as it has done, introduction of solid foods before 4 months.<br /><br />A couple of issues, not with you but with some of the sources:<br />UNICEF say "Health experts agree that around six months is the best age for introducing solids..." and "some foods that should be avoided as they may cause allergies...including gluten"<br /><br />1. which experts? do they all agree? ESPGHAN (European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition) would be a collection of experts I assume. They advise:<br /><br />"It is prudent to avoid both early (<4 months) and late (>or=7 months) introduction of gluten, and to introduce gluten gradually while the infant is still breast-fed, inasmuch as this may reduce the risk of celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and wheat allergy"<br /><br />The evidence for this may not be bullet proof, but there is evidence. I don't know where UNICEF get the evidence to say that gluten should NOT be introduced until after 6 months because it can cause allergy<br /><br />I think the evidence points towards the ESPGHAN being valid for a subset of babies - those genetically at risk (not necessarily high risk as mistakenly mentioned in the quoted sources) - this is expanded upon more at http://bit.ly/gDDCs0Keith Grimaldihttp://eurogene.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-69870682789800170822011-01-17T17:01:45.608+00:002011-01-17T17:01:45.608+00:00Great post Armadillo.Great post Armadillo.Annalisa Barbierihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05794348984041332798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-88435309794722279212011-01-17T10:54:41.576+00:002011-01-17T10:54:41.576+00:00Emu, I think formula feeding mummies know that and...Emu, I think formula feeding mummies know that and that is why they feel so defensive. Imagine if you couldn't breastfeed your baby no matter what you did and you wanted to? Wouldn't it break your heart? If you couldn't give the most precious thing in your world what she needed and to top it off you thought people might make judgements about you because of it? Not all formula feeding mummies are doing so because they are worried about their breasts becoming saggy, there are women out there for whom it wasn't possible or didn't happen for them because of lack of support or for medical reasons.<br />The judgements made by Hardworker when she got into that argument above are typical of forums and just build up barriers between formula feeding mummies and breast feeding mummies. There is an awful lot of guilt involved with not being able to breastfeed, I think it's often the women who tried, sat there in the early days crying whilst they tried to feed their babies and then never got the satisfaction of doing it successfully that strike out at anything berating formula. It is surely an understandable response if the only other option is deep guilt that you can never get away from. All I'm trying to do here is make people understand why some are so defensive. Imagine if you COULDN"T breastfeed, not that it was just hard, but that actually, due to medical reasons, you couldn't breastfeed? It's not the fact that everyone knows breast is best that hurt it's peoples judgements that you are a selfish mother that really cut deep. And as for those who didn't have support or know where to turn when they were desperate, how will making them feel bad help anyone going forward, might it even put them off trying again with future babies? As women we should learn to be more understanding of each other instead of cutting each other down because situations in our lives took us in separate directions. <br />I know this works the other way too and some Mums who formula feed argue a losing battle, taking things to a personal level. And that sometimes breastfeeding mums feel that they are backed into a corner and up against the world. People need to be more understanding of where each other are coming from, only then can will we break down these barriers and encourage more people to breastfeed and also that if it didn't work the first time it doesn't mean it won't in the future.MinnyMoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-23294094784926996362011-01-17T08:13:52.856+00:002011-01-17T08:13:52.856+00:00Just a quick note, because this always irritates m...Just a quick note, because this always irritates me: It is an unbiased fact that breastmilk is better for babies than formula. Stating this fact is not "violently forcing" formula-feeding moms to breastfeed any more than stating the fact that feeding your child fast-food every day is unhealthy is "violently forcing" moms to feed their children healthy foods. It is still a choice, but it is clearly not the best choice for your child and he/she has a chance of being worse-off for that choice. These are simple facts, not opinions. There are many good reasons out there for formula feeding rather than breastfeeding, and I am in no way trying to make those mothers feel guilty for doing what the had to do. But the fact still stands that breastfeeding, if you have the choice to do so, is the better option. Not making that choice is no reason to make someone feel guilty, and I definitely agree that rabid "breastfeeding nazis" are incredibly irritating, but choosing not to breastfeed JUST because someone yelled at you that you are "murdering your child" is rather like choosing to smoke cigarettes JUST because someone yelled at you that you are "killing yourself".<br /><br />Also, suggesting that scientific research should be kept under wraps because it is somehow insulting to you is ridiculous. I (and I'm sure many many others) would like to know what the consequences of their actions are, rather than go blindly into something with no idea what the potential effects could be. Mercury (and lead, and asbestos, and DDT, and... well you get the point) for many years were used in high amounts in a great number of things, until scientific research showed that they were highly poisonous. Should this research have been kept under wraps because "that's the way their grandmothers did things"? Obviously not. Our world would be much worse off if valid research were hidden from public view simply on the basis of tradition. Obviously formula-feeding a child is much less severe than mercury poisoning, but the point still stands.emunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-85479177113255359462011-01-16T22:58:47.891+00:002011-01-16T22:58:47.891+00:00Fantastic article once again. Thanks for convertin...Fantastic article once again. Thanks for converting a sensationalist and hyped media story into the actual, and unbiased facts. This story has received so much media coverage purely due to its contraversial nature. The media aren't interested in printing the true facts, rather they want to make money spurting out such controversial stories because they know what sells.<br />I am a firm believer that it is what you feed your babies, and your whole approach to mealtimes that dictates how fussy they will be. my 2yr old was introduced to solids later than his older brother, just short of 6 months, but of the two he is the less fussy one. He has always shown preference for fruit and vegetables above other foods, and as a baby preferred the more colourful and appealing foods, broccoli, peas, carrots etc, rather than bland, white foods. Now he eats nearly everything, including curry and sometimes lettuce, and still fruit and veg are his favourite. Both my children eat well and I put this largely down to my persistance in eating together always, and leading by example.Yaznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-77871610809267891512011-01-16T21:45:31.458+00:002011-01-16T21:45:31.458+00:00I find any study like this highly dubious. Humanit...I find any study like this highly dubious. Humanity has survived for nearly its entire existence upon breastfeeding not to mention the flaws pointed out by this article. None of us would be here if our ancestors hadn't breastfed.<br />However, I wish people wouldn't take this as another excuse to bash the formula feeding Mummies. Making people feel like bad parents is not the way forward. Nor is it good for your soul.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102141287849407838.post-7386927919484821212011-01-16T21:38:02.532+00:002011-01-16T21:38:02.532+00:00Thank you for this. Am just starting to introduce ...Thank you for this. Am just starting to introduce solids to my breastfed baby girl who's 7 months. Am not rushing it, taking things very slowly. Your article is great, thank you.Zaknoreply@blogger.com