Starting Solids - Chandler,AZ

I don't think it's a huge deal, I wouldn't stress over it. I waited until 6 months, I don't think they need it or are overly ready for it before then. I have no comment on the allergies, my thoughts were just about if they were ready or not. 4 months strikes me as being so little thay they have no idea what they are supposed to do with thick stuff in their mouths. :) If you decide to wait...it's really not that long from where you are at now, so I'd just give it a few weeks. Good luck!

The dr is offering advice...you can start your child on solids whenever you want! I started my daughter at 4 months, but I started my son at 6 months...every child is different, if you are worried def wait, it won't hurt anything to wait a few months.

I too think you can wait. No harm in that. My baby will be 6 mos tomorrow (how we count the days) and "I" dont want to start solids... or juices...or mushes - for gosh sakes he cant even sit up by himself yet. sure he can be propped but i just want to wait. I am breasfeeding and my guy was 19.4 lbs the other day. we went to the doc because he has his first cold and mild ear infection. my ped said that i could start him on fruits, veggies, or juices if i wanted. so i dont have to start with cereal? no - because that is a weight gainer which he doesnt need. (meats at 9 mos.) but i still am not ready. the problem i am having though is that he doesnt get a bottle much and he still doesnt have a good swallow reflex so all of his medicine was going down his chin - and mixing it in a bottle (or sippy - that was a sight!)- it was just a chewy. my docs concern is lack of iron at this age because he is breastfed, but he doesnt like his vitamins much. we will have to practice and make messes.

so - you can wait. I have yet to get a high chair.

Hi S.,
I would go with your gut. There is no problem waiting until 6 months if you think that is best and feel most comfortable waiting. My doctor encouraged me to wait 6 months as my daughter had a cows milk protein allergy. She has since grown out of it and tolerates all foods just fine. I don't think it has anything to do with my waiting to feed her but there were no issues with her waiting until she was 6 months. Since the guidelines say 4-6 months don't push it. Some babies aren't even ready developmentally until then.

Don't do it! Wait until 6 months - it is so much better for them, to allow their digestive systems to develop. I got some stupid chart from my doctor's office that started them on solids at 4 months but my doctor wasn't really a proponent of it. Do what you feel is best for your little one!!!

Hey,
I started at 6 months because at that time the information available was saying that was best. Your doctor probably has access to the latest studies way before they hit the parenting magazines and what to expect books, so he may be right. But, if you feel nervous about just blinding taking that advice, which is totally justifiable...you're the mommy, not him, I would maybe ask if you could have access to some of the journal articals that cover this new evidence, because you're curious and would like to stay informed.

Hi S.,

You can wait as long as you want for solids. The purpose of introducing solids at this stage is to get him used to different tastes and textures and so practice moving it from the front of the mouth to the back with the tongue. There is no "need" for food at this point because breast milk or formula provides all the nutrients your growing little bundle of joy needs. With my first, I really had no idea what I was doing, nor did I do much research and started him on rice cereal at the Dr's urging at 4 mos. He hated it, but thinking Dr knows best, we kept at it. He was perfectly healthy in everyway, so he didn't need it. With my second, I knew better and just breastfed her until she was really interested in our food, and then I started her on babyfood (most of which I made simply by steaming the veggie I wanted to give her and pureeing it in my magic bullet; a great money saver when you are starting on baby food; also you dont have to start with cereal, you can start with something easy to mush like banana, avacado, or unsweetened applesauce). Most importantly, although Dr's are well educated and well trained, you are well educated and well trained on your baby, so if you feel waiting is better, just wait, or tell the Dr you would prefer to wait longer. There is no harm in that. Most all the time your instincts about your baby are right. Also (I know, this is long, so this will be my last point) two months in a 6 month old baby's life is a very, very long time (1/3 of his life actually) so that gives all those little baby organs lots of time to develop more and be ready for what's to come. Good luck! :)

Follow your own mommy instinct and wait for 6 months. My ped said 5 months, and I still waited till six. Here is a great website for when you and baby are ready to start:
www.wholesomebabyfood.com

We started our sitting up by himself, almost crawling, constantly active, not sleeping through the night, and light for his age son on cereal at 4.5 months. His sleeping got much better. We started veggies slowly about a month later, and so far (8 mos) so good. If allergies is your reason, that's probably a good issue on which to trust that your doctor has the right science (and if you don't trust it, perhaps a discussion or a new doctor is in order). But that also doesn't mean you have to start him on solids if he's growing fine now.