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KM, I don't think anyone is judging or criticising parents (maybe big companies but not parents ;) ). The posters are simply providing information to help parents make their own decision.
Mrs Hendo, I agree with Marcellus. The fact that allergy rates are rising despite the recommendation being for solids to start at 6 months is used a lot as an argument for lowering the age. However, less than 10% of babies get to the 6 month mark without having solids so this is a very flawed argument. In fact, the most significant rise in the rate of allergies was when the recommendation was younger and this is one of the reasons it was raised to 6 months!
Marcellus has also raised an interesting point about formula. The causes of the increasing allergy rate are complicated - there isn't just one factor. If there was it would be easier to fix. The age that solids are introduced is one of many factors thought to be contributing - and in fact the number one factor which seems to be related is the introduction of formula before 4 months. Leading allergists world wide attribute formula before 4 months to increasing the risk of food allergies by 50%. If money wasn't an influencing factor you'd expect the health professionals to be being educated about that as a way of reducing allergies rather than the questionable option of starting solids earlier. Other factors which studies have shown to contribute to the allergy risk are family history, c-sections, antibiotics during pg and having a cat at home.
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It's the cats!
:rofl: I hadn't heard that one before. damn.
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I haven't yet read all the responses so I apologise if I'm repeating anyone. For us, the question on when to start to solids isn't just regarding allergies. Our Moo was no where near ready for solid food at 4 months old, he was barely interested at 6 months! He couldn't sit up til he was almost 7 months and I thought that was meant to be a big factor in starting solids? Regardless, he was just not interested in food at 4 months old.
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mantaray- oh no i wasnt saying anyone was lol i just meant in general, my bad! :p
