Starting Solids

 I've wanted to write about introducing solid food to babies for quite some time.  It is exciting for parents to offer a first taste of solid food to their babies.  The adorable expressions that undoubtedly ensue are priceless.  What this?  Carrots!  Oh my!  Still, I don't advocate rushing into solids.  I knew that my babies were getting all of the nutrition that they needed from breast milk.  Of course there are instances in which a particular mother may be advised to begin solids early due to a baby's low vitamin or nutrient levels and, as I am not a medical professional, I'm not arguing with that.

Here, I am speaking to the practice of shoveling rice cereal or sweet potato into the mouth of baby who isn't yet sitting alone or picking up pieces of food with his fingers-- these are key signs that a baby is ready to eat solid food. There are old myths that babies will sleep better if given solid food and they've been debunked.  In fact, babies that wake at night are at lower risk for SIDS.  (Part of what makes sleep sharing safe is that babies spend less time in a state of deep sleep than babies who sleep alone-- but, I digress. . . .)  One reason a baby who has been given solids such as cereal at an early age (a few months, for instance) might seem to sleep longer is that the baby's body needs to work much harder to digest the food.  A baby's digestive system was designed for breast milk.

Have you recently asked yourself: "When should my baby start solids?"  Well, here you go!  Some *solid* advice, courtesy of La Leche League International (see link above):

Breastfed babies do not need to have complementary food introduced until about the middle of the first year. Before that time, you will notice some signs that your baby is changing developmentally, in preparation for beginning solids in a few months. You will notice that:

• he becomes more sociable, playing and holding "conversations" with you during a nursing session
• he has a growth spurt and nurses more frequently for a while
• he imitates the chewing motions you make whilst eating -- he is practicing!

You will know that he is really ready to start solids when:

• he is about six months old
• he can sit up without any support
• he continues to be hungry despite more frequent nursing which is unrelated to illness or teething
• he has lost the tongue-thrusting reflex and does not push solids out of his mouth
• he can pick up things with his finger and thumb (pincer grasp)

Babies who are ready for solids can usually feed themselves. Mothers often report that they knew their babies were ready when they picked up food from a plate, chewed it, swallowed it, and wanted more.
Listen to your baby! Babies with a tendency to allergies may refuse solids until later in their first year. As long as they are growing well and are happy and healthy, there is no need for concern.

Other resources I like:

Developmental Readiness


Waiting is worth it
 

6 Reasons to delay introducing solid food