Ready for solids?
Question:
Hi all! My son is 3 months old and over 15.5 lbs. There are no food allergies in our family except for my sister who is allergic to vaccinations incubated in egg whites (odd – she is not allergic to eggs). This weekend, I noticed Scott watching the fork from the plate to the mouth (he sits in his reclining highchair at meal times) and yesterday he was immitating his great grandfather chewing – every time Papa would put something in his mouth and chew, Scott would squeel and chomp, chomp, chomp. I was thinking about delaying the start of solids till he’s 6 months (he’s certinly not starving on bm-7lbs5oz at birth and almost 16lbs by our bathroom scale at 3 months), but I wonder if he might be ready for cereal at 4 months. He sees the doc (who is a big supporter of breast feeding) tomorrow, so maybe I’ll ask her if we should try the rice or barley cereal at 4 months. I’m really looking forward to feeding him solids, but it is purely selfish and will delay it if it would be best for him. Any thoughts? Cathie — Brian, Cathie and Scott MacIntosh Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/brian.macintosh/home.htm
Response:
My daughter was 17.10 at her four month visit and 21 lbs 8 ozs at her six month visit (all from breastfeeding) I was told that the best way to tell if a baby was ready for solids was to evaluate their sleeping habits (this from a pediatric nurse, breastfeeding supporter and mom of three). If they sleep thru the night (or a long stretch) then stop sleeping and seem really hungry (not just comfort nursing) that is when they are in need of solids. Karen started doing that at around 5.5 months(which coicided with Xmas, so I waited to be sure it wasn’t just all the excitement) We started solids at 6 months. I don’t see the harm in doing it earlier especially since you have no food allergies in your family. Just my two cents! Jill
Response:
Most peds wouldn’t suggest solids until at least 4 months of age, but interest in food is one of the signs that they are ready. Research shows that infants are individuals though and each child should be evaluated independently. Very young babies doe not have many of the digestive enzymes in their intestines to digest solids, although solids are not really harmful (except honey is). Then again they really haven’t found out enough about which solids are harmful to infants. What I read and what I agree with is to judge each baby on his or her own merits. Test criterion(from the book "What to Expect the First Year": Can hold head up good when propped in sitting position The tongue thrust reflex is gone (does the food come right back out at you?) Baby is interested in food Ability to excite back and forth motions with tongue, not just forward back. Baby can draw lower lip in so that food can be taken from a spoon I don’t really have any experience with the matter though since my baby (Bobby) is only 3 months old himself. This is just my opinion based on what I’ve read and heard from others. Jenn Pinder (mother of Bobby 11/13/98)
Response:
Delaying solids can reduce your child’s risks for eczema, anemia and allergies. They do better if they have only the good stuff. Breastfed babies plateau their weights at 6-8 months. The sooner they start solids, the earlier they plateau. When they start solids, they take in less breastmilk and fewer total calories. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding will give you lots more details. You can also discover more nutritious first foods there. Try to enjoy where they are today.
