My daughter is five-and-a-half months, and we were quite determined to wait at least six until beginning BLS. She has been at the table with us for a while now (in lap), and this past week her interest in food has reached fever-pitch; yanking our dinner plates towards her, putting them in her mouth, banging them, trying to gum the table (!)...She watches us eat very intently, mimicking our mouth movements, and then last night she actually began drooling and cried with frustration as we were eating. Despite all I have read about waiting, we are starting to feel cruel about delaying any longer, as she obviously really wants to try to eat. I've been reading all about the open gut over at Kelly Mom; do you think starting solids now will put her at risk for food allergies, etc? She's very strong, but still needs our help to sit.

I know it seems silly to agonise like this, but we just want to do what is right for our baby. Any thoughts?