Why no solids until 6 months?

Question

When I had my daughter, the guidelines for starting solid foods were 4-6 months. I now have a 5 month old son who is giving me every indication that he is ready for more than breast-milk. He's grabbing for our food, making chewing motions with his mouth, crying whenever we eat, and he can sit upright.

What's more, he's now only pooping once a week and wanting to eat every 1 1/2 to 2 hours (after being on a very good 4 hour schedule for about 2 months).

I really want to make an informed decision about starting solids, but I can't find any information regarding why the guidelines have been changed. Can anyone tell me what benefit there is in waiting until 6 months?

Answer 1

They changed due to recent studies showing an increased rate of allergies in babies who were given solids prior to 6mths. It's anywhere between 4-6 mths that the tummy 'closes', so they say 6mths now because some babies were having problems prior to 6mths. It's not for sure your baby will have an issue with food prior to the 6mth mark, but it just makes sure he wont if you wait. I've pasted below what I was trying to explain above about an open gut as they refer to it. There are also 4 or 5 other reasons to delay. I started solids 2 days before my girl turned 6mths old, she was driving us crazy at the dinner table like your son is apparently doing. She would eye everything we had with such longing... no one else understood why I wanted to wait but I insisted! Heck, I was the one nursing her all the time, it was my call! Talk to your pediatrician and get his/her opinion on this.

From article below:
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. During baby's first 4-6 months, while the gut is still "open," antibodies (sIgA) from breastmilk coat baby's digestive tract and provide passive immunity, reducing the likelihood of illness and allergic reactions before gut closure occurs. Baby starts producing these antibodies on his own at around 6 months, and gut closure should have occurred by this time also.

Answer 2

The reason they say 6 months is to ensure that the baby's digestive system is mature enough to handle solids. If it's not, it can increase the risk of allergies in the future. Simply put, there are little holes in the lining of the intestines that close over time. If they're not closed over enough, some of the food molecules can seep through and cause an allergic reaction. That's essentially the same idea behind the increased chance of diabetes on foods started too early - that their system may not have matured enough to handle solids.
That being said, I started my daughter at four months on solids for many of the same reasons you stated above. There is no family history of allergies at all, and she has not had any reactions. I know, I'm a horrible mother.

Answer 3

You are right - your baby is telling you he is ready for some food. Even though there are guidelines, each baby is different. I started my son on baby oatmeal at 4 months. Go ahead and give it a try. If he makes the chewing motion and swallows the oatmeal then he is ready. If he is doing a tongue thrusting movement and pushing the oatmeal out of his mouth then that would be an indication that he is not ready. Guidelines are just that, guidelines. They are not written in stone! Good Luck!

Answer 4

It is still recommended between ages of 4-6 months, breastfed babies closer to six months. To avoid food allergies, and to ensure babies digestive system is fully developped. You are the mom, so it's your choice, if you feel the baby is ready, then go ahead. Start with your single grain cereals, and work your way up. Mother still knows best, but if you notice baby is not as ready as you thought, just wait a week and try again.

Answer 5

I have the greatest pediatrician. He doesn't get so abnoxious about all of these studies that contradict each other. He is very up to date and relevant with everything, but has been a pediatrician for over 30 years. He also believes that your baby will "let you know." At four months my baby was on cereal and baby food. He has had no issues with his tummy and has been great with feedings.

Answer 6

My son's doctor told me for a baby that was not a preemie (My son was born almost 3 months early) she has parents start at 4 months. I would make a quick call to his doctor tomorrow or monday and ask them, but if he is doing all of that he might be ready for rice cereal.

Answer 7

My pediatrician additionally pronounced beginning oatmeal/cereal at 4 months. It somewhat relies upon on regardless of if the breastmilk or formula is reducing it, or if the toddler desires something extra important in his tummy. My son became tall for his age and easily benefitted from a pair extra energy.

Answer 8

Every child is different. Since he is acting like he is ready, I'd say go for it. With my 2 girls I istarted feeding them when they acted ready, I didnt wait till they were 6 months.

Answer 9

you could start your son on the starter baby food and they say donot give children under 4 months soilds it cause there tummys cannot digestite it properly