What age are people starting solids?

[*Sandra*]

I was at my Dr for our 4 month visit and he asked if my DD was ready for solids.  I am not ready for solids!  My other two kids barely ate and solids always stressed me out.  I was surprised he asked and he told me that they are starting earlier and earlier now.   

I think I may just give her bites of some stuff we are having when it seems appropriate in order to start without any stress to me.  Does that make sense?

[Me.and.my.two.boys]

I always thought 6 months but maybe Im wrong! I think DS was 5.5mo

[~inbalance~]

I was at my Dr for our 4 month visit and he asked if my DD was ready for solids.  I am not ready for solids!  My other two kids barely ate and solids always stressed me out.  I was surprised he asked and he told me that they are starting earlier and earlier now.   

Similar situation with me today at the doctor's!  Well, the student doctor who was shadowing mine asked if I had started cereal and I was totally surprised by the question.  I simply told her that neither of my previous two children were particularly interested until well past 6 months so I was not in any hurry to start!  I will be waiting until 6 months and not likely a day sooner.  Seeing as how she gained 3 lbs in the last two months on BM alone, I'm not particularly worried about giving her anything else as she seems to be doing just fine! 

[creations]

The UK guidance is to wait until 6 months.  Their digestive system is more developed and there are far fewer limitations to the food they can/can't be offered.
I wouldn't be in any hurry at all.
That said, I was totally determined not to begin with mine until 6 months but for several weeks before that I could no longer eat anything in front of him even if he has just had his fill of milk, he would cry blue murder that I had food and he didn't and yet still refuse more milk.  it was getting silly.  I eventually gave in at 5.5 months, tried to offer as little as I could get away with for those couple of weeks and then let him pig out at 6 months

I think I may just give her bites of some stuff we are having when it seems appropriate in order to start without any stress to me.  Does that make sense?

It sounds to me like you are right for the BLW approach (baby led weaning).  There's a thread if you wanted to chat to others and info can be found on the internet if you wanted to read about it.  We did BLW and the entire weaning experience was an utter joy for me and anyone else who joined us for dinner.

[*Sandra*]

It was 6 months with my first and I think we did the same with my second. She had reflux and it was miserable!! She at rice crackers and plain ice cream cones for months!  BLW sounds interesting, I think I'll check that out! 

The only reason I would consider starting now is because my DD is up every 3 hours at night and although I don't really mind, I wouldn't mind a bit longer sleep

Thanks.   

[anna*]

Audrey was 5.5 months, we were at my mums for Sunday lunch and she was a bit crabby so I sat her in the highchair and gave her  a piece of broccoli to play with. She started eating it! We did BLW and never looked back, broccoli is still her favourite food

[We Three]

Here where I live the reccomendation is 4 months for cereals for ff babes, 6 months for bf babes.  If I had it to do again, I would skip grains entirely...and go right to veggies. 

[creations]

She had reflux and it was miserable!!

That's such a shame.  FWIW my DS has silent reflux but would sometimes bring up liquids, water or milk, and sloppy foods or puree just wouldn't have been right for him.  The BLW approach suited him so well without all that extra 'wetness'.

[Shiv52]

Here where I live the reccomendation is 4 months for cereals for ff babes, 6 months for bf babes.  If I had it to do again, I would skip grains entirely...and go right to veggies. 

They are recommending the opposite here now. 4 months for BF babies due to the immunological benefits of BFing and 6 months for FF babies as they dont have the same gut protection. 

I did 5.5 months with DD1 and 6 months with DD2. DD2 did many more finger foods as she was
Not fussed on spoon feedinG!

[*Sandra*]

Thanks ladies.  If I do BLW doesn't she have to be sitting properly already?  She only just turned 4 months, I think she would fall forward in her seat!

[Shiv52]

Here regardless of age the recommendations are tongue thrust reflex gone, sitting upright on own/semi-supported and showing an interest in food.  I used those guidelines more so than the age guideline as they are all so different. 

[anna*]

Yeh she needs to be sitting well (Audrey couldn't sit unsupported on the floor but was fine in a highchair) and have the hand-eye co-ordination to grab the food and bring it to her mouth for herself.

[*Sandra*]

She's super strong but I just don't see it working well. 

Maybe I just don't feel like lugging the highchair upstairs and dealing with the mess

Thanks for all the insight, I think I'll give it some more time.

[Lemonthyme]

We were at 19 weeks.  My son was a hungry fella.  In fact the 'test' they tell you to do in the UK, he managed to do at about 3 and a half months but I still waited.  It was a miserable time with us because his 4 month growth spurt started at 15 weeks and didn't stop.  I got very fed up with BF support people telling me "it will pass" and "all he needs is breastmilk until he's 6 months".  My Health Visitor said "tosh.  Keep breastfeeding him but a bit of baby rice and simple purees after 17 weeks will do no harm."

UK advice is 6 months but no earlier than 17 weeks and breastfeed.  I remember reading that only 2% of Mums make it to 6 months exclusive breastfeeding so if you chose to start a bit earlier, you're not in the minority!

[nona]

AAP recommends BFing until about 6 months of age