The first official review1 of infant feeding practices in over 20 years continues to recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed until around 6 months of age and continue to be breastfed for at least the first year of life.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) report ‘Feeding in the first year of life’ provides recommendations on infant feeding from birth up to 12 months of age.

Solid foods should not be introduced until around 6 months to benefit the child’s overall health. SACN concludes delaying solid foods until then is not associated with later difficulty in accepting solid foods.

SACN has recommended strengthening advice regarding the introduction of peanuts and eggs. It says these foods can be introduced from around 6 months and need not be differentiated from other solid foods. Their deliberate exclusion beyond 6-12 months may increase the risk of allergy to these foods.

SACN raises concerns about the proportion of infants with energy intakes above requirements and the proportion exceeding growth standards for their weight – around three-quarters of infants for both.