when to go on solid

Hi girls,

Just thought I should post this one here and see what you think. I borrowed a baby book from a friend. It is an old book but full of helpful tips. The section on when one should consider introducing solid states that we should consider introducing solid when a baby feeds the max of 200ml (bottle feeding) for their feeds as baby's tummy can only take 200ml max each feed (I assume they are referring to babies under 6 months). If baby feeds 5 times a day and each 200ml. This means they will be eating 1L per day which according to the book might not be enough for a baby who weighs more than 6kg (because baby needs 3 oz or 85ml for every pound of weight). If baby is still hungry from this then it is time to consider introducing solid, obviously as supplement to the milk. What are your thoughts on this? The book did indicate that babies under 4 months should not be given solid unless under medical advice. My baby is currently feeding 5 times a day with most of her feeds being close to 200ml. Only the early morning (6 am) and breakfast (at 10 am) she would only have between 100 - 160ml. I don't intend to introduce solid but there are times when I will prepare a bottle (200ml) and she would drink it all up and still sucking. I feel like giving her some more but am afraid that it passes what her stomach could handle.

From your ticker I can see your Bub is just over 3 months old... Id be waiting a bit longer till you start her on solids. Its reccommended these days(with current research) to wait untill 6 months. That said I started my DD on tiny amounts of solids just before 5 months. Maybe if she is finishing her bottle and still wanting more make her another small bottle and see how she goes?
HTH :)

My guess is that is either an older book, or written by someone who doesn't have training in nutrition. It is very confusing with all the conflicting information around. The main thing to remember is that food is not need for nutrition until around the 12 month mark. Before that it supplements the milk, but the milk is the main source of nutrition. It doesn't matter how much milk the baby is drinking, this is no indication that food is needed (because even when it is first introduced it is not "needed").

There is a lot of information to support the guidelines that solids not be introduced before 6 months. This is the point at which most babies will be ready to have food in their tummies. Some babies are ready earlier but it's really hard to know which ones are, and there is no harm in waiting even if they are ready earlier. If they start earlier and aren't ready though, it can increase their risk of allergies, irritable bowel and other tummy problems later in life.

I hope this clears things up for you.

much to early to start on solids. It will do more harm than good and have no nurtritional benifit to her at all.