Whats the solids rush about?

Question

Why do parents these days tend to rush solids? Whats wrong with waiting until the child is eager and reaching for food?

Thats just the thing- Babies don't need solids for nutritents. Its BAD for them to start early, it can interefere with thier milk intake, or cause digestion issues.

I guess I can understand that its different for formula-fed infants. I would want something other than formula if I were a baby too!

But breastfed infants can take in as much milk as they want and it won't hurt them.

I understand the "fun" factor. I was there once myself, but after learning the facts, I did what was best for my son. Its even more fun to watch them eagerly grunting and reaching out and then finally getting the food!

Does idealism play into this? Do parents have that image of a little tiny baby and spoon feeding them? I know my husband had to get over that.

Answer 1

I think it is because the older generation pushes it so much. My son started solids when he was 4 months old and did fine with them (he was also exclusively breastfed). My daughter (also exclusively breastfed) was not interested in them until she was 8 months old. However, with both kids, my mom couldn't wait for me to start giving them what she called "real food." I guess the older folks thinks babies will starve without something other than breastmilk. Don't get me wrong, though, her and my dad are both VERY supportive of breastfeeding. They have actually learned a lot from me (as far as feeding babies) since my son was born 12 1/2 years ago. My mother had six kids and I was the only one she breastfed (only for 6 weeks - I tease her about that). Her mother (German) had 11 kids and breastfed all of them until 3 years of age. When my mom started having kids, though, formula was the "in" thing. What I am trying to say is that the old school way of thinking has bled through to our generation. Many people still think that formula and solid foods as soon as possible are the best things for a baby. Hopefully, over time, people will come to realize that there is just no substitute for breastmilk, and that solids can wait until BABY is ready!!

Answer 2

My baby started grabbing food off my plate at four months (she's done most of her physical milestones pretty early, her language ones later than "normal"). So, we went with it. Did about a week of baby food, and realized, hell, real sweet potatoes are better than baby ones, and she's scooping them from my plate into her mouth, so, why not? Tonight she had almost a full small can of no-salt green beans, some cheese, a bit of chicken breast I'd made in the crockpot, and a few puffs.

At eight months, the only foods this baby won't eat are grapes (sliced and with or without peel...just hates them) and squash. Or other baby foods except veggie puffs (ie. baby cereal, baby "mixes", etc.) She's a GREAT eater. Loves almost all veggies and fruits, cheese of all kinds (mozzarella, cheddar, pepper jack, swiss), meats (beef, pork, and chicken), tofu, spices, etc. I try to use fresh, organic, and/or home prepared foods, but she's had the occassional bite of packaged curry or whatever. We just avoid "junk" food (puddings, cookies, chips, etc.), and only give her milk/formula and water to drink.

I'm really hoping we'll avoid a prolonged mac and cheese phase by letting her take what she wants.

BTW, she's bottle fed with both breastmilk and formula.

Answer 3

Because people are ignorant.

They *used to* rush solids because mom was needed to work the farm, or go out to work. Then it became fashion. And look where it got us? An obesity and diabetes epidemic.

Also as near as I have been able to tell there is no proof that formula fed babies need solids any sooner than 12 months, same as breastfed babies. However their digestive tract is already pretty screwed so it probably doesn't matter as much if you start them earlier than 6 months.

Answer 4

Parents are rushing these days? Heh, this has been happening when I was a baby, and that's in the 70s...

My daughter started at six months. She is still BF though. She was never grabbing for food, but it doesn't mean that she doesn't like solids, because she enjoys yogurt and fruit very, very much. If I technically waited until she showed 'interest' by grabbing, I'd wait for a long time because in her eyes, there are far more interesting things than my food - like toys, etc.

Answer 5

I teach parents about feeding as part of my job, and most parents are just so excited about it, especially for the first child. However, solids really shouldn't be started until 6 months of age. For the first 6 months the only thing a child needs is breastmilk/formula.

Answer 6

I didnt rush my baby and I dont know why anyone would. I let her tell me when she was ready. She started to stare at out food at around 4 1/2 months and making mouth movements like she wanted to chew. We started her slow with cereals and once again waited. At around 5 1/2-6 months she was on jars of food. My mother and other relatives wanted her eating regular food at 6 months but I had to struggle with them daily and tell them she is not ready. I didnt give her anything sweet until her first birthday which was her cake.. I didnt start whole milk until about 13 months and she was about 10 months when she started eating regular food. I am glad we were patient because if you try to soon it can affect a babies digestive system and constipate them as well

Answer 7

Some children are interested in food earlier than others.

My son was staring me down while I ate at three months...

I waited until my pediatritian suggested we start feeding him solids, as he's big big boy and WAS eager to eat. Which was about 4.5 months and even then...he only gets strained veggies..and very little at that.

Answer 8

I agree, I didn't feed my daughter solids until she took an interest... when she was around 10 months old she started to reach for them and take bites of my food. I got a lot of slack because of it, a lot of people wanted to give her pizza and fry bread when she was 6 months old with one tooth and I heard that I was being overprotective and all kinds of crap because of it. I don't care though, my daughter eats great now and she's healthy. Don't worry about what other parents are doing with their children, as long as you're doing what you know is best for your baby, that's all that matters.

Answer 9

My girls started being spoon fed cereal at 2 months old because there doctor said they were eating to much formula that it was to much liquid in their diet, so he told me to add cereal to their bottles but they were already drinking Enfamil AR which has added rice starch already for Acid Reflux so when I added the cereal to the bottle it was to thick for them. Then around three months after they'd went through rice cereal and on to baby oatmeal for a while I slowly started adding one veggie at a time and so on and I have to tell you they were both MUCH happier and much more content once they had actual baby food in their diet. Formula wasn't filling them up. All of the research and rules change constantly and from doctor to doctor. I completly believe that every child is different and no one knows a child like their parents. For me it had nothing to do with excitment, if my girls had been able to get full and be content with just formula then they would still be on just formula or if adding foods to their diet had caused them any problems or irritation, then they would be on just formula, but for my children this is what worked and made them happy and they are still in the perfect weight range and aren't gaining to fast or slow. They're just as smart and healthy as they could possibly the only difference is that they're happy and content as well.

Answer 10

I guess maybe people think that this makes thier baby "advanced" in some way. I just followed my doctor's advice and let my baby show me that he was ready. He is the perfect weight, so I guess the doctor was right! LOL