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

[Cory'stiredmommy]

As the original poster I think these are valid issues surrounding research etc. and I am glad it came up. I think this helps paint a clearer picture for all new moms and can help (or confuse the matter more) in the decision making process.

My understanding of "why to wait until 6 months" also had something to do with babies having an immature gut (open gut?). I understand that babies appear to be ready but how can a parent or doctor know if the baby's tummy is developed well enough to handle solids before approx 6 months? This was my hesitation to begin solids before 6 months. Other than that, my son "appeared" ready around 4.75 months. I chose to wait.
I know this may spark some emotions ... but I am simply a new mom swimming through the sea of information
Hugs to everyone,
Sarina

[BabyBsMommy]

I worried about the same thing but I figured there would be some definite signs if his tummy wasn't developed enough for solids, particularly because he has always had big problems with gassy pains!  When we started giving cereal at 4.5 months, his gassiness actually improved and he was a much happier baby (no longer crying for food much more often then ever before).  We are now a week and a half away from 6 months and he has 3 tbsp of cereal at dinner and one at breakfast and lunch.  We followed his lead and boy did he ever let us know when he needed more - each time we waited a week to be sure this was what he really needed - he would cry and cry from hunger first and hour after his 7am bf and then about 2 weeks later before his 11am bf.  In both instances, I offered the breast at first but that didn't cut it.  I also did a yield to make sure my milk supply was up.  Once that little bit extra was introduced, he was back to his happy old self.  He is still taking 5 feeds a day - 4 bf on the classic 4 hour EASY and a 10:30 df of 8oz (most of which he downs) which is 4 oz ebm and 4 oz formula.  We introduced pears today, I figure we are only 1.5 weeks away and he isn't going to magically be ready at 6 mos on the dot for it anyways.  He has shown no signs of discomfort.  I am content with the decision but I totally respect all of the points of view people have on this topic.  I just really think I'd be feeding Brenden every 2 hours and all night long at this point if he was still just bf.

[Mrs. Gravy]

I understand that babies appear to be ready but how can a parent or doctor know if the baby's tummy is developed well enough to handle solids before approx 6 months? This was my hesitation to begin solids before 6 months. Other than that, my son "appeared" ready around 4.75 months. I chose to wait.
I know this may spark some emotions ... but I am simply a new mom swimming through the sea of information

You're right - nobody can tell with 100% certainty what is going on in a baby's gut, and whether their GI system has matured enough to be fed solids.  Most research suggests that this happens between 6-8 months.  I'm sure there is the odd baby who may be ready earlier, and some who may not be ready until 9 months, or even later.

I know this is a touchy subject for a lot of people, and I respect everyone's decision.  My son was 4 months old when he started showing an interest in food.  He would sit on my lap as I was eating dinner, and reach for things on my plate and try to grab my fork.  He would also try to "eat" paper, keys, the phone or anything else that was within reach.

Here's an interesting link on the gut flora of bf infants, and what happens to their gut when formula, supplements or solids are introduced.
http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images/Just%20one.pdf

[linfran]

Sorry to sound flippant, but everyone talking about research is making me feel inadequate.  I'm lucky if I manage to brush the baby sick from my hair each morning.

[tylersmommy]

Linfran, don't feel bad! I was right there with you when Tyler was a baby. It was only when he got older after naps, etc got under control that I found the time to start reading up on things like this. My only hope is that we can do the reading, digest it, and summarize it to help everyone here.

And my understanding is that Mrs Gravy works in medical research, so she's got an edge over us all!

[swiper]

I just think that every baby is different and some are more hungry than others.
As parents we know our babies/ children better than anyone else and do what you think is right.
I didnt enjoy Connors baby days cause I had everyone telling me what to do and how to do it, these days dont last for ever I know Connor is now 4yr and starting school in september.

[Wife and Mummy.]

OK touchy subject.how do we know anything about our babies until they can speak?how do we know when to up formula i know they cry but how do we know its what they really want.until you have a child who at some point in their life is poorly you will never understand why other people do these strange things for our kids.i mean Sarina if your lo was in hospital and losing weight everyday you cant tell me that if the docs said we need to start this baby on solids or it will die of hunger you would say no their gut wont be able to take it.we all try to do whats right for our kids and if that means weaning early then people all over the world will continue to do so.i mean at the end of the day if babies were really not meant to eat before 6 months then they wouldn't make food for them to buy in jars from 4 months.

