Why start solids so early?

dazidog

DH & I are doing all our research for introducing solids to DD in the next few weeks.

I've noticed that quite a few of you introduced solids before 6 months (starting at 4 months).  I realize that some pedi's say it's okay (including ours:) but I also know the AAP and AAFP say to wait unti at least 6 months to introduce any solids. 

This being our 1st we are trying to decide what will be best for DD.  So I'm just interested in hearing your reasons for starting or waiting.

TIA

Janimal

I think no rule stands for ALL babies.  They are all different.  Discuss your child's development with your pediatrician.  There are many signs to watch for to know if your child is ready.

https://www.parenting-ed.org/html/html/solid%20foods.htm

 

papagena

From what I've read, it's due to their ability to digest the food & develop allergies if you introduce foods too early.  The Dr. Sears book said that their intestines don't produce a certain substance at full force until around 7 months (they start somewhere around 3-4) and the substance helps the intestines know what to filter out, and gets rid of materials that DC might otherwise be allergic to.  We're waiting until at least 5 months, and until DC can sit pretty well in a high chair and is showing a lot of interest in our food.

lizzyjean24

I'm confused as well. Our next pedi appointment is the 4 mos. checkup in Feb. and the Nurse Practicioner said "oh thats when we'll be talking about him eating solids". Which confuses me b/c he's still only drinking 4 oz's....and he'll be 3 mos. in a couple of weeks. What do we skip 8 oz's and go strait to solids????

habsoilers

We've decided to wait until at least six months to start solids. Here are my reasons:

-at our 4 month doctor's appt, the doctor said to me "no solids yet?" and I said "no" and she said "OK good". I took that to mean that she was happy with us waiting.

-at our 4 month nurse's appt, they expressly told us not to start solids until 6 months. I did a little research on the Government of Alberta website and they advocate not starting until 6 months also.

-waiting a little longer lowers the risk of allergies

-purely selfish reason - I don't want to start solids yet! I'm happy not having to deal with carrying food, dishes, worrying about how and where I can warm up food when we go out.

soon2beMrs.H

We actually gave DD her first taste of rice cereal today. We went to the pedi on monday and he said to start whenever we are ready. I decided to try it because DD is starting to sit up by herself, also, she has some interest in what we are eating. She also sits very well in the highchair. Yesterday, I had her on my lap when we went out to lunch and she was trying to grab pieces of my salad. She also tries to feed herself with her bottle (i'm holding it of course).

 It went really well- DD loved it!

ariel06

We started at 4 months to help DS's reflux.  I wanted to be able to pull him off his reflux meds because I was worried about.

He also is on the bigger side and was eating almost every two hours and was very interested in what we were eating. 

I think it just depends on your baby and their needs. 

jacksjerseygirl

It's all a personal preference or doctor preference. We wont do it until at least 6 months verging 7 months because of the allergy concerns and to ensure that their digestive system has fully developed and can properly handle the foods.

faBriezy

I started at almost 5 months which was my pedi's recomendation since DS showed all the readiness signs and she thought it might help his reflux. Were going very slowly at this point. Were only doing maybe 5 bites (thats all DS wants right now) every morning of oatmeal with sweet potatoes, banana, or avocado. Its mostly for practice at this point.

OUMedBride

It all depends on you and your baby.  My DD showed the readiness signs early (interest in us eating, doubled birth weight, etc.) so it seemed like a good idea to follow her lead and she's done really well with it.  OTOH, if your baby isn't showing those signs and you're not ready to start solids, then don't!  There's really no right or wrong answer; it's completely up to you.  If you start too early, your baby will let you know that they're not ready and you can just try again later; no harm done.  And there's not really any harm in waiting too long either as long as you start by around 6 months.  So just do whatever feels right.  GL!

lmdbww

I'm probably going to start her this week and didn't really have a reason for waiting besides wanting things to calm down after the holidays.