Delaying Solid Feeding Provides Better Protection of Infants Against Various Diseases

Although infant continue to receive immunity through breast milk as long as they continue to breastfeed, most received immunity when he was given exclusive breastfeeding. Breast milk has 50+ content of immune factors that are known, and probably many more who are still not known. One study showed that infants given breast milk exclusively for 4+ months suffer of ear infections 40% less than babies fed breast milk plus other food. Probability of occurrence of respiratory illness during childhood is significantly reduced if the baby is given breast milk exclusively for at least 15 weeks and not given solid food during this period. Many more studies that also link the level of exclusivity of breastfeed with the increased health (see Immunity Factors in Human Milk and Risk of Instant Feeding).