How do you know when to start solids

[tayasmummy]

Dd is 12wks and I figure while she's still sleeping during the day id do some reading on books and online about when to start solids.

I'm now completely confused. Some things say to start at 4months with one meal of solids each day.. and others say not to start until 6months.

And some things say if u start early it increases chances of allergies and others say the longer u leave the chances increase. So I'm not sure what to do...

when is the best time to start solids?

Thankyou




Sent from my HTC Legend using BubHub

[Elijahs Mum]

I personally think 6 months, their pancreatic enzyme to digest food doesn't reach adequate levels until 6 months, plus the baby should be able to sit unaided and have lost the tongue reflex which is usually at 6 months, we started DS at 6 months and don't forget (unless there are allergies in the family) you can give them any food after 6 months ( except honey) so eggs, fish, nuts etc are fine, food is fun before 1 so no need to rush, have a look into Baby Led Weaning

[grumpybump]

6 months is definitely the way to go for "most" babies, although it really depends on what is best for your bub, some may want to start earlier or later.

I remember reading somewhere that bubs start to need more iron in their diet from 6 months as the iron in breastmilk runs out around 6 months (could be confused about this though). A good sign that your bub is ready for solids is if they start waking up again at night (if they are sleeping through of course). This shows that they are getting hungry and need extra nutrition and iron from solids.

This was the cue that I followed for my DS and it was around 6 months of age and he took to solids with gusto.

[Loulabelle]

There is a great section about bubs being ready for solids ie sitting unaided, losing the tongue thrust reflex etc in the Baby Led Weaning book. This is a great book well worth getting.
Babies do need additional iron after 6 months. Although breast milk is low in iron it is the most easily absorbable source if iron on the planet. Unfortunately formula and rice cereal etc has to be supplemented with iron which is hard to absorb. Therefore they need to put a lot in there for babies to absorb tiny amounts. This is part of the reasons babies often get constipation from consuming these foods.
The current recommendations about starting solids is still around 6 months This has not changed (so definately not 4 months as some people state). The best way to avoid allergies is to continue breastfeeding while introducing solids. There is a heap of research about this. The Lactation Centre in Melbourne can give you some research papers if you are interested (much more informative than myths and the rubbish that people with no nutritional knowledge like to tell us).
Also breastmilk or formula is the most important source of nutrition for a child's FIRST year of life. So they don't need to be stuffed full of solids to start with. I love the saying "food is for fun until they turn one". Good luck with your LO

[Arusaamatus]

We started our son on solids at 3.5 months.

At that point it was more of a "we'll give him a taste here and there", what we gave him was never considered a meal and was only a couple of spoonfuls until he was 4-5 months old.

We took his cues as to if he was ready or not. He could hold his head up very well, had more than doubled his birth weight (I'd heard from a few sources that if a baby has doubled his birth weight, it can be one of a few indicators that he's ready for solids ). The main indicator for us though, was that he was always trying to grab the food WE were eating, and he just never seemed satisfied after having milk.

We spoke to our doctor about it during one of his appointments and mentioned we'd started him somewhat early on solids. She seemed happy with where he was at and just asked what kinds of things he was eating (which at the time was Only Organic brand purees, just simple single fruit ones to start). DS has no allergies whatsoever, and enjoys a wide variety of food (there's not a fruit out there that he DOESN'T like )

I'd recommend speaking to your child's doctor. They can give you some great advice and may help you decide if your kid's ready or not, and will be able to tell you what to avoid until your baby's older.

[Penny88]

Subscribing. My DS is nearly 5 months but stares me down when I eat like Stewie Griffin staring at Lois.

[tayasmummy]

Thankyou everyone
Ill read the baby led weaning book and see what that says! and when I have dd's visit with the health nurse next ill ask them. Ill have to find out if her being prem would effect when I choose to start solids.

[tayasmummy]

Also, does anyone know when to start giving water?

I know some mum with LO same age as DD (12weeks) and they give them cooled boiled water. Should I be doing this? or are they to young?

I thought they should only be given water once there older as they kidneys arent developed enough to digest the water?? Could be wrong tho

[Elijahs Mum]

If she is breastfed she won't need water now , if she is bottle fed a little cooled boiled water in a bottle especially when it's hot is a good idea, it won't hurt just don't let her fill up on water before bm/formula