I would say go with whatever feels right. I think Bug started eating solids about five months. While I was at a sleep school, I saw the feeding guide which said from four months, but everyone ('experts') at that point were telling me from six months. Apparently the guidelines had changed (and babies too) that they weren't ready to eat solids until six. Whatever. I gave Steph tastes of everything, and she would be excited to see us eating or to see the spoon too, so we just started giving her solids. She actually settled down 100% after started giving her lots of solids (would scream ALL day long, but wasn't hungry).
There's an article in TheAge today that suggests that Dr's will be asking the NHMRC to change the guidelines for introducing solids to reduce allergies - but it's not clear what the new guidelines will be, other than earlier introduction of some foods and not waiting to introduce potential allergens.
It's very annoying when you have a just-starting-solids baby and the rules get all broken
Food allergies isn't about mum knowing her baby - how is she supposed to know whether her child will have allergies prior to introducing solids? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not psychic! There is current advice (not possible future advice) that says there is a significant benefit to waiting until your child is 6 months. If you decide to feed your baby earlier than that, that's great but I would be wary of advising people that it's something they should be doing. Babies are not all the same, allergies are a very real and difficult issue to deal with, and pretending that there aren't any potential health issues related to started early, IMO, is irresponsible.
Any mother who has a child with food allergies would be advising you to wait. And as a mum who has an asthmatic child I too keep saying the same thing. In fact if your family has a history of eczema, migraine, asthma or hayfever, your child's risk of developing food allgeries increase. You should know these things and be armed with that information before making your decision. So it's a lot more than just 'knowing your baby'.
Last edited by sushee; September 26th, 2008 at 03:15 PM.
nah i dont think it is too early. i just started my DD this week and she is loving it and there is no sign of any prob. bit harder poo's but thats all.
Just wanted to point out too that while many children won't have any problems, there are also many children who do. Lucky if you're the mother who has a child with no probelms. Hopefully you aren't the one whose child does develop allergies.
And yes, sometimes you don't find out about their allergies until they are much older, because reactions to allergans can be a cumulative thing. There are loads of threads about it here on BB, if anyone cares to read them.
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