Curious.. why R people starting LO's on solids before 6 months?

[Ennypen]

we started at 4months on advice of our HV, he was taking full bottles at each feed and still looking for more. He loves his food and his milk 

Me too. Will is a very tall baby and is big for his age so milk alone was just not providing what he needed so we started some baby rice mixed with formula then moved on to baby porridge soon after as he preferred it. He took to it brilliantly and after a month of that we introduced veggies.

I think that all LOs are different and have different needs. The 6 months to me is a guideline for the average baby and some babies will need solids before 6 months and others might start them later.

H xx

[Sarahboh]

We started at 18 weeks as our ped said it was fine, but if she refused then to leave it alone until 6 months. It was the best thing we did, she is a very good eater now at almost 7 months. I tend to believe that all babies are different as well and what works for one baby may not work for another. I have read some literature recently that said to watch the baby, if he/she is showing interest in mom's/dad's food when eating then it is a good time to try. I don't think before 4 months they are capable of eating the food as the tongue thrust is still present but afterwards it is up to the parents/ped. We started with rice cereal for a month, then went to veggies, fruits, oatmeal and next we will try meat (about 8-9 months) and cheese/yoghurt then as well.  

[Mum to Ella Rose]

Ella was always a refluxer that over ate. She just couldn't keep it anything down. So her milk intake continued very strongly even after introducing solids early. 

Sharon

[Mariek]

Up until about 2 years ago the advice in the UK was always that it was okay to start solids from 4 months. The guidelines are just that - guidelines. All babies are different and some are ready for solids earlier than six months. We started Grace on solids at about 18 weeks without any problems.

Swing and roundabouts I suppose, the same as anything when it comes to babies.

love

[*Natasha*]

I totally agree with MarieK.
We also started due to reflux as DD was taking maximum bottles and wanting more so we introduced solids and she LOVED it. We were on 2 meals at 4.5months when DD woke in the middle of the night and wouldn't settle so we had to give her a bottle which she wolfed down in 5mins (we haven't feed during the night since 6weeks). She now eats anything we give her and much prefers her food over formula i have no regretes and if need to will do the same with the next one.

[LilysMum]

I've started Lily on rice cereal 10 days ago (she's 5 mths on Friday).  She took to it straight away and downed the lot.  I then introduced carrot - same thing.  She's now on 2 meals a day.  It hasn't decreased her formula amt - she drinks 800 - 900 mls per day.
One thing I had noticed - she had been waking about 5am for the last few weeks but not wanting any milk until her 7am feed.  Since she's been on her evening meal this has moved to about 6am.  It may be co-incidence but I'm a happy mum!

[Jyates]

I started my dd on baby rice at 14 weeks for two weeks then introduced veg after had rice for brekkie and veg for tea i did this for 3 weeks then introduced pudding for another week she is now 20 weeks has rice/rusk or weetabix for brekkie with milk then dinner time has desert then has two bottles during the day has veg and pudding at tea and a bottle before bed. Shes coping very well and putting on weight at the normal rate and seems very excited at feeding time.

[tstasko]

we started about 2 weeks ago (almost 5.5 months) i really wanted to wait until 6 months exactly but my daughter was starting to get much more hungry around 4.5 months - plus she would eye our food all the time, mimic us eating, grab at our food - and literally smile and giggle whever she saw us eat!  she also started waking at night to take full feeds in addition to her regular feeds which was very strange for her.  so i tried some rice cereal and she basically grabbed the spoon and fed herself - she WOLFS down her solids!  so far no reactions (fingers crossed!) and i'm glad we've started, but would have waited 6 months if i could.  dd was just having none of it and was ready to move on.  i swear she was probably saying "About time mommy!!!!" 

[mrsmynub]

My ds is 18 weeks and we started him on rice cereal last week and sweet potatoes todat.  He has doubled his birth weight, is teething, went from 3 to 4 hour EASY on his own....eating a lot more and showed a real interest in food.  He only gets a teaspoon or so a day, but he has really seemed to enjoy the whole experience.  Many books say to start between 4-6 months.  I somehow feel that many people on these boards are against it.  Am I wrong?

[NKmommy]

Many books say to start between 4-6 months.  I somehow feel that many people on these boards are against it.  Am I wrong?

I don't think you are wrong at all!  Most of what I have read gives the 4-6 mos guideline also.  I would really go by your little one's cues - if he or she seems interested, then go for it.  (Unless you have allergies in your family, etc. - then waiting is probably best).  Some may disagree, just MHO. 

[datallan]

i weaned Phoebe at 17weeks (which was OK'd per HV and peads here in UK). She needed it as she was feeding 5 8oz bottles day. She would not breast feed so expressed for first 4weeks.
I could have reintroduced night feed to satisfy her appetite but felt better going the solid way.
From the first spoon if rice she accepted everything. I am now only having problems (she is a year May 21st) which feeding which due to indepenence, which is driving me crazy.

Debbie

[Intransit]

I have a friend who started her twins at like 1 month. I think it was a cultural thing.."everyone back home does it"

[notenoughshelfspace]

I had a whole combination of reasons for why I started at  months; mostly she was a hungry baby and a refluxer. Also my doctor said as there is no history of allergies in the families I could start at 17 weeks without any risks to the baby and it was a cultural thing for me too; I was started on solids early as were my sisters who are much younger then me.

[carmkaylasmom]

we also started at 4.5 months because of reflux/night wakings etc. Also she was watching us eat and obviously wanted. I agree that each baby is different, and that guidelines DO change! A lot!

[Cory'stiredmommy]

There sure seems to be a variety of reasons for starting early. I found it confusing when all the books said to start anywhere between 4 and 6 months. I decided to follow the Canadian and American pediatric society recommendation of waiting until the 6 month mark. I also believe that there is some truth to the "open gut" of a baby's tummy. I have started on solids now (at 6 months)  and I sure wish it would make a difference for the night wakings.... he is still waking hungry and I can't get more into him during the day
Good Luck everyone!
"The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) recommends “exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life for healthy term infants” and that “breastfeeding may continue for up to two years and beyond.” The new CPS recommendation extends the duration of exclusive breastfeeding from the former range of four to six months and is consistent with guidelines from Health Canada, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization."