I'm actually extremely surprised you were given that advice. Really quite surprised. Up until around 3 years ago 4 months was the general recommendation. Then after considering some new research on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding up until 6 months and the link between early solids and allergies the advice was pretty much universally changed to 6 months. So he is even early for the older 4 month recommendation - he's super-early for the new recommendations. Is his surname Heinz by any chance? Actually I'm being silly as even the food manufacturers now acknowledge the 6 months recommendation.
When I say 'the advice' has changed - I mean the official recommendation of
World Health Organisation,
UNICEF
US Department of Health & Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada
National Health Service in the UK
I'd imagine your chap has links with one of these organizations. It's taken a while to attitudes to change - 'surely babies aren't being satisfied by milk, but that baby wants to put things in her mouth etc'. But the message is getting through in most cases.
There are exceptions to the 6 month rule - like a baby with specific medical issues or a severe case of reflux where solids might be beneficial. But these are exceptions. 6 months is now the recommendation.
The days of 'looking for signs of readiness' (e.g. my baby can sit, he's eyeing up my sandwich) come from the days when we were looking to get in there with a spoon. Now it's more of a case of 'sorry mate, you need to hang on to 6 months'. I started a week before 6 months. I was too keen to get started! Next time I'd probably hang on a bit longer after all that I've read.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html has all the health organisation links.
AAP:
Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.100 Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula.101 Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet.102,103 It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.104
UK National Health Service site:
Food is often a source of worry to parents, with questions such as when to start introducing solid foods, what foods to begin with, and whether your baby will like it. Breast milk or formula milk provides all the nutrition that babies need for the first six months. Their stomachs can't digest other foods properly until this age. After this time, it's a good idea to start slowly introducing solids alongside milk, as your baby will start to need iron and other nutrients, and will also benefit from the different textures and tastes. By the age of 12 months they can be joining in with family meals.
http://www.nhsdirect.com/articles/article.aspx?articleId=664&PrintPage=1So your instincts were right. And I'm a bit curious as to why your doctor feels these recommendations are worth contradicting.
