What age are people starting solids?

[anna*]

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!

Sorry for going off topic but I always read this statistic as being about the source of milk i.e. supplementing with or switching entirely to formula instead of being so much about solids! So even the mums who do wait til 6 months to wean, most of them wont be exclusively breastfeeding. I wonder which it is?

[nona]

i thought it was nothing else but breastfeeding (solids or FF)

i waited until 6 months bc 1. aap recommends exclusive BFing until about 6 months 2. feeding solids is a pain 3. the whole open gut theory thing - i wanted every drop to count!!!!

[Lemonthyme]

The open gut thing is a theory, not proven.  In fact most research on at the moment is pointing to the direction of earlier weaning being a good thing if breastfeeding is alongside it. 

I think the only thing we can be sure of is weaning guidance will change.  What seems normal now will seem odd in 10 years and vice versa.

[nona]

3. the whole open gut theory thing -

right that's why i wrote "theory"!

i agree who knows what will happen down the road!

so where is the newer research? i want to ask my pedi about it.

[*Sandra*]

It's all different from when I had my first 5 years ago! 

My Dr worked in Israel at one point and they gave peanuts early (we were doing that last) and had no peanut allergy.  He told 5 years ago we were going to change that.  Now we can supposedly start anything at 4 months.  There are way less restrictions.

[nona]

it is like when i was a baby!!!

yea my son has tree nut allergies and i'm sure DD will too   ...but i gave him almond cookies early - which he isn't allergic too though? so weird.

[Lemonthyme]

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/doc/1423.pdf  This clarifies that some kids do need additional nutrition between 4 and 6 months (and I think my son was one of them). 

There are some projects ongoing which are looking at (and suggesting) earlier weaning alongside breastfeeding could help limit food allergies; here is a summary; http://blogs.food.gov.uk/science/entry/what_s_behind_the_development

The reason they're looking at it is because of a study, I forget where but government advice was to delay introduction of peanuts until 5 I think and then there was a huge spike in allergy which seemed to be as a result.

So it's probably fair to keep an open mind but most countries currently recommend 4-6 months I believe but delaying the common allergenic foods until after 6 months.  I am certain that will change but all you can do is ask the experts for advice and all they can do is go on the best available information they have.

Unfortunately a lot of gumf is out there and misinformation, partly because it's difficult to get randomised research on kids and all kinds of "theories" crop up.  I also worry that the insistence on 6 month exclusive breastfeeding bizarrely causes people to stop breastfeeding.  You hear loads of stories at 2-3 weeks old of people saying "My milk wasn't enough for him" and yes, that makes me sad because it's just a growth spurt and your milk is enough at that age but at 5 months maybe it's not?  Being dogmatic about the introduction of solids ended up with several people (health visitors included) suggesting I use formula. 

Anyway I am digressing...!  Sorry!

[Lemonthyme]

Here's some of the results of one of the studies:  http://www.foodallergy.org/page/results-of-new-study-offers-potential-clues-about-how-peanut-allergy-emerges

[Twitchitt]

Pediatrician told us at 4-month appt that we can start solids anywhere between 4-6 months as long as there is some head control. So I decided to start him on rice cereal as he had been showing interest whenever I ate for quite some time. He is spoon feeding well, I have been feeding rice cereal twice per day approx 2 tbsp (dry plus 2.5 tbsp water to mix) per feed plus offering breast afterward. it does make him a bit gassy and the last few days he has hardly pooped.. I'm not too concerned as he is 17.5 lbs and always gained weight well but just wondering why this might be?

[brummum]

I agree with the suggestions of going by the individual baby rather than a set age. I waited for sitting with support, loss of tongue thrust reflex and interest in food. For us that ended up being at about 5 months. He was also 98th centile though. I have always found it a little strange that babies all crawl, walk, say their first word etc.. at completely different ages but are all expected to be ready for solids at exactly the same time? Think it also depends what your reasons are for starting, if it is because they seem ready and interested then fine, if it is because you (not you in particular but anyone) think it will help them sleep through the night then probably not! Incidentally, solids didn't make one bit of difference to our guys nocturnal activity!! Go with your mommy instinct.

[Lemonthyme]

I have always found it a little strange that babies all crawl, walk, say their first word etc.. at completely different ages but are all expected to be ready for solids at exactly the same time?

I agree COMPLETELY!  It's like in everything else we are expected to be flexible but not in weaning.  That said, the good thing out of all of this dogma is that by saying "wait until 6 months" it has prevented a lot of people weaning super early.  8-12 weeks used to be common when my eldest niece was a baby.

[*Sandra*]

I've actually started giving her a bit of food. I gave her a piece of broccoli to hold and munch on the other day and some banana today.  I really think she likes sitting with the family and trying to eat.  I'm not doing it regularly but she when it's convenient and she seems interested I'm going for it.  She's 5 months today so I think that's alright. She's also sitting well and loves sitting so she enjoys sitting in the booster.  Too bad she smacks the tray in front of her more often than grabbing the food but I guess that's all part of the fun.