All pediatricians are saying to start introducing solids at 4 months, does...

[LoveKats]

...everyone do this though? And if not, is he baby doc cool with you not taking their guidance?

Mine is breastfed and I strongly feel that as long as my baby is thriving on it, he is better off. thanks!

 

[Coma Gray]

All pediatricians? Not so!

It is recommended by:

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

that it's best to wait at least 6 months before starting solids because it gives the baby's digestive system time to mature, gives them a greater protection from illness, decreases the risk of food allergies, helps to protect them from iron-deficiency anemia, helps maintain your milk supply, protects from future obesity, and it makes starting solids easier because their tongue trust reflex should be gone.

Most pediatricians are not well versed in infant nutrition. It's none of their business if you don't take their advice and follow what you feel comfortable with as long as you are not putting baby in any danger.

Breastfed babies can thrive perfectly with delayed solids!!

 

[Nora]

My baby's doctor said there was no point in starting solids at 4 months and that is better to wait until 6 months. Your baby's doctor is out of touch with the current recommendations and guidelines. The current recommendation is exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then introducing solids after 6 months with breastfeeding for at least one year, better if done for two years.

 

[brimstone black-beetle]

Don't take advice from Gerber. Jeesh, they have profit motive: The earlier you start solids, the better for Gerber.

Your child is easily fine until 6 months, and probably better off if you wait. I think starting too unnecessarily early can cause allergies, and it's really just unnecessary. A baby *needs* the nutrients in breastmilk until at least 6 months, and they really have no need for solids.

My youngest didn't eat solids until 9 months due to allergies (she was breastfed and I was on a severely restricted diet -- this was monitored by pediatrician and specialists and she stayed in the 90th percentile height/50th weight, which is roughly where she's been since 1 month age). Point being: there's really no rush to start solids, and I'd be wary of the advice of a pediatrician who states otherwise. His advice is counterintuitive.

 

[greatdialup]

Where do you live.

Here in the USA the aap (American Acadamey of Pediatrics) says 6 mos. But they are in debate about it. But there is nothing other than no earlier than 4 mos that all docs say.
Some say absolutely not before 6 mos, mine gave permission at 4 mos.

Where did you get your info?

 

[Jen]

OK. Not ALL pediatricians are saying that. Ours always says 6 months...and guess what people...both my kids were breastfed ONLY and did not eat cereal or solids until after 6 months. My son didn't eat any solids until 8 months and was EBF. (He has a severe food allergy syndrome, but is outgrowing it) My daughter was born at 10 lbs and she did fine. I would not introduce foods/cereals to your baby until you are ready or unless the dr strongly advises you to add them. At 12 months my son lost 1 oz and our dr advised us to add formula as a supplement since he couldn't have regular milk. Now at 3.5 my son is healthy and doing well, never had issues with food or textures. He is also a healthy weight. People think because their baby is 2 months old and won't sleep that it's because the kid needs cereal. I see a lot of overweight babies because of this. Your baby will let you know if they need more food. If you are breastfeeding you can just add in a feeding. If your baby isn't gaining or is losing weight then that is also a time to start supplementing, adding cereal or starting solids. I would NOT do it before 6 months. Even my daugher, who was probably overdue, was clearly not ready at 4 months.

 

[musiclover1]

i would start on 5 months

 

[martini_mermaid]

Maybe it is different in whatever country you are in but here in Australia I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child in this country and have been advised always to not introduce solids til 6 months old! I also breastfed all my kids and didn't introduce solids til 6mths and all are healthy and fine so it is up to you but I was always told that introducing solids at too young an age was bad for your baby. You can find more information about it on this site http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/when_to_introduce_solids.html or just use google as there is tonnes of information on the subject at the end of the day it is up to you to do what you think is best.

 

[GorJess8310]

I read you should start feeding them solids at 6 months. In fact, the book I was reading was all about breastfeeding.

 

[~Aiden's~Mama~06/23/2010~]

most say 6 months. but 4-6 months is when most people start. my son was showing food interest at 4 months and was ready to eat solids so his pediatrician said it was fine. some babies aint even ready at 6 months

 

[YVONNE]

I wouldn't say all of them are but mine did. She said she normally suggests waiting until 6 months of age but my daughter was small so she encouraged me to try. I started the next day with a 1/2 container of baby food a day and she quickly started eating a whole container 3 times a day. And then two at every meal, etc. She can eat and eat all she wants but is still thin. It's just her metabolism, like mine.

I think babies should be breastfed for as long as the mother chooses to. If that's 2 years, great. If its a week and the mother isn't able to continue, that's ok too. As long as the baby is healthy and fed that's all that matters.

 

[Jags]

In Canada they recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months so I guess it really depends on where you live. I do not plan on giving my child anything else after it's born then breast milk for this period.

I agree your baby is better off too! Human milk for human babies seems like the best nutrition to me!