Oh the guilt... to start solids or not?

[KymH]

I must admit, I have only skim-read some of the replies to your question, Lorirae, so my thoughts may be repeats of others.....

But when my DD was 4 ish months we were having a terrible time of it... now a little wiser, I believe this is common and just something to ride out....

Despite being fully and very happily BF, and despite my thoughts that i would wait till the magic 6 months, I started her on solids at 5months on the dot, thinking that i had seen signs from her that she was ready.....

In hindsite, she wasn't really ready and i don't think starting early made any difference to some of the other difficulties we were having. She didn't even really eat a reasonable amount until well after 6 months - she knew what was best even if i didn't!

It's late and I hope this makes some sense..... like most people will tell you - you are the expert on your child (well, second to them anyway!) and if you feel the time's right then you won't be doing any damage, but this was just my experience and if i had my time over (and hopefully if i am blessed with another in the future) i wouldn't start early.

[Liz]

Excellent article Barb! Describes my daughter exactly! LOL. Distracted little feeder through the day, and a piggy by night

I've been told to wait until DD is corrected 6 months (she was prem) so she'll be 7 1/2 months. She's showing a lot of interest in food at the moment, but she shows interest in everything else too.

I've actually read that introducing solids increases their appetite, so they could actually increase their breastfeeds once you start solids! Just try to ride it out, it's an age thing, not a food thing And I completely agree that solids is a pain in the bum - so much work! Why start all that early? hehe.

[mrsr]

I'm in the same boat as you LoriRae. Do I, or don't I?? He's just turned 4 months this week and it's confusing as my eldest who is now 7 was started on solids at 4 months as it was the recommended age back then. He has no allergies, isn't a fussy eater, has always had a great appetite etc.

Jack has formula at daycare which is 4 days a week, then Fridays and all weekend I try to BF him solely. Come Monday afternoon after work - I'm engorged!! He's started the night waking again, but I'm going to read that article that Barb posted the link about to see what it's all about before I make the decision. I even bought him a spoon/bowl combo and some Farex last night....just in case I decided to start this weekend.

[Lewis's Mummy]

Glad I found this thread! I've just read the article Barb linked and have to agree it is my DS down to a tea! Was sleeping through now doesn't, is almost 5 months and people are telling me to put him on solids. He's a big boy so even our GP had suggested it. Neither DH nor I have a history of allergies ourselves, but our siblings do, so we're a little cautious anyway. BUT I've also noticed the tongue thrust reflex is still well in place, so figure it's not time yet. Ultimately I've decided for us it's best to keep going without solids for 2 reasons besides the allergy/intolerance and WHO recommendation. 1 - I have plenty of milk and with a paranoia re mastitis I don't care too much that I'm feeding DS at night again and 2 - I can't be stuffed making the food for him anyway. I reckon the best thing about breastmilk is that I don't have to do anything except give him the boob! In the meantime I sometimes give him a plastic spoon, teething ring or wet face washer to play with/suck on/chomp on when we're eating... it keeps him occupied if nothing else.

[MantaRay]

Well done LM. You are so good at understanding your DS's cues. I am sure you will know when the time is right. And I agree with you on bfing being easier - I think that's the easiest time with them, before they are on food. I often wonder why people are in such a hurry to make their lives more difficult!

[Rahjah]

wow. I loved that article, thanks.

[Mads]

I also loved that article. It really describes my daughter. Distracted half feeds in the day. Both boobs and efficient feeds at night!

I am currently at the 'will I or won't I start feeding aswell'

What is interesting is hearing that there is new research about starting solids and allergies- there was someone on a day time chat show last week talking about it, and my sil took her 2 year old to the allergist last week, to follow up with his egg and peanut allergy. He told her that new research is to start bubs between 4 and 6 months- a slow introduction of foods if you like so that by 6 months they are 'starting feeding'. a study had apparently shown that waiting till after 6 months was not actually preventing allergies- allergy rates have increased. I googled this and read a lot of the information.

I personally feel my daughter is not displaying any signs of 'wanting' to eat. unlike your son!!

I have decided that at 5 months I will try for the spoon a day introduction- after breast, but will not force the issue. Apparently its all learning and they barely consume anything anyway!

Food for thought!