Breastfed babies weaned at an earlier age sleep longer and wake less frequently at night, experts claim
At six months, babies given solid food from three months slept longer than those only breastfed
BREASTFED babies weaned at an earlier age sleep longer and wake less frequently at night, a study found.
At six months, those given solid food from three months slept an average of 16.6 minutes longer per night than those only breastfed.
They also woke an average of 1.74 times a night, compared with more than twice for those in the breastfed group. Mums in the solids group also reported a better quality of life and improved sleep.
Researchers say government advice to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months should now be reconsidered.
They analysed data on 1,303 babies, who had all been breastfed for three months, when the trial began.
Half continued to be breastfed only and half were introduced to solid foods, while continuing to breastfeed.
Professor Gideon Lack, who led the study at King’s College London, said: “While the official guidance is that starting solid foods won’t make babies more likely to sleep through the night, this study suggests that this advice needs to be reexamined.”
But the Food Standards Agency, which funded the trial, said it recommended sticking to existing guidelines.
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