Starting solid?

Question

The pediatrician told us today that we can introduce solids to our 4 month old. But a lactation consultant from the hospital said 6 months is recommended because that’s when their digestive tract would be mature. Should I wait or just introduce?
Edit: Not solids completely. I meant purées. So baby oatmeal with either water or breast milk. Or puréed veggies and fruits.

Answer

Is your baby showing signs of readiness? My son (22m now) was sitting unassisted and literally stealing food off my plate by the time he turned 4m. At the dinner table he would intently watch every spoonful of food go from the plate to someone's mouth. So we started him at 4m because he wanted it so badly, and he's never had any problems. My daughter (May baby) is about 3.5m now and can't really sit and hasn't started showing interest in food so unless a lot changes in the next 2 weeks we won't start her yet.
I've read a lot of the recommendations and everything I've seen either says 4-6m or "and 6m with signs of readiness". Also trust your own instincts. Like I said, with my son it was super obvious he was ready for food. With my daughter it's not so we're erring on the side of caution.

Answer

Mine will be starting after her 4 month check up with the doctor’s all ok. She’s got all other signs of readiness. My pedi’s office changed their recommendation from 6 to 4 months in 2017 after a large study was released linking earlier exposure to less food allergies. Every baby is evaluated individually before they get the ok.
I wouldn’t change pediatricians as suggested in a previous response unless they make you feel uncomfortable in multiple areas of care. They are probably following the same guidance as ours. Guidelines in healthcare that are put out by the big organizations take years to catch up to studies. Ask your pedi why they recommend 4 months and see what their response is. They should be able and willing to explain their recommendations. If they don’t, that’s when it’s time to change providers.

Answer

My 18 month old son’s feeding therapist recommends 6 months due to the development of motor and feeding skills going hand-in-hand. We starting our March baby at 6 months based on her recommendations. However, our pediatrician did say 4 months for purées, but we want to wait based on the new suggestion.

Answer

My almost 5 month old started rice cereal a week ago. We were told she could start solids at 4 months but I’m just going with her flow. She showed signs of readiness and is loving the rice cereal. Doing great with the spoon. I’ll probably wait a few weeks then start some veggies.

Answer

The World Health Organisation recommends that solids be introduced at “around 6 months”.
It’s a little annoying because it’s quite an ambiguous time frame. 
I’ve always looked at it as a general guide however it has to be combined with the signs of readiness.
Some babies are more ready than others or it’s recommend for a specific medical reason.
If this isn’t the case for your baby though you’re best off waiting to start until closer to six months

Answer

My ped told me to start introducing but I've decided to wait until 6 months

Answer

Pediatricians aren't educated on nutrition, I'd wait. And honestly I'd switch peds if mine said that to me.

Answer

Our son's pediatrician said if we wanted we could start on rice cereal but that it is actually recommended to start solids around 6 months with the proper developmental milestones having been met. My little guy just turned 4 months on the 15th and he's got some of these milestones but he is not sitting unassisted, still has tongue thrust and I haven't noticed a pincers grasp but he does grab things.

Answer

Our daughter was 4 months on August 29 and we’ve introduce oatmeal. Probably next week we will introduce a vegetable (most likely carrot). Do fruits last. Babies can be reluctant to try other foods if you do sweet fruits first.

Answer

Mine said we could start him on solids now if he's showing interest, but I will be waiting until mid-October at the earliest (he will be a little over 5 months then).

Starting solid?

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