When to Start Solids - Springfield,OR

I waited until my kids were interested in solids.

#1 hit the pediatrician-recommended mark at 6 months, #2 a little earlier at 5 months (he wanted to get his hands into everything ;) ), #3 at 8 or 9 months (yes, I exclusively breastfed to that time, even I can't believe it, but it was what made sense), #4 at about 4 months (lots of bigger kids to try to live up to!).

I really think the 4 months was a little early, physically, but he really wanted to be a big(ger) guy.

So, you know ... whatever. People used to wean at like 2 weeks in America. My experience supports the general pediatrician advice (probably the only thing I agree with the AMA about regarding birth and babies, sigh) ... my kids started reaching for the food and watching the whole eating/meals thing, was how I gauged it.

For the first year an infants PRIMARY source of nutrition should be breastmilk or formula.

That said;

All babies digestive systems develop differently. There's no magic number. Heck, I've known one baby who were started on pulverized adult food at 2 weeks because the mum lost her milk and they were stuck in Uganda (fortunately they got to a village with nursing mothers and the baby was able to be wet nursed). Tasting (or practice as another poster said :) can really start any time. The most common is around 6 months. Some babies can digest food at 6 months, others it causes tremendous gas/colic/diarrhea/vomiting. For most it's somewhere in between.

If you're on this board long enough you'll notice something. A HUGE number of requests dealing with digestive problems around 6-7 months. The old-school of thought was that introducing foods is just that...introducing. A lick here. A taste there. Cheerios more for motor practice that anything else. Not really expecting any kind of nutritional benefit until approaching or after the first year.

Lately though, you'll see a trend of women actually trying to do "meals" with their infants. Mostly it doesn't work (digestive problems, sleep problems...there's not enough calories or fats in babyfood for growing babies). For some it does work. Babies are ALL different, or there wouldn't be milestone ranges, sleep problems, height/weight charts, eating issues, etc. We all very quickly become experts in our own :) but that doesn't translate even to a neice or nephew...much less outside our genetic pool. A child who was born at 10 lbs 23 inches and is 30lbs & 32 inches at a year from a family that's all over 6 feet, is going to have vastly different nutritional needs/patterns than a 6 lb, 17 inch baby who is only 15 lbs 22 inches at a year from a petit family.

Mostly it has to do with paying attention to your own child, seeing how they react, and not pushing an agenda unless (like my friend in Uganda), it's an emergency. Remember, regardless of when you introduce solids; for the first year an infants PRIMARY source of nutrition should be breastmilk or formula.

The signs are licking their lips, staring at you eat, trying to taste your food, and a happy or quizical reaction when you do let them try it (as opposed to scrunching up their faces, trying to spit it out, vomitting/colic/etc later in the day, or any sign of allergic reaction).

The most recent recomendation is for exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months.
Now, that said I personally believe that it won't do any harm to occasionally let a baby older than 4 months try a spoonful here and there (that's what we did) before to seriously start feeding solids every day, unless you have allergy, asthma or food sensitivity issues running in your family.

Most breastfed babies (and any bottlefed baby I know for that matter) will still need a nighttime feeding, even after they are taking solids - just so you are prepared that it may not help with sleeping through the night. Breastmilk should be your baby's main source of nutrician through the first year.

I would suggest that you bring it up with your pediatrician. It really depends on your child's health and your family history as well.

Most doctors recommend starting between 4 and 6 months. So, 17 weeks is old enough.

Bear in mind that breastmilk has more calories than solid food, so you won't see any "sleeping through the night" or other behaviors that people often attribute to starting solids. Until they're around 12 months, eating solid food is mostly practice.

I started both my kids on bananas and unsweetened applesauce. Have fun with it! Just smash a banana, or buy regular (adult) unsweetened applesauce rather than the "baby specific" kind - it's the same thing and a lot less expensive. Also, consider making your own baby food - it's way cheaper than those cute little jars, and tastes a LOT better. I got a Magic Bullet blender (they have them at Walgreens, or online you can get 2 for 1 and save one for a baby shower gift!) and just smushed up whatever veggie we were having with dinner. I used jarred food when we were out, but rarely. I found it a lot easier to just order something that the baby could eat, too (pasta, veggies, fruit - most restaurants have applesauce, etc.).

A. @ http://prettybabies.blogspot.com

She is probably ready to start rice cereal, but her digestive tract is not ready for more complex foods than that until 6 months. She learns by practicing, so go for it and just don't expect her to eat a huge amount... just to enjoy trying.

I started trying "solids" at around 4 months for both my kids... start with something bland like rice cereal and just a small amount at a time. You'll know if they are ready for more if they swallow... if not they will push it out with their tounge. Just keep trying - it's a developmental thing. Some babies are ready earlier than others.

somewhere between 4-6 months is the recommended age. Also if she is watching and interested in your food that is a sign she may be ready. If she pushes the food out then she is not ready, try again a week later.

All current recommendations are to breastfeed exclusively for at least the first 6 months. She still has about 2 months before she'll be old enough for solids.

Signs of readiness CAN include: interest in what others are eating, reaching for foods on the table, being able to accept an object (like a spoon) in their mouth without their tongue automatically thrusting it out, etc.

You could try some rice cereal or avocado and see what she does. I wouldn't say it's too soon to try, but don't expect her to become an "eater" for a while yet. This will be an exploration stage.

Pediatricians today are recommending that you hold off on offerings solids, especially carbohydrates, until at least 6 months of age because of a recent study linking the early introduction to carbohydrates and juvenile onset diabetes. If your daughter is satisfied still with just breast milk and isn't acting hungry after a good nursing session she does not need solids.

My advice would be to wait until after 6 months. As you know breast milk or formula should be your baby's primary nutrition. It is fun and exciting to start food! They are so sweet and cute when they first start eating. From a practical standpoint, you will learn soon that it is quite messy (save the clothes(stains) and laundry time) and time consuming as well. Once you start the "solids" you will feel obligated to do it everyday and feel guilty if you miss. The baby's poop gets stinky after you start solids as well. Give yourself a break and let your baby be a little baby a bit longer. Before you know it she will be eating and drinking like a champion. Why rush? However, I firmly believe that you are the best parent for your child so do what your heart and head tell you to do.

I started each of my boys on rice cereal at 16 weeks. Make it thin, and spoon feed a small amount. If She can move the food to the back of her mouth with her tongue and swallow it, then she is ready. She she chokes on it then wait 3 or 4 days and try again. Once she is taking rice cereal daily, then you can start new foods one a week, like oat cereal, then veggies, and fruits. Do one new food a week so you can look for any allergies. Good luck!!