I introduced solids to Charlie at 5 and a half months and now I know that Charlie is asthmatic (which often goes hand in hand with allergies) I think I should have waited. At the time, I was sure it was best for him, but in hindsight, he was curious but in no way ready to have solids, and didn't really eat with gusto until he was almost 7 months. It wouldn't have hurt him one bit to wait for few more weeks to start. I probably was in a bigger rush than he was, and was over-eager to meet what I perceived were his needs.

For most, including Charlie thank goodness, early introduction of solids cause no problems. But it is often the mothers whose child/ren have developed food allergies who are the most vocal about advising for the delay of solids. And that's because, as mothers, they don't want anyone to have to go through what they go through everyday. One hundred mums will say 'but I did it and it didn't hurt my child' or 'studies change all the time' but it's the mum with the child with food allergies that I want to listen to. If someone said to you that your child will have food allergies, and delaying solids would assist in limiting the severity, what mother wouldn't hold off? The problem is though, that most children will not show symptoms of allergies until after that time where mum has to make the decision as to whether or not to introduce solids. By then it's a little late already to change what been done, don't you think?

Charlie's was not diagnosed with asthma until he was 12 months old, with his first major attack happening when he was 8 months old, looong after he had started solids. If I'd had a crystal ball I would have held off on solids until he was 6 months at least. But barring a crystal ball, all I could hope for is to be more careful if I ever have another child.