Every family is different and every baby within that family is different too. Often, you will hear conflicting information on when it is appropriate to start solid foods for your child. I know some parents who are putting a little rice cereal in the bottle from a very young age to help with reflux issues. Some parents start their kids on solids at around 4-6 months old. And, others rely on a baby led solids approach where they skip over baby food altogether and let their child lead the way as to when they are ready for solid foods.
When my daughter and firstborn was 5 months old, we started with rice cereal. We figured we were waiting long enough, because we knew many parents that started earlier. Everything was fine, and she loved eating from the beginning. My second child was a different story. He had multiple food sensitivities. We tried rice cereal at around 5 months also (because we didn’t know what was coming), which led to major problems with his gut and intolerance issues. Those eventually led to our little guy having texture issues with food, and refusing solids completely due to a sad, sick belly. It was heartbreaking.
This time around, I have not been worried about solid foods all that much. As I’ve learned from having 3 kids, (and two of those with food allergy issues) breastmilk or formula contains all the nutrition that a baby needs during the first year of life. So, why do we push solids so much? I guess there is no easy answer. Pediatricians usually recommend starting solids at around 6 months. Some will say earlier. I also think it has a lot to do with wanting our babies to sleep through the night. However, if you think solids will be the miracle cure for helping your baby sleep through the night, then think again! My second child didn’t sleep through the night until he was 18 months old. And, he was getting solids too.
Trust your gut when figuring out what is best for your baby. Don’t make decisions based on the fact that you are sleep deprived.
Check back in for Part II of this article to see how starting solids is going with my six month old!
*photo courtesy of morguefile.com