How old is baby?

[Jocie]

This has been driving me crazy for the last several weeks.

My son was born Sept. 22, 2009...

So, he is 5 months, 1 week and 1 day...(and I should wait 3 more weeks to feed him solids??)

Or he is 24 weeks (divided by 4, he is 6 months and its ok to feed him??)

I have a book entitled "Your Baby's First Year, week by week" and it confirms that he is 24 weeks/6 months and I can start feeding him solids since he meets all the requirements.

Which method do all of you go by? Months (by the date) or weeks?

[newmomroxi]

My son was born on the Sept 24th so he's only a few days younger than your DS. I realized this conundrum back in December and just decided to go with the months b/c that seems to be the general standard. It's what my pedi goes by and I think it would be confusing for other ppl if I were to say that my son is 6 mths but was born late September.

In terms of developmentally though, if you think your DS fits 6mth markers then you can personally go with that. I don't think the numerical age is as important as whether or not your DS is actually developmentally ready.

[Abraisme]

You should feed your son when he shows the signs that he is ready. It really doesn't have much to do with age imo. He needs to be able to sit up, chew, swallow, show a strong interest in eating and be able to self feed. Both of my children started eating around 5mo because they were so interested and could do, while some babies aren't really interested until as last as 12mo. Let your baby lead the way.

[blumooned]

I agree with PP. Go by what your LO is showing you as readiness signals. DS was 5.5 mos when he started solids, but showed lots of interest, sat up (supported) well, & met the other markers.

I also have that book, & to be honest, get very confused by the way they count age. I go by the months - because each month really has a little more than 4 weeks. (Well, except February.)

[2boyzmama]

There are more than 4 weeks in a month (except February). So if I say my baby is 5 months old, that means that his birthdate has passed 5 times (in our case...he was born Oct 3, so tomorrow on Mar 3 he will be 5 months old).

The guidelines for introducing solids assume a calendar month, I believe, so 6 months means 6 calendar months, not 24 weeks.

*However*, there is variance in either direction, some 5 month olds are ready, some 7 month olds aren't. Follow baby

[maptome]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

There are more than 4 weeks in a month (except February). So if I say my baby is 5 months old, that means that his birthdate has passed 5 times (in our case...he was born Oct 3, so tomorrow on Mar 3 he will be 5 months old).

The guidelines for introducing solids assume a calendar month, I believe, so 6 months means 6 calendar months, not 24 weeks.

*However*, there is variance in either direction, some 5 month olds are ready, some 7 month olds aren't. Follow baby

Agreed. 4 weeks = 28 days. 1 month = 28, 30, or 31 days. My 7 month old still can't do solids.

[Icehockey18]

Originally Posted by Abraisme

You should feed your son when he shows the signs that he is ready. It really doesn't have much to do with age imo. He needs to be able to sit up, chew, swallow, show a strong interest in eating and be able to self feed. Both of my children started eating around 5mo because they were so interested and could do, while some babies aren't really interested until as last as 12mo. Let your baby lead the way.

Agreed. My 9 mo (well 9 mo in 2 days) is still not interested in foods. BAby lead feeding is the way to go!