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Babies: 3 - 6 Months
sooner1981
member
Growing evidence not to delay introducing solids until 6+ months
sooner1981
member
Our pediatrician recommended at our 4 month appointment that we begin introducing a variety of solids as soon as our LO seemed ready (good supported sitter, etc.) b/c it may decrease her risk of allergies/eczema and increase her appreciation for the tastes/textures of a wide range of flavors, including those not-so-sweet veggies! I thought these articles were very interesting. I have some friends who have life-threatening food allergies, and it is so hard for them to have a normal social life, since so much socializing revolves around eating out or at friends' houses. I really want to do everything possible to make sure my sweet LO doesn't have to deal with allergies!
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/1/50.full
The following is a quote from this article:
"increased risk for atopic dermatitis, eczema, and allergic sensitization (with or without symptoms) has been associated with delayed [around 6 months]introduction of egg, milk, cereals, and other solids."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22244232
This review of recent medical studies on the incidence of allergies associated with the introduction of solids concluded that "the most recent and compelling data may be for a critical timeframe for introduction of the highly allergenic solid foods to infants? diet, as emerging studies are showing that earlier introduction may be better in preventing allergy."
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Re: Growing evidence not to delay introducing solids until 6+ months
KitKat--I just read that, too! I try to remind myself that our sweet pup is really helping our our LO, when she occassionally just can't resist giving our baby a big lick across the face!
You definitely shouldn't. 6 months may be okay for babies that do hit the average (around the 50th percentile) but for babies way at the opposite ends of the spectrum, their needs are definitely different. I think it's smart to follow a guideline but, at the same time, not every baby is an average baby so you need to to tweak it as you see fit for your child's needs.
Ha, it bothers me when I feel judged for waiting to introduce solids. My DD clearly isn't ready for them (and I'm in no hurry), so we haven't started yet.
You start with the yolk. Hard boil it, remove the white, then mash the yolk with some breastmilk or formula.
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I'm glad you mentioned this. DS turned 4 months on Friday and while at his pediatrician apt. the DR said we could start solids anytime, but not to start them AFTER 6 months because that greatly increases the risk of food allergies. He mentioned the sooner the better, but also not a huge rush.
However, I feel pressure to start DS on solids, although I'm not sure he's ready, but how do I tell if he's ready? Right now, he eats 25oz/day and seems content. I guess I've told myself we'll start when either 25oz/day is no longer satisfying or at 5months. Parenting & decisions..
Adventure's In Willyland
DD1 didn't start solids until she was nearly 8 months old - she showed no interest and I didn't push it. DD2 started around 6 months when she showed an interest and we just started the boys (5 months) last week.
Neither of my girls have any allergies and eat everything we put in front of them.
I think that shows you are a great mom. ;-)
I listened to my pediatrician and gave my son fruits before veggies and he didn't eat veggies EVER. Now at 9 he loves green beans and artichokes but that's about it.
Then with my daughter I gave her veggies before fruit and she eats EVERYTHING!!!
Neither one of them got solids before 6 months and neither of them have allergies but then again...medical science changes every day so who knows.
I will give the twins veggies before fruit and our pediatrician said to start "trying" to spoon feed before our 4 month shots. We have done it a few times and so far so good...tried green beans last night. You should have seen the look on their faces. PRICELESS!!
Nobody should judge anybody for something so petty. Judge the mom who gives birth to a baby who is addicted to drugs/alcohol not a mom for feeding her baby!
Have a great day ladies!!
Love it! My LO recently discovered her feet, and I can't turn my back on her without her shoving her toes straight into her mouth! I have had to start being much more careful where I let her practice standing on things, now that feet are fair game to end up being chomped on!
Ew.
We do BLW, that's the main reason I wait on solids. Once we start at 6 months the only thing I don't give is peanut butter or honey, but even PB she had a little before a year.
No, this came later. About the time that woman started snarking on the internet.
Rice cereal is not empty calories. The main reason we started DD on it at 4 months is due to the fact it is iron fortified. Many children are iron deficient these days and my dr said that giving the baby iron fortified foods before their natural iron stores are depleted will help prevent this.
