The trial reported by Cindy-Lee Dennis and coauthors1 will undoubtedly help clinicians and public health professionals to choose effective interventions to prolong the duration of breast-feeding. Nevertheless, we would like to provide a clarification regarding the authors' advice, which is based on recommendations of the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS)2 and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)3
In 1998, the CPS, Dietitians of Canada and Health Canada recommended that “breastfeeding may continue for up to 2 years of age and beyond.”4 The AAP3 recommends that breast-feeding “continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.” Nowhere in these recommendations is there a suggestion that breast-feeding should last only 6 months. Exclusive breast-feeding is recommended by most experts3,5,6,7 for the first 6 months of life.
If we want families to make informed decisions about their infant feeding methods, it is important that physicians understand (and communicate) that breast-feeding for only 6 months is not recommended.
Laura N. Haiek Physician Montérégie Department of Public Health Longueuil, Que. Suzanne Dionne Physician CLSC de la Haute-Yamaska Granby, Que.