Why can't I start my baby on pablum until six months?

Question

That is what the guidlines say but, why do they say that? What is the actual reason?

Answer 1

doctor does
bad idea

Answer 2

They recommend not to feed your baby pablum until about six months of age because the pablum might be to hard to digest.

I started my baby on pablum at 3 months as there wasn't enough nutrients in my breast milk to satisfy his hunger. It really helped and he slept through the night then.

Answer 3

momma2mingbu (I think that's her screenname) gave a great answer, but I didn't see a mention of GI illnesses occuring later in life due to early solids feeding. She did talk about open gut, but I didn't see specifics to problems later in life associated with GI tract issues. My hubby was given solid foods at 2 months of age and he struggles with problems in his GI tract. The GI tract is mature around 6 or 7 months of age, so it is best to start solids after it is matured. Before then, babies have an "open gut" where there are spaces between the cells in the intestines, so food can pass directly through into the bloodstream. It closes around 6 or 7 months so that is the bes time to start solid foods. I won't be starting solids on my current baby until 7 months at the earliest due to a history of GI tract problems in the family.

Answer 4

It takes up tummy room that would be better used for breastmilk. Also it can cause allergies to start solids too soon and a cranky screaming baby with a tummyache is no fun! It does NOT make them sleep through the night.

Answer 5

You baby's digestive system is not mature enough to handle anything other than mother's milk or baby formula and water until the age of five and a half to six months.

Answer 6

The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):

World Health Organization
UNICEF
US Department of Health & Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada

- Because they can't digest it yet prior to that age. Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature. The pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrase do not reach adult levels until around 7 months.
- Because they most likely haven't lost the tongue thrust reflex prior to that age.
- Because they are probably not sitting up unassisted before that age.
- Because starting solids too early can lead to allergies, asthma, respiratory illness, diabetes and obesity.
- Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness. Although babies continue to receive many immunities from breastmilk for as long as they nurse, the greatest immunity occurs while a baby is exclusively breastfed.
- Because breastmilk is a complete food, unlike baby foods, which provides all the various nutrients and packs the best "nutritional bang for your buck" vs. incomplete foods such as baby cereals. Formula is also more complete than solid foods.
- As mentioned, delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies. From birth until somewhere between four and six months of age, babies possess what is often referred to as an "open gut." This means that the spaces between the cells of the small intestines will readily allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream.This is great for your breastfed baby as it allows beneficial antibodies in breastmilk to pass more directly into baby's bloodstream, but it also means that large proteins from other foods (which may predispose baby to allergies) and disease-causing pathogens can pass right through, too.
- Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.

Answer 7

Two big reasons:
1. The earlier you start solids, the more likely food allergies develop.
2. Babies get all their nutrition from forumula or breastmilk until then.

Answer 8

Because breast milk is more suitable for your babys nutritional needs. and most of the baby cereal wont make it inside your child anyway. its more important to make sure that every bit of what goes in their bodies is nutritional and age-appropriate. plus, it just depends on the child. my daughter couldnt hold down anything but breast milk for 10 months. she was only 2 weeks premature, but had bad jaundice and as a result, a sluggish digestive system. she now can eat anything and is perfectly healthy. but dont give your child cereal just out of laziness and hope that they will stay fuller longer.

Answer 9

their tummy's aren't ready to handle solid food

Answer 10

bc