At what age should infants exclusively breastfeed with vitamin D supplements and iron as needed?

Infants should exclusively breastfeed from birth to 6 months of age, with the addition of vitamin D supplements and iron when necessary. This period is crucial as breastfeeding provides all the nutrients that an infant needs for optimal growth and development.

The World Health Organization and other health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months to ensure that infants receive the correct balance of nutrients and antibodies that are essential for their immune system. Breast milk contains the ideal composition of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and it adjusts over time to meet the evolving nutritional needs of the growing infant.

While breast milk is sufficient for the first six months, supplementation with vitamin D is recommended because breast milk alone does not provide adequate amounts of this vitamin, which is necessary for healthy bone development. Additionally, iron supplementation may be needed as infants grow, particularly if they are exclusively breastfed beyond six months, as iron stores from birth begin to diminish.

Starting solid foods at around six months aligns with the recommendation to continue breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods, but exclusive breastfeeding is specifically emphasized for the first six months. Hence, the correct period for exclusive breastfeeding with the specified supplements is from birth to 6 months.