This is common information being given out thanks to aggressive marketing by baby food manufacturers to MCHNs. However, as Michelle says, the current guidelines, based on many, many studies around the world, is to exclusively bf for 6 months and then continue to provide bm while introducing complementary foods - ie solids.
Two new things have been shown by the lastest studies:
1. Introducing solids while the baby is still bfing provides strong protection against allergies by helping to support the immune system at this time of stress.
2. Delaying "high allergy" foods such as egg, dairy, nut products (whole nuts are still a choking risk) might contribute to allergies, so therefore these foods shouldn't be delayed much beyond 6 months.
There is still a lot of evidence to support the fact that introducing solids before 6 months can cause a number of problems including, but not limited to, allergies.
In the end it's up to you and no amount of the right research is going to persuade or dissuade you.
I believe that it is not necessary for a child to be on solids before six months... My child did not begin to consume them to be of any benefit until almost 9 months of age. So regardless of any research I am not about to start my children on solids at 4 months. I will do it when I believe they are ready and when I am ready. They don't need the food. "Food is FUN until I am one" sentiment ...
This is not to say that someone else' child won't react to solids differntly, or that when they choose to start solids should change - just that the research i choose to peruse and believe backs up my choice. And if the research helps you sleep at night when you introduce solids at 5months instead of six in the hanging hope your baby will begin to sleep at night - that's your choice
Many thanks for your replies guys - it is much appreciated.
Just feel the need to clarify a couple of things:
Firstly the question has arrisen because, as with you all, I want to do the very best I can for my daughter - and I feel it is always wise to look closely at the evidence and to make sure I have the very latest evidence at hand when making my decisions. I am still undecided as to when to introduce solids and will continue to explore and read before making my decision. Most importantly if i decided to introduce solids at 5 months it would NOT be because I want more sleep and DD to sleep through the night. I would gladly continue to get up at night for the next hundred years :-) if that was what she needed and was the best thing for her. The high incidence of allergies in children at the moment is more of a concern to me.
I had a look at the WHO site and while their recommendations are of course based on best possible evidence - but this is best possible evidence at time that guidelines where written and from what I can see (and if I am wrong someone please let me know) they were written in 2003. The article I referred to earlier looks at the evidence since this time. From what I can gather so far (granted I need to do more research) is that the studies to date have many limitations and certainly do not provide clear answers on this issue.
MantaRay - re the introducing eggs, nuts etc no later than 6 months - do you know where I can read more about this and how it should be done?
WHO have been *changing their guidelines* for the past 2 years after the baby food company sponsored *education sessions* for GP's and MCHN. I will be interested to see this when it occurs.
ASCIA suggests there is no need to delay any foods but the introduction of foods / solids is *when the child is ready*. If you follow the BLS path as opposed to the puree path, this is closer to 6 months due to the development of motor skills. It also makes it easier than the preparation of purees
In the end, you make choices on your own level of comfort and knowledge when it comes to introducing solids. Some choose puree, some choose BLS. Some introduce before 6 months, others after. Whatever works for your family and child.
BM, I think you are doing a fantastic job hun. I love that you are researching and trying to make the best decision for your little one. Good on you, and whatever decision you make, I know that it will be very well considered.
I do urge you to be careful about verifying the source of your information though. Some sites have more accurate information than others.
And to clarify the WHO recommendations. Yes, these were made a few years ago, but they are constantly being reviewed, and all the latest studies have been included in the reviews (including several which have not been publised by the formula companies and therefore not able to be found in the media - they are in medical journals however). As recently as last year, a WHO scientist involved in the reviews spoke at conferences in Australia and she was very clear. The WHO has no intentions of changing their guidelines. On the basis of all the information around (not just relating to allergies, but other considerations as well), there is just no evidence that starting earlier is beneficial, and there is plenty of evidence that it can be harmful.
I might add that a leading US allergist spoke at the same conferences. I was lucky enough to meet him and hear his presentation. He explained that there is no "quick fix" to solving the increase in allergies. If it was as simple as putting a time on starting solids, then it would be easy, but there are so many factors. His experience and research has shown that there are many factors. However, he said that the biggest factor in increasing the risk of allergies for an individual baby is giving formula or solids before they are ready for the proteins - so waiting until 6 months is the safest option. Other factors include avoiding antibiotics during pg (not always possible), having a vb (not always possible), and not having a cat at home.
If you are really keen to get the latest reliable research, you can pay for information from the LRC (Lactation Resource Centre) run by the ABA. They are the leading source of medical information relating to infant feeding and well being in Australia. There is a link to the LRC from the ABA website.
On the contrary I'm considering (not yet deciding) introducing solids because I want to be able to sleep. I'm so tired I've been sick and cannot function very well lately.
With my first baby I didn't start introducing solids until she was 6 months old, and it was fine then because I had abundant milk. It seems now my milk supply has been compromised by lacking of rest during the day for looking after my 4 year-old, though she goes to preschool 3 times a week I still feel very tired.
In the past 3 weeks my now 4.5 months old baby has not been sleeping well. Up to when he was 3 months old he was sleeping beautifully, 4-5 hours which gave me enough time to sleep well.
When I spoke to an early childhood nurse during this sleepless period around 2 weeks a go the subject was brought up, that now it is thought that it is save to introduce solids between 4-6 months.
So, reading my baby correctly and also I now that I have lower milk supply compare when I had my first baby, my choice is to top it up with formula or starting to introduce solids.... I'm reluctant to give formula because it will only compromise more the bm supply.
Again, I'm still undecided. I'm going to consult the nurse again tomorrow and perhaps I'll see a paed if I still can't decide what I'm going to do.
I think at the end of the day, as some of you already said it, it is what works best for you and your baby... Isn't it? As long as we're not doing any harm to them...
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks