Solids - San Antonio,TX

It depends on the kids.
Both of my kids were ready earlier than later. They were both good eaters from the beginning. It takes longer for some kids to get interested.

Here's something to bake your noodle: More and more peds are recommending what was the norm before formula (formula was quite dangerous for the first 20+ years, and moderately dangerous for 20 more so docs wanted children off of it as soon as possible). What was the norm before formula, you may ask?

12 months to START, with it being a mix of breastmilk and table food until 18mo - age 2.

Of course, these days formula is almost as good as most breastmilk (better in some cases) and can actually be fed on demand with no rigid schedules (scheduling was also a byproduct of formula, because without the scheduling babies died).

Baby's digestive tracts mature at different rates, bell curve style. Most can *handle* (meaning they get some nutrition from it/ doesn't mess with their sleep/ no gas, colic, constipation) at 9 months. About half can at 6mo. Very few can at 3 months and very few can't at 12 month.

Now TECHNICALLY one can start solids on day 1 (and in places without formula and no other nursing mothers, one has to). It's a very difficult journey that consists mostly of bone marrow, milk, and meats and veg that (meats and veg that have been CHEWED to a paste - the enzymes in the chewers saliva start breaking down the food so that they baby's body can digest it/ start making their own enzymes copying the introduced ones). It TOTALLY changes development / milestones, because the digestive system gets put on *priority* AND because it's physically impossible to duplicate the DENSE nutrtition found in breastmilk or formula with tablefood. Babies' stomachs just aren't big enough. The ratios are apx 70% marrow, 20% milk (if available, if not, soup stock that has been boiled with bones until the bones squish between your fingers), 10% meat. Veg is added only as something of a garnish. Babies on this diet are strongly discouraged from moving more than absolutely necessary (carried sling and papoose) so that gross motor is delayed, and they typically start sitting up and crawling at about 1 year old. Otherwise, they burn through their calories instead of using it to grow their brains and organs. By age 2, there is no developmental difference between babies started on table foods at day 1, and those who nursed for a year.

There is now strong suspicion that part of the obesity epidemic in america is closely linked with infants not receiving proper nutrition in past generations, because they were switched onto table foods that were low in nutrients (baby food, cereals) because it sets up the metabolism to consider itself in a famine area, so it naturally hoards calories given every available opportunity, and stacks fat before it stacks brain, muscle, bone, and other vital organs (so possible asthma link)... but the far more important aspect is brain development. Which is why the APA recommends that primary nutrition be from formula or breast milk until 1 year.

It's going to take another 20 years for the studies on infant nutrition that are looking at Americas habit of starting infants off on solids as a significant part of their diet before 1 year old (as opposed to the rest of the West, which starts off later), but hopefully by then it will be a moot point.

ANYHOW, point being, tasting is always fine... but I'd strongly recommend that unless their is medical need (like reflux, or certain other disorders) that you hold off for another 8 months.

Ditto Riley.

Solids.... is NOT as nutritionally dense as breastmilk/Formula.
For the 1st year of life, breastmilk/Formula is a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition... NOT solids and not other liquids.
And to nurse/give Formula, on-demand for the 1st year.

There is no 'rush' to give solids.
For the 1st year, it is only an 'introduction' to eating. Not a baby's main course nor main source of sustenance.

To me, giving solids at 4 months, is not something to do.

The 1st year of life especially, is a 'building block' period in a baby. Hence, breastmilk or Formula, and to feed on-demand.
Especially at growth-spurts.
Some say that a baby, from 6 months old, does not even 'need' night time feedings. But 6 months is a growth-spurt period. A baby's intake increases as well as feeding frequency. Intake of breastmilk/Formula, needs to be given, still. Not solids as the primary intake.

Even when giving solids... you need to breastfeed/give Formula, first. Before giving solids. Otherwise, baby will be too full to nurse and will 'wean' from breast.

All of this is also per our Pediatrician.
And this is what we did.
My kids as babies grew like weeds, on breastmilk alone and were always at least in the upper 97th+ percentiles for growth all around. And they were lean solid babies.
Sure, at 6 months I 'introduced" solids. But it was in no way, their main point. I nursed, on-demand still. And my kids still nursed on-demand every 3 hours or so. I nursed, 24/7, day and night. For the 1st year.

There is no rush, to give solids.
A baby, also, does not need to 'eat' solids, 3 times a day like adults. For the 1st year, it is gradually... worked up to, in frequency.
It is an introduction, to foods/eating.

Solids.... does NOT substitute for breastfeeding/Formula.
At all. Per nutrition and intake.

Some babies, even at 6 months old, will gag/spit out the food.
Because, their mouth/throat/tongue reflexes/pincher grasps, are not developed yet. For solids.
So that is something else to think about.
Some babies, at this age, are not even able, to sip from a sippy cup either.
The baby has to also display, indications, for solid readiness.

