thread: Study re: introducing solids at 4 months

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Melbourne
    1,539

    Study re: introducing solids at 4 months

    I recently heard that there was a study in the UK that found that babies need solids starting at 4 months to get their nutritional requirements. I was always under the impression that 6 months was the recommended start time for solids. I'm pretty busy with our new baby so I don't have the time to spend looking into this like I'd normally do so I'm hoping a bellybelly-er knows something about this. Thanks.

  2. #2

    Oct 2008
    2,880

    The World Health Organisation still recommends 6 months, despite what any study in the UK says. I was sent a link to a "study" by my friend and the study in question is a bit dodgy as the Drs who took part in it were paid big cash by the formula and baby food companies - and yeah, they were recommending starting solids earlier than the WHO guidelines of 6 months.

    I'll go and find the link and PM it to you and anyone else who wants to read it. (I've found 2 links so I'll PM you them).

    At the end of the day, start solids when your baby is ready. 6 months is the guide but not all babies are ready then. We are doing baby led solids and my DD is almost 10 months and still isn't eating much at all, boobie is where it's at for her. It's really hard sometimes as I *think* she should be getting more but she seems to know what is good for her.
    Last edited by MummaSue; January 24th, 2011 at 01:33 PM.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    2,251

    MummaSue: can you pls PM me the links
    I need To be able to give my mil good clear reasons why bub won't be getting solids until she is 6 months.

  4. #4
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    As far as I'm aware, breastmilk provides everything a baby needs till (at least) 6 months, and remains an important part of a baby's diet till at least 12 months.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    May 2007
    Warrnambool Vic
    1,476

    The recommendations from the World Health Organisation (who review their recommendations every 2 years) remains that breastmilk provides all the nutrients a baby needs for the first 6 mnths and that solids should be introduced at around 6mnths of age.
    Two very good articles I have head on this lately are
    http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk...nd-todays.html

    and
    http://comms.unicef.org.uk/t/339972/5039655/2647186/0/

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    In Paradise
    2,022

    I started at five, every baby is different....

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    4,895

    I started at five, every baby is different....
    I was about to say the same - definately up to the child, some may take shorter or longer than the 'recommended' 6 months :-)

  8. #8
    2012 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
    Add AngelPants on Facebook

    Feb 2010
    Under the rock
    1,320

    my MIL went to a seminar late last year that (among other things) talked about recent studies that suggest introducing high allergy foods like dairy egg and nuts in tiny amounts between 2 and 4 months to improve their bodies tolerance or something. as she said they can make the studies say almost anything they like depending on whose funding the study etc etc and to go by the WHO guidlines cos they look objectivly at all the recent studies and decide how accurate they are....etc etc...

    mr c was thinking he should be having wat we were having by 3months old, i think we ended up starting properly at 5months....

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Thanks for posting those links Barb they are a very useful reference.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    Melbourne
    2,890

    We started at 41/2 - 5 mths and only about 5 baby spoons for one meal.

    So far we have only had
    Sweet potato
    Pumpkin
    Apple
    Banana
    Rice cereal
    Avocado


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