New guidelines on introducing solids earlier than 6 months.

[Kazmar]

Would it depend on if the child is breastfed or not? Annabelle 1st tried solids at 6months but wasn't 'eating' them really till about 9-10months.

[MamaPan]

My paed mentioned to try solids anytime b/n 4 and 6 months... whenever DS and I was ready.... he didnt seem to think delaying would increase or decrease allergies significantly...
My MACH nurse mentioned that they are 'less sure' of the 6 month rule now than when I had DS1 (who is only 2).
For me, I will watch for signs that he is ready and try something small then... I would prefer to start at 6 months for a few reasons - selfish ones - it is less work not to and we are going oseas around then so i would prefer BM only at that point... but if he is ready earlier i will do it earlier!
It is a bit confusing - I;d like to see the research too - I dont think it is just a seminar as it is widespread... if anyone finds the researcgh pls post it...
Also now that I have done it all with DS1 i realiose he wont really be 'eating' for a while so it probably doesnt matter exactly when we start - i wouldnt expects real eating for some time anyway!

[Astrid]

It is a bit confusing - I;d like to see the research too - I dont think it is just a seminar as it is widespread... if anyone finds the researcgh pls post it...

My gut feeling is that a lot of MCHN's where never happy with the 6 month recommendation and as such will quickly jump to anything that does not support it. Also a lot of it is the "mummy grapevine", all it takes is one mum in one mothers group for the word to spread like wildfire. All it takes is one seed of doubt.

[MantaRay]

The other thing the study showed was that it's best not delay the high-risk foods for so long. So the recommendation is definitely still to wait until 6 months, but that a variety of foods should be introduced at that time - including nuts, eggs etc (unless there is a known allergy or a very high family risk). For some reason many are interpreting this as it's best to start solids before 6 months, but this is not the case.

[misty]

I think it honestly depends on the baby. some babies are are ready to start solids at four months, whilst others may still be refusing them at 7 months

[*TripleJ*]

well DS is 4 months and theres no way hes ready for solids i think he might not for a long time yet so its definately true that all babies are different

[wysiwyg]

Thanks for the info confirming what I thought there is no new information saying earlier than 6 months is beneficial - our MCHN said "it used to be 4 months now it is 6 months and there is some idea about allergies being linked to the delay in solids so why not compromise and go for five months" so not very scientific at all. I am in no rush to start anyway, just like to be informed.

[MantaRay]

The link she is talking about is about delaying the high-risk foods for so long beyond 6 months - not due to solids being started at 6 months. However, the way this has been marketed to many MCHNs by commercial companies is very misleading.

Recent studies have also shown that there is no "one" thing that is a magic cure for preventing allergies. It is quite complicated and there are a number of factors which contribute. If it was as simple as "change this one guideline and the allergy rate would instantly fall" it would be great - but it's just not that simple.

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

No, as the otherhave said, there have been no changes to the guidelines and there is not likely to be any. The important thing from the research seems to be that solids should be started while the baby is still being breastfeed. This seems to play an important part in mediating allergy

[MamaPan]

Oh that's interesting Barb... thanks for that....
I will def still be BF when I intro solids so that is great info for me..