Totally up to you. I waited until 6-7 months with both of my boys. I had a very specific reason, though...my kiddos are at elevated risk of Type I diabetes, and introducing cereals between 6-8 months helps reduce the risk. That only applies to kids in the elevated risk category, though. Either way, you want the main source of nutrients to be breastmilk/formula. You can start very slowly with solids, and keep the amount very tiny at first.
If your kiddo is grabbing at your plate, sitting up alone, and you feel s/he is ready, start when it feels right to you!

I did 6 months with my first child and it was a battle to get her to eat. When we started, she was at the age that she was aware of her bottle and pacifier. When she saw the spoon of food, she knew that was new and wanted nothing to do with it for 3 months. We finally had to lower her milk consumption so she would eat (suggested by the Dr.).

I swore with my second I would not wait this long.

I just had my second and started at 4 months. I think it is young enough where they do not turn down new things because they have not fully developed the awareness. It has been soooooo much easier. He took rice cereal just fine. Also, I make his food and he actually eats it. My daughter did not.

It depends on your child and what works best for him or her. Your baby has to be ready to eat solids. If you try to give your baby a spoon of food and his or her tongue pushes the spoon out in reflex, then it is too early. We started our son at 4 1/2 months but he is a really great eater. Your baby might not be ready until 6 months or later and that's just fine. Solids are not as much about how much food as about practicing eating, sing beast milk or formula is main source of nutrition until 1 year.

My granddaughter's pediatrician recommended we keep her on baby foods until 6 months. We, however continued on with the gerber foods, just moved up the stages (1,2,and 3). She is now 2 yrs old, and we are now using the gerber graduates line. It keeps them from consuming fast foods and other unhealthy meals. She loves the meals, snacks, and milk beverage. I think because she has tasted so many different types of real tasting, (although pureed) fruits and veggies when she was a baby, is the reason she loves veggies now! It always amazes people when we go somewhere to eat that she perfers salads with lots of raw veggies instead of the fries and pastas. Hope this helped!!
P.S. She consumed breast milk until age 15 months

This is one of those things that is not age specific, but rather when your child is ready. If your baby is ready you can introduce solids at 4 months, but if you don't want to introduce solids and baby isn't ready, then don't. My firstborn son wasn't ready for solids until 8 months. My pediatrician recommends 6 months, but really they don't need solids their whole first year. As long as they are eating plenty of formula or breastmilk and having plenty of dirty diapers and gaining weight, then there is no need to introduce solids.

we waited until our kids were six months old. both our kids were in the 90% for weight. if your son is slightly smaller your pedi might have suggested to start him a bit sooner. it is believed that starting your child on solids before three months of age links to allergies.

Is your baby showing interest in what's on YOUR plate yet? That's often a sign that they are ready to try something more...

No reason a baby needs to start solids at 4 months. Do not let your ped bully you. He/she is clearly not up to date on current understanding of infant nutrition. Really baby doesn't NEED any solids at all until close to the end of the first year, but starting some during the second half of their first year helps them learn how to eat better ...there is a window of opportunity there where they can learn to eat solids better. My old ped tried to get me to start at 4 months as well with my first son but I did some research and decided no. It is better for their digestive systems to let them mature and develop further. I later left that pediatrician due to other bad advice she gave me about breastfeeding. There is alot of information to keep up with for doctors but really something like nutrition they should keep up with.

i split the difference and started both my kids at 5 months.

I started my daughter at 4 months because she was hungry and ready to eat. I was having some breastmilk supply issues so she wanted something more in addition to nursing often. I tried starting my son at 4 months but he wanted nothing to do with it. He was almost 7 months before he wanted anything to do with food. I am 36 weeks with baby #3 and plan to nurse exclusively for 6 months before adding foods even though my doctor says it is okay to start at 4 months. I think it is okay to wait a little longer if that is what you want to do. As long as your baby is getting plenty of breastmilk or formula then that is what they really need at this point anyway.

Is there some reason your pedi recommends 4 months? If baby is nursing well, or even on formula well, there is no reason for solids until 6 months. That is a very old fashioned idea, and you might want to shop around for another doctor if you think that is the case. If everything else is OK, just stick with your six month plan.

There is great debate out there and you will get a wide range of answers, but I started mine on solids when they started stealing the food off my plate! True story- we were in a restaurant when my oldest was 3.5 months old. He was sitting on my lap. He never tried to steal my food before and he was EBF up until that point. All of a sudden, he stuck his little hand out, grabbed a piece of meat off my plate and in the mouth it went! I had to fish it out, of course, but that next morning we started him on cereal.

Look for your child being interested in what you are eating. Is she watching you like a hawk while you are eating? Is she making chewing motions with her mouth while you chew your food? They have to get that connection between food on the fork goes in the mouth concept before you try it. Go with their signs of readiness, not some date on a calendar.

Good Luck!

I think it is more a personal decision based on indications you are getting from your child. My son was well ready for solids when he was 4 months old. He has always been a really good eater and we have had no problems with any type of food allergy.

6
or if you feel pressured to start @ 4, start slow, no rush
research shows to wait

4 months is too early in my opinion and with all the research I've done. I waited until 5 and a half, you know when your baby is hungry and wanting a little extra. Even when you do start, remember it's simply a little taste here and there, they still need all their nutrition from you!