Hi Mummas
When did you start your bub on solids? My bub is 3 months old and breastfed. I'm getting conflicting advice from the midwife and Dr. Dr saying 4 months midwife 6 months. Also how did you know bub was "ready"
TIA :)
Starting solids
Starting solids
Posted in:
Baby & Toddler, Baby Feeding
6 Replies
Hi there, I am a dietitian. The current evidence is from 4 months, but when Bub displays interest in food, can hold her head/shoulders independently and is losing the "tongue thrust" reflex. Pretty much all foods are recommended, puréed at this stage, except for undercooked egg and honey now instead of limiting possibly hyper allergenic food. Head over to ascia website for recommendations :)
Theres two different schools of thought 4 and six. Youll know when bub stares at you eating, imitates eating and launches at your food.
I fed them when interested and believe you cant force feed a baby before they're ready to eat anyway. Its not about swallowing its just for fun. Textures flavours learning coordination eating together.
The world Heath organization (WHO) reccommendaton is 6mths.
I started my eldest at 5mths due to family pressure. My next 3 kids were 6mths, before I gave them anything. We did baby led weaning with the 3 youngest and gosh it's Sooo much easier than the purees at 4/5mths.
Totally recommend to ditch the purée and go with table food from 6months.
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/solids.html
The WHO recommends no earlier than 4 months, but says that 6 months is better.
Its also recommended that you wait until they lose their tongue trust reflex and can sit up on their own.
My husband and I started our son on solids between 5 and 6 months of age.
He no longer seemed full on just breastmilk alone, he lost that tongue reflex, could sit up unsupported, and would attempt to chew what we gave him.
We skipped the pureed and did baby led weaning. I highly recommend it.
My son was showing all the signs as such for wanting foods at 4 months. He was ten kilos by 5 months on breastfeeding alone!! Lol, he did not need any solids haha.. I waited it out. He started solids a week after he turned 6 months, i kept breastfeeding till 9 months and unfortunately had to stop due to my health deteriating.
I truly believe waiting to the 6 month mark is better, especially as your giving Bub the best anyway by breastfeeding :)
I went with my kids ... All of them started grabbing food off my plate at around 4.5 months ! I was baby led weaning all the way though and would place food in front of them to taste , play , mouth around this age and they gradually just start eating it them selves ! It's so much easier then making up purées etc .... Babies are pretty good at showing you that they are ready though ! Sit them with you when you are eating pay attention to whether they stare at your food and even open their mouths when u do ;) they also start reaching out for it ! If they haven't done these things by 6 months then maybe try putting stuff in their mouth to give them a taste for it and go from there . There really is no rush as they are getting all nutrition they NEED from their milk .
The other thing you might notice (especially with boys ) is when they go through a growth spurt you might find they want more Boobie and you feel like you don't have enough milk (trust me you do they are just building your supply !! ;) ) but maybe if you want to do purées in this time try introducing a bit to give ur poor boobies a break ;)
Take ur time though mumma! They grow so fast !!