For how long is exclusive breast-feeding adequate to satisfy the dietary energy needs of the average young baby?

This review is based on a lecture given in connection with the 1994 Nutricia Foundation Award. It describes how recent research findings in infant dietary energy requirements have provided a firm quantitative basis for the widely quoted pediatric view that exclusive breast-feeding should provide sufficient nourishment for the average child until 4-6 mo of age. © 1995 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.