Doctors encourage mothers to supplement breastfeeding with solids far too early. And, as a result, the children are far more prone to allergic problems, and especially eczema, new research has found.
In a review of 13 studies, researchers discovered that babies who were introduced to solids before they were four months old were far more likely to develop allergic problems such as eczema, which, in some cases, lasted for 10 years.
Another study discovered a link between early introduction of solids and pollen allergy such as hay fever.
The researchers also found some evidence that may link solids with asthma, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and animal dander allergy, although it was not convincing, they said.
(Source: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 2006; 16: 502-7).