I started around that time . They recommend at 6 months. But when you try solids for the first time you have to give them the same food alone for a few days to make sure there's no reaction to it. Once there's no reaction then you can move onto the next food.
You'll get a lot of opinions, but opinions are like buttholes. Everyone has one and they're usually full of shit.
Here's some facts instead:
Solids are anything beyond breastmilk or formula. This includes: cereals, juices, purée, etc.
Not only is 6 months an important milestone, but there are also other factors that should ALL be met before introducing: sitting unsupported, loss of tongue thrust, pincher grasp are huge. These ensure your baby isn’t at risk for, amongst other things, choking. Baby being interested is very low on that list. Babies are curious, babies mimic- this does not mean they are ready to eat.
Feeding solids too soon puts your child at risk for long term gut damage, obesity, diabetes, poor eating habits, chrons, IBS, celiacs, food allergies and more.
Also- remember, just because your baby has the ability to eat foods, they do not have the digestive enzymes to break down and process the nutrients. They will just eliminate them as waste and not get what they need. They need breastmilk and/or formula until 1 because of this.
“Well I fed mine at x age and they are fine”: you don’t know this unfortunately. These things aren’t seen until late teens and early adulthood. Will some kids be fine? Yes. Is it worth the risk? No. Once you know, it’s too late.
“My Pedi said so”: most pediatricians are not up to date on infant nutrition. The WHO and AAP say 6 months, if your pedi goes against that question WHY they’d go against the recommendation and research of their peers.
“My baby is hungry”: be sure you’re pace feeding. It should take 5 mins per ounce when done properly. This is because you don’t want to stretch their bellies and it also takes time for their hormones to trigger a “full” feeling. Then— feed baby more formula or breastmilk.
“My baby is advanced”: sure. We all think that. However, they can’t turn 6 months early. And for preemie mamas- this means 6 months adjusted.
“My baby has reflux”: cereal for reflux is an outdated treatment. It should be used as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted and all testing has been completed. And for those who argue there’s formula with cereal- no that’s rice starch not cereal. That’s a topping for later though.
Don’t believe me? Here are some links (including Canada and the WHO since location is sometimes brought up as an argument)
6 months is when it is generally considered safe for their tummies. You can certainly wait until later though if you can tell baby isn’t quite ready. Also no cereal in a bottle as it’s a choking hazard (some people still do this but they’re just uneducated, don’t value the safety of their children, or have a baby with serious colic issues that can’t keep anything down)
Also remember food before one is just for fun. They don’t need anything but breastmilk/formula until they’re 1 years old so no pressure getting them to eat the food until they’re 1.
Good luck girl!✨ starting solids is an exciting thing!
I started my daughter at exactly 6 months and she gagged every time so I stoppes trying. When she hit 7 months I tried and she still wasn't ready. Around 7.5 almost 8 she started doing really well. It all depends on your baby.
Deleted·
It’s best to wait until 6 months for anything besides breastmilk or formula.
Jessie Lauvray·
I started around that time . They recommend at 6 months. But when you try solids for the first time you have to give them the same food alone for a few days to make sure there's no reaction to it. Once there's no reaction then you can move onto the next food.
Lanie Jay·
You'll get a lot of opinions, but opinions are like buttholes. Everyone has one and they're usually full of shit.
Here's some facts instead:
Solids are anything beyond breastmilk or formula. This includes: cereals, juices, purée, etc.
Not only is 6 months an important milestone, but there are also other factors that should ALL be met before introducing: sitting unsupported, loss of tongue thrust, pincher grasp are huge. These ensure your baby isn’t at risk for, amongst other things, choking. Baby being interested is very low on that list. Babies are curious, babies mimic- this does not mean they are ready to eat.
Feeding solids too soon puts your child at risk for long term gut damage, obesity, diabetes, poor eating habits, chrons, IBS, celiacs, food allergies and more.
Also- remember, just because your baby has the ability to eat foods, they do not have the digestive enzymes to break down and process the nutrients. They will just eliminate them as waste and not get what they need. They need breastmilk and/or formula until 1 because of this.
“Well I fed mine at x age and they are fine”: you don’t know this unfortunately. These things aren’t seen until late teens and early adulthood. Will some kids be fine? Yes. Is it worth the risk? No. Once you know, it’s too late.
“My Pedi said so”: most pediatricians are not up to date on infant nutrition. The WHO and AAP say 6 months, if your pedi goes against that question WHY they’d go against the recommendation and research of their peers.
“My baby is hungry”: be sure you’re pace feeding. It should take 5 mins per ounce when done properly. This is because you don’t want to stretch their bellies and it also takes time for their hormones to trigger a “full” feeling. Then— feed baby more formula or breastmilk.
“My baby is advanced”: sure. We all think that. However, they can’t turn 6 months early. And for preemie mamas- this means 6 months adjusted.
“My baby has reflux”: cereal for reflux is an outdated treatment. It should be used as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted and all testing has been completed. And for those who argue there’s formula with cereal- no that’s rice starch not cereal. That’s a topping for later though.
Don’t believe me? Here are some links (including Canada and the WHO since location is sometimes brought up as an argument)
https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/HALF-Implementation-Guide/Age-Specific-Content/pages/infant-food-and-feeding.aspx
http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/complementary_feeding/en/
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/infant-care/infant-nutrition.html
https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_breastfeeding.html
http://www.who.int/features/qa/21/en/
K·
Wait til she shows all the signs of readiness before you introduce foods
💛·
6 months is when it is generally considered safe for their tummies. You can certainly wait until later though if you can tell baby isn’t quite ready. Also no cereal in a bottle as it’s a choking hazard (some people still do this but they’re just uneducated, don’t value the safety of their children, or have a baby with serious colic issues that can’t keep anything down)
Also remember food before one is just for fun. They don’t need anything but breastmilk/formula until they’re 1 years old so no pressure getting them to eat the food until they’re 1.
Good luck girl!✨ starting solids is an exciting thing!
Uhhhh·
We started BLW at 6 months with breast milk. Breast milk and formula are the main source of nutrition until age 1.
We started with like steamed veggies. We honestly skipped baby oatmeal and baby cereal 🤷.
Uhhhh··
My pediatrician also follows the AAP and recommends waiting until 6 months of age.
Jaz·
I started my daughter at exactly 6 months and she gagged every time so I stoppes trying. When she hit 7 months I tried and she still wasn't ready. Around 7.5 almost 8 she started doing really well. It all depends on your baby.