What age did your baby start solids?

Question

My son is nearly five months old. When my eldest son (now 5) was a baby the recommendation was starting them at 4 months, my middle child (now 3) it was 4 - 6 months, and now with my youngest they are saying 6 months. He seems happy, but has started waking around 4 - 5am for a feed. People have suggested starting him on solids to help him start sleeping through again, but my last child started at 5 months and had terrible allergies. Am i just being paranoid or is my wanting to wait justified?

Answer 1

The current recomedation is 6 months, and I was told by my child's doctor that this is when the gut lining begins to mature, making it safer to eat solids without getting allergies.

Having said that, my son started rice and oatmeal cereal at 4 months because I was having a milk supply problem, and I found adding cereal more papatable than adding too much formula. I held off on other solids until 6 months.

You are completely justified in wanting to wait, given your other child's allergies. If you want your baby to eat more, but don't want to start solids yet because of your family's history of allergies, try adding extra milk to his diet. Either an extra bottle or an extra breastfeeding session.

Answer 2

Your wanting to wait is justified. Because you have a family history of allergies, it is definately okay for you to wait longer than average to start solid foods. I'd wait until 7 months just to be sure, then wait 7 days between introducing new foods. This is what I did, and we have a family history of food allergies. First daughter has no food allergies. Crossing my fingers it's the same for daughter #2 (who is 5 months old next week and hasn't started solids yet). I also delay solids because the early introduction of solids can lead to other problems besides food allergies-- obesity, diabetes, and GI tract issues are the biggies, all of which run in my husband's family. I'm not willing to take a chance with my baby's health, so I'm exclusively nursing until 7 months.

Answer 3

The guide lines are just guide lines.

Each baby is different. These are things I went by:

Does your baby nurse or have a bottle and still seem hungry?

Is your baby trying to grab food off your plate during dinner? (This is the really big sign they are ready!) I always held my babies in my lap during dinner, so they could see mommy eating.

Are they just interested in the smells during cooking?

Are they watching you or your plate while you eat?

Since you have a history of allergy, be sure to start only one new thing at a time and make sure you wait more than three days between adding a new food.
Keep a list of which foods you have added and when. If you see an allergy reaction it will be easier to figure out what is causing it.

One of children started eating at four months (she was grabbing the spoon from me and trying to put it in her mouth!!). One started at six months and one started five months.

Rely on what you think feels best for your child.

Tip: Even when they are just starting solids, give them a couple of safety spoons to hold in their little hands. This not only keeps their little hands out of the food on the working spoon, but helps them learn to hold the spoon for when they are ready to try and feed themselves.

Answer 4

Your wanting to wait is justified. The reason for waiting is prevent allergies, and when you do feed him solids just remember to feed him 1 food at a time for a few days at a time so you can spot allergies faster

Answer 5

studies have shown that starting a baby on solids before 6months can reduce the risk of developing allergies.
although a baby at any age can become allergic to certain foods.
my son was 3 weeks when i started him on cereal. he was eating6-8 ounces every feeding and waking every 2 hours.

Answer 6

With my first she was only breast fed till 5mths. She then started on the rice cereal and then the fruits. My son on the other hand was breast fed 4 mayb 3mths. He was eating rice, meats and vegetables. I found that strange BUT the Dr said as long as he can handle it it is OK. Every child is different. Good Luck, u r not being paranoid. Just a good mom.

Answer 7

My children are all grown and married now and I can't believe how things have changed. When I took my first child home I was told never put her on her back to sleep. Now it's always put them on their back to sleep. I started my children at different ages, on my own on baby rice cereal using formula and made it watery. My son was 2 months old. I was told by my pediatrician the earlier you start feeding them the sooner the fat cells start to grow. My son is now 29 yrs. old, 6 ft. tall and about 140lbs. Now do you think he is fat? For years he was 125lbs until I fattened him up...he was too thin. I think the mother's of today, including my own daughter read too many books about bringing up baby. Do what you think is best for the baby within reason of course and it doesn't hurt to check with the doctor or your own mother.

Answer 8

Is the only reason you are concerned about this because of what you THINK should happen? Because you can wait you know, if you want to. Formula should be enough for him, if not then bump him up to the next stage formula. If he is happy and you are happy then the status quo is the way to go. All children change their sleep patterns from time to time.

Answer 9

All mine started at four months. My currently 5 month old eats 3 meals a day--baby cereal, veggies and fruit.

Answer 10

i started my daughter off at nearly 4 months.

i dont blame you for being hesitant after the terrible allergies your other child had.

but sooner rather than later i think would be better to start them on solids for their own health even if you try your child out on something you gave your other child after you found out about the allergies.

no your not paranoid i would be exactly the same

goodluck to you and your precious children