Breast milk is the ideal food for babies and should be used exclusively for the first six months of life, according to the chairperson of a Bermuda breast feeding information service.

Ms Lena Ostroff, of La Leche League of Bermuda, responded to a February Government Health and Social Issues column written by community health nurse, Ms Beulah Armstrong.

The article, in The Royal Gazette , advised women about introducing their breast fed babies to solid foods after four months of age due to the fact that after that time breast milk becomes inadequate.

However, Ms Ostroff said there was "no scientific or medical evidence that supports or confirms that statement.

"The World Health Organisation has set down guidelines which it recommends for all babies. These recommendations are endorsed by American, British, and Canadian Paediatric Associations and state that breast milk is the ideal food for infants and should be used exclusively for about the first six months of life.

"The early introduction of solid foods is unnecessary and not supported by medical or scientific research. The article in The Royal Gazette stated that `breast milk alone is inadequate for the baby after four months of age'.

"But we are unaware of any scientific or medical evidence that confirms this statement.'' Ms Ostroff added that breast milk is the perfect food for infants and is full of all the essential vitamins, minerals, calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and immunities needed by babies.

"The most recent studies show that even iron, once thought to be missing in breast fed babies after six months, is now sufficiently supplied throughout the first year, due to the way in which breast fed babies digest, assimilate and store this nutrients.'' The Health and Social Issues article also stated that if weaning is not started by age six months, it is more difficult to introduce solid foods at a later stage.

But Ms Ostroff said: "Again we are unaware of any studies which have concluded this. Babies vary in the age at which they are ready to start solids.

"Our advice to mothers is to watch the baby and not the calender. Signs that your child is ready for solids include the cutting of teeth, an interest in what others are eating and reaching for food.

"Some babies will indicate this interest as early as five months and it may be appropriate for them to start solids at this point. Other infants have no interest in food until much later.

"Many babies have been exclusively breast fed for seven, eight and even nine months and then go on to eat solid foods without difficulties, when their systems are ready.'' She added that these children may prefer breast milk for a longer period of time for very good reasons.

And food allergies can often be avoided when infants are kept on breast milk until their digestive systems can better accommodate certain foods.

"If an infant is refusing solid foods, we urge mothers to take their cue from their babies. As long as the child is showing signs of good health and has a proper muscle tone, good colouring and appropriate development, it is not necessary to introduce solids until the baby is ready.

"Breast milk is the healthiest and most complete way to nourish an infant and there is no reason to replace it with a nutritionally less perfect food until the baby shows signs of wanting this.'' Ms Ostroff also said that the article went on to say that once solids are introduced, the baby should be allowed to breast feed `after meals and at night'.

However, she added: "It is appropriate to breast feed a baby at any time.

Mothers should be encouraged to respond to the needs of their infants and not to follow any predetermined rule advising when to nurse.

"There is no prescription for the times your baby needs to be held, loved, and breast fed. Anytime is appropriate and mothers should never feel compelled to limit these times. Mothers have known for centuries that giving infants all the loving and nurturing they want helps them develop into more secure, healthy and independent children.'' Ms Ostroff also said that all babies are different and develop according to their own timetables. And as long as there are no medical concerns regarding development, "We urge mothers to trust their own instincts and to introduce solids when their babies indicate a need to do so.'' Ms. Armstrong could not be contacted for comment.