[linfran]

Melissa, I don't feel remotely bad!!!  As a lawyer I spend most of my working life researching stuff so I'm just taking the time in my maternity leave to slow right down...I can cope with the baby sick, its the getting-pooped-on thing I have issues with!!!!

[~Faye~]

I was going to wait until 6 months to start Shay on solids and we got to 5 1/2 months, but his weight was getting lower and lower and he was quite underweight (not just lean) so I was told to start them. I left it about a week so he was almost 6 months. As soon as we started solids his weight started to gain and he filled out more, he wasn't a scrawny little thing anymore so for me I felt it was what I needed to do for his best interests.

Faye

[Zoey]

After reading that research, its amazing Owen is a healthy, thriving 18lb, 27in boy!    He was early, I had a c-section, I give him formula AND started solids before 6 months.  I must have Superbaby!

I take everything I read or hear on the news with a grain of salt.  There is no manual for baby raising, people have tried to write one - but if it could be done - we wouldn't all be here!  We must do what we think is best for our LO based on the information given to us.  The other thing we must do is be supportive of one another's choices.  We are Mom's and Dad's all working toward parenting in the best, and safest possible way.  Although our views on how to do that may differ, we are sharing this goal and we are bound by this goal...

I totally respect Mrs Gravy's knowledge, I think you are a fabulous resource for BFing Mommies.  I see that you are trying to educate people with what you believe is the best way to nourish a baby.  I get that and I respect that.  I think sometimes though people end up more... well - afraid and unsure about what to do, or upset that they may have done something wrong to their babe.  Which really isn't the case.  Everyone is an individual, as is ever baby.  There are MANY different "Right" ways.

Love, and respect
Zoe

[Colin Macs Mom]

LOL Zoe I love having you around here.

Our DSs must be related somehow. He was also early, c-section and formula fed, solids starting at 4.5 mo at the doc's insistence. At his nine month check he was 24 lbs 12 oz and 28 in. long.     

[Cory'stiredmommy]

Charlie and Yasmin's mom wrote:
"i mean Sarina if your lo was in hospital and losing weight everyday you cant tell me that if the docs said we need to start this baby on solids or it will die of hunger you would say no their gut wont be able to take it."
I thought this was a safe place where we can be free to ask questions, engage in discussion and express our thoughts -- guess I was wrong!  I think the tone of your response is attacking in nature and I also think that it is very insulting. This is a general discussion - nothing more - nothing less - and definitely not about extreme situations. Perhaps if you look at my question in that context, you wouldn't feel so threatened by it!

[Tonya]

Hey ladies,

I'm sorry some of you have been offended.  This is a highly debatable subject, and everyone certainly does have their own opinions.

There has been alot of information shared in this thread, and I think it's been very valuable overall.

We've all been able to express our own thoughts, how about we just close this discussion for now?

[Kimberly®]

LOL Zoe I love having you around here.

Our DSs must be related somehow. He was also early, c-section and formula fed, solids starting at 4.5 mo at the doc's insistence. At his nine month check he was 24 lbs 12 oz and 28 in. long.     

LOL All three of our LO's must be all be related   

DD was also early (only about 2-3 weeks they wern't sure) and I had a c-section, I formula fed (no milk  ) and I fed solids at 4.5 months for savere reflux and failure to thrive..

at 9 month appointment (today) she is 19.5 lbs.. (ok so still little..) 32 inches long (YIKES!!) and healthy as a clam.. (whats that mean anyway??  healthy as a clam?? 

Long lost cousins???



This is one of those subjects everyone needs to agree to disagree on

OK I'll be quiet now..

[*Natasha*]

Ok lets just agree that everyone has different reasons for starting solids when they do and leave it at that.
Just remember that all babies are different just like we are all different and their needs are all different whether it be eating or sleeping. Just think if all our babies did the same thing and at the "correct" times then we wouldn't need this website for advice and support