Solids - ugggg

[LindseyB]

My son (first) is 6.5 months old and exclusively breastfed. I really, really, really want to wait until he has a tooth to introduce solids (we have massive food issues on both sides of the family and I am a Celiac). He's been fine up until this last week when he has become super honked off that he can't have what we are eating. I mean, he is protesting LOUDLY How can I appease him until he sprouts a tooth? I know I am probably being way over the top conservative about not giving him solids now, and he would probably be fine, but I just want him to be able to eat normal foods and not be a food freak like his mother and if that means delaying until he has a tooth, so be it. Help? Any ideas??

[AFWife]

Have you tried giving him a spoon or plastic cup to bang around? At that age my son wanted our cutlery and stuff...not so much the food. Or give him a large something to suck on? (Piece of meat, veggie...) We gave DS a large chunk of ham at Thanksgiving and just watched to make sure he didn't get any pieces off of it.

[belltree]

From what I've read in the last couple months is, that latest research suggests, that the later introduction of solids does not really help with allergy prevention. In some European countries, the official guidelines are already being changed accordingly.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by belltree

From what I've read in the last couple months is, that latest research suggests, that the later introduction of solids does not really help with allergy prevention. In some European countries, the official guidelines are already being changed accordingly.

IMO, allergies are more about genetics than timing introduction. If you're still worried about it you could feed your son the "safe" foods for a while. I started feeding both of my kids when the showed an interest. I think interest and ability to eat are more important than teeth.

[CrunchyKnitter]

What does having a tooth come in have to do with allergies/timing of solids???
Are you just using that as a guide because that means you will be waiting longer? I mean, some babies have teeth before 6 months, some not til 12....

I waited until 6 months to start (last month), but like others have said it's been shown that waiting TOO long might actually be worse for allergies or have no impact at all.

[Asiago]

Actually I may be the minority here, but I do think it makes sense to delay solids if food allergies are a concern. Hear me out
It is my understanding that the GI tract in babies is porous in order to allow breast milk antibodies to pass through. However, this can also mean that undigested, intact food particles could enter the blood stream and create an immune reponse as if they are foreign.
I believe that between 6-8 months the GI tract lining becomes less porous, and therefore less threat of an immune response to a benign substance which has gotten through to the bloodstream.

Maybe someone could clarify?

Not knowing when an individual's GI tract becomes less porous, I would tend to err on the later (even more than 8 mos.). That's just my own opinion though. I do understand that the sooner they start solids, they begin to learn oral motor skills.

One thought is to freeze breast milk and perhaps put the cubes in the mesh bag toys (such as used for fruit and other solids).

[FiveLittleMonkeys]

If I waited until my kids got teeth to give them solids, my kids would be waiting until they were anywhere from 13-15 months old - I have some seriously late teethers!!

I would ask for guidance from your GI or whoever follows you for your celiac, and go from there, but having teeth does not necessarily equal being ready for solids. Some babies are actually born with teeth and some have teeth by 3-4 months. And some, like mine, are well over a year!

So I would take teeth out of the equation, and seek guidance from someone who knows the particulars of your family history.

[BeagleMommy]

For the reasons Asiago outlined, I waited until my dd's first birthday to introduce solids and plan on the same with my son. Giving her spoons to play with worked well. She has no known food allergies, but neither do her father or I.

[Kmama2]

Originally Posted by Asiago

Actually I may be the minority here, but I do think it makes sense to delay solids if food allergies are a concern. Hear me out
It is my understanding that the GI tract in babies is porous in order to allow breast milk antibodies to pass through. However, this can also mean that undigested, intact food particles could enter the blood stream and create an immune reponse as if they are foreign.
I believe that between 6-8 months the GI tract lining becomes less porous, and therefore less threat of an immune response to a benign substance which has gotten through to the bloodstream.

Maybe someone could clarify?

Not knowing when an individual's GI tract becomes less porous, I would tend to err on the later (even more than 8 mos.). That's just my own opinion though. I do understand that the sooner they start solids, they begin to learn oral motor skills.

One thought is to freeze breast milk and perhaps put the cubes in the mesh bag toys (such as used for fruit and other solids).

I have a dd with a peanut allergy and asthma... and ds ( 5.5 months) has reflux and asthma and literally just the past few weeks stopped fussing every time he had to fart. Between the gas issues, family history of allergies, and the reflux I have no intention of feeding him anytime soon. Whether delaying solids helps with allergies or not I think 6 months is the EARLIEST any baby should have solids. Solids aren't even for nutrition until after 12 months so I wouldn't worry about it. If you don't want to introduce them yet don't. Your baby can be perfectly fine on breastmilk for 12 months at least. I started feeding my dd at 6 months and all it did is cause rashes, gas pains, increased spitting up, and constipation issues. I am waiting until 8/9 months at least. I was on a total elim diet until like last week. I am slowly introducing dairy back into my diet. Those baby guts can be so sensitive. Especially since there is family history I gut issues I would wait.
We just put ds's clip on highchair at the table. He gets toys to play with, a sippy of a TBSP of water in it, and if he is really crazy maybe a slice of pepper or ice or something in the mesh feeder to chew on. He has no teeth either.
I also believe in waiting till baby has a pincer grasp and can self feed.