Overview
- The new S3 guideline recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and sets a minimum total breastfeeding duration of twelve months.
- Pediatric and nutrition societies, including the BVKJ and DGEM, criticize the evidence base as weak and urge adherence to the S3 allergy‑prevention advice to begin complementary feeding between months five and seven.
- Pediatrician Michael Dördelmann says the guideline is a recommendation, not a law, and encourages starting solids earlier if babies show readiness such as supported sitting, reduced tongue‑thrust reflex, keen interest in food, or persistent hunger.
- For infants at higher allergy risk, Dördelmann advises tiny, age‑appropriate exposures to allergens from the fifth month with single‑food trials, gradual increases over two to three days, and regular offerings, avoiding whole nuts and postponing during infections or severe eczema.
- He distinguishes expected mild reactions from warning signs, urging medical evaluation for repeated vomiting, hives, lip or eyelid swelling, or marked eczema worsening, and emergency care for breathing problems, persistent vomiting, pallor, severe unrest, or lethargy.