I am not one to judge others for what they do with their children. If you feel it best for your LO to wait to start solids, then that is whats best for your child. My baby used to only poop once every 5-7 days while we EBF. Since we started solids, she goes multiple times a day. For my DD, it helped her digestive system. Every baby is different.
Oh dear... Your baby wasn't pooping as often because breastmilk is made specifically to be used up... There's not much waste because it's specifically designed to fit your child's exact needs. As as for the iron, EBF babies aren't typically deficient. A baby's body is able to absorb 70% more iron from breastmilk, than formula.
My kid is 5 mo and 18+ lbs. She eats my boob mainly. She's had bananas a few times for fun, but not way in hell I'm starting food this early when MOST of the research out there turns away from it.
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My family is a Foreign Service family. Families like mine are posted in every corner of the globe. We live our lives away from family, friends and the conviences and comforts of home. We often live and work in dangerous places among those that misunderstand our intentions and purposes. Sometimes members of our ranks sacrifice our lives to further diplomacy. Please remember that we serve too. And I'm always open to questions.
This! Thank you!
I don't know the science behind it to say whether or not I believe that early introduction could help avoid allergies, but how could it help them appreciate a wider range of tastes and textures? Whether they start at 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, etc., won't they be getting the same things, just at different times? And as far as texture goes, if you introduce purees at 4 months you're still not supposed to introduce more chunky food until 6 months, so they just get the same basic texture.
FWIW, we started solids at 5 months. At 4 months they were showing zero signs that they were interested in food. Then after spending a ton of time with my nephew and watching him eat (he's 10 months now and with them every week day), they started making different movements with their mouths when they took their bottles (more like chewing/chomping motions), were reaching for food, and seemed fascinated when we ate so we tried it and they're doing well with it. We don't give them much - combined they go through a jar a day (the split a half a jar twice a day) - but enough to start getting them used to the idea and used to different flavors. I love idea of BLW, but my H, ILs, and mom and sister (who watch them during the week) would never get behind that idea.
I really don't judge any mom for chosing how to feed her baby. But, I would judge a mom for not doing her own research into the facts. There are two sides to every story and I don't think the info posted is too compelling.
Calories are calories - cereal will not fill up your baby any more than an extra bottle or feeding will. Purees have very little calories. If your baby is pushing food out of their mouth while spoon feeding, they probably aren't ready. Most babies do this at 4 mos old. They have no idea what causes food allergies, you will hear anecdotes on both sides of the spectrum re: when people started foods and which babies have allegies. Same goes for fruits before veggies and vice versa.
Personally, I've tried it both ways and my baby that started solids earlier is my pickier eater that has FAs. The one that I did BLW and weaned directly onto real soft foods vs purees is my better eater without FAs (I also nursed her longer and ate allergens while nursing). The third kid is a total crap shoot b/c I really find it hard to believe that something I did at 4-8 mos old would still have an affect on my kids at 4-6 y/o.
In the end, it always comes down to do what is right for your DC and don't judge other parents.
Proud mother of two breech babies:)
Honestly, I've seen articles both ways. Some claim (including the AAP) that it's ideal to delay solids until 6 months. Others say it's better to expose a baby's palate to a variety of fruits and veggies as soon as they're ready. Honestly, I think it's best for the parents to decide. They know when LO grabs at their plate or shows other readiness signs. Hell, my DS was eyeballing my food from a really young age, like 2 1/2 months! He didn't get solids until 4 months, but that's because I could tell he wasn't ready. I used my discretion, not what everyone was telling me to do.
There will always be studies/statements that changes the official recommendation on various topics, including when and how to introduce solids. I think moreso mothers should be encouraged to use common sense to keep an eye out for readiness signs and guage how their LOs are handling it. If they have a reaction to food, stop feeding it to them. If they're scarfing it down with no adverse reactions, let them have at it.
I like your style!
I agree with this.
However, it just didn't work for us. I really wanted to EBF for 6+ months, but my body didn't respond to the pump very well. My nipples are too small for it and I only make about 6 ounces in 3 30 minute pumping sessions, not maintainable for my work schedule. So we had to introduce formula and other foods.