Education about starting solids?

Question

My daughters pediatrician told me to start solids at 4 months but I’ve been hearing from people that it’s bad. I’d like to hear other people’s advice and if you have any FACTS to educate me on the subject. Please be kind, I’m a ftm wanting you educate myself ❤️

Answer

You CAN start foods as early as 4 months, but i think the AAP and most doctors recommend 6 months. I honestly think it depends on your baby's readiness. If a baby can sit & hold itself up in a high chair, shows interest in food when you're eating, and has lost their tongue-thrust reflex, then they may be ready to start solids. Another factor may be whether there is a high risk for food allergies or not. Just keep in mind whenever you do start solids that solid food is a "bonus" and should not replace breastmilk/formula. Baby should still get the majority of their calories and nutrients from milk/formula.

Answer

Waiting until 6 months reduces the future risks of obesity and diabetes as well as other things.  There are tons of studies on it that you can look up.  That’s why it’s the current recommendations.  It may not seem different early on but it affects them into adulthood.  With my teens, I started one at 4 months per doctor recommendation and the next at 6 months.  The one I waited until 6 months has a lot less tummy issues that I or my older daughter has (my mom started me on solids at 4 months).  We also both have blood sugar issues and I have to work so so hard to keep my weight in a healthy range.  I didn’t notice a difference early on but definitely do now.  It’s only a couple of months in their life to wait to reduce those risks.  I wish more doctors stuck with the current study based recommendations.

Answer

Starting too early can lead to lifelong problems such as obesity, diabetes, eczema, and GI issues (some of which don’t show up until later in life). 
However:
Starting on the earlier side can decrease the likelihood of food allergies. Food allergies are often heredity. Eczema, asthma, and allergies are all ‘cousins’ (if you will).  
So... 
If you and your child’s father have no family history of food allergies (In particular), or asthma or eczema, then I think it’s wise to wait until six months.

Answer

Definitely wait until 6. I don’t know why so many doctors encourage it at 4 months.

Answer

To me, it depends on if your baby is ready. My son was interested in what we did with food during dinner and we started giving him homemade purees around 4 months. By 6 months we did baby led weaning and he just ate what we did.

Answer

You CAN, however it's hard on their stomachs.
I started at 4m and he had HORRIBLE CONSTIPATION, I stopped and waited until he was 6m , only fruit + veg ( avoid and still avoid bananas, oats, oatmeal, potatoes anything conspitating) . My son has an extremely sensitive stomach. 
I personally would reccomend start at 6m!  
3 days of ONE food no combos to see how they do on it. 
Ect ect ect.

Answer

I started at 4 months as well. Banana green beans peas and apple sauce. He loved it. He always tried to get at our food. Now hes 7 months and eating on & toast and LOVES flour tortillas and puffcorn.

Answer

I started occasionally giving my son things at 4mo and then regularly giving him solids at 6mo

Answer

No advice or factual evidence but I started at 4 months with my first and 6 months with my second and I don’t really see a difference between them.

Education about starting solids?

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