Do I or don't I?

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?

Having two DD's one with severe allergies, one with none, all I can say is DD2 with the allergies started solids at almost 6 months, but DD1 with none, started at 3months 3 weeks. So I personally dont think it makes a difference. I've also read, holding off solids can contribute to allergies too. Id' go with baby's lead xo

At your DD's age she is likely to want to participate in everything her family is doing in front of her - whether it's eating or driving a car!

Personally, I would wait, given you have issues with allergies already in the family. There is no harm in waiting, but you have raised a potential harm in early introduction. A baby's digestive tract has been determined to most likely be developmentally ready for solids between the ages of six-nine months. So it's about the internal development as well as their external signs of readiness. Your baby may not be prone to allergies, but is there really any point risking it? At this age, your bm will be all she needs to satisfy her and other food is merely experimental.

Feel free to join us in the BLS thread for other input!

i would totally follow this lead as her letting you know she's ready! sometimes going by the book is not the way to do it!

Hun, I think this is a decision that you need to make for yourself. Babies don't "need" food before 6 months. Some are ready for food before then, others aren't and it can be very difficult to know. There is no harm in waiting as solids aren't needed yet, but it is up to you whether you want to wait or not.

And I just wanted to tell you that I don't think you are at all silly for agonising over this - making decisions that affect our children is really tough :hug:

ide go with her lead. I mean she only 14 days off 6 months...