solids at 5 months

[Dov'sMom]

My son will be 5 months old on Thursday. It will take a lot to convince me to push off solids much longer.

He has been sitting independently since just before 4 months. Not for huge lengths of time, and he hasn't gotten any better at it in the past two weeks because he's too busy trying to crawl, but he can definitely sit independently.

He has been able to grab small things off the table and get them to his mouth for a while already, not 100% sure how long. But I'm pretty sure this is the pincer grasp we talk about -- it's not a forefinger-thumb grasp, it's a four finger-palm grasp, but he can feed himself this way. In fact, it's a struggle every meal to prevent him from feeding himself.

I wasn't sure how to find out if he has a tongue-thrust reflex anymore without trying food, but today my friend's son fed him a few cheerios when she was watching them (she called to apologize) and apparently he was thrilled to get and eat them, so I'm guessing that's gone as well.

And lastly, he really seems to need something more solid. He will nurse until he just doesn't want to anymore but still act really hungry. Then I guess the liquid settles and he nurses again twenty minutes later.

Can anyone give me a good reason to wait any longer?

[Pookietooth]

The grasp you are describing is not pincer grasp, it's the raking grasp which comes before pincer grasp. Pincer grasp is when they can hold things between forefinger and thumb. Have you read Kellymom and La Leche League's positions?
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/so...s.html#reasons
http://www.lllofnorthaz.org/article/...ng-solid-foods

[Knitting Mama]

I would not start solids until my baby was definitively sitting independently, and had the true pincer grasp. At that point I would try something like avocado slices or sweet potato "fries," something that my baby could self-feed if she was interested. Just going on interest in other people eating isn't enough for me, as my daughter has been that way since 2 months old. That is just my personal outlook, however.

[mamazee]

I had to struggle to keep my younger child from eating until 6 months, but I did because it's better for their gut to not have anything but bm until then. I gave her a spoon to play with, and that kept her happy for a while. Also, I agree that what you're describing isn't a pincer grasp. You'll know it when you see it.

The frequent nursings sound like a growth spurt.

[SubliminalDarkness]

There is no surefire outer way to tell if your child's gut is appropriately developed. That's why you should wait until at least six months.

I also agree with everything else previously posted. The 'rule' is at least six months AND all those milestones.

[busymama77]

Not always and everyone is different. I know some mothers that were told by their ped that their baby could start at 4 months and so they did and their LO's have been doing great at it!
It's not only when they are sitting independently, but when they can sit supported, with good head control, at least doubled their birth weight AND are at least 4 months old. If they are reaching for food or seem very interested in what you're eating is also a sign as well. Every site says something different and every ped says something different, too. You just have to read your baby's signs and go from there.
My DS is 5 months and we just started last week. We started close to the same age for my ODS as well. Both of my boys showed signed of readiness at this age and therefore, we gave it a try. All has been going well!

We're taking it slow and not rushing it or anything. We're continuing to watch his cues and see what he does and how he reacts.
We also have zero allergies in our family, so I think part of that has a lot of mothers holding back from starting too soon as well.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness

There is no surefire outer way to tell if your child's gut is appropriately developed. That's why you should wait until at least six months.

I also agree with everything else previously posted. The 'rule' is at least six months AND all those milestones.

The latest evidence says the risk of illness is decreased by waiting until at least 6 months. That's why all the guidelines now say exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months, when about 10 years ago they said until 4 months.

[ErinYay]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

The latest evidence says the risk of illness is decreased by waiting until at least 6 months. That's why all the guidelines now say exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months, when about 10 years ago they said until 4 months.

Actually, the newer research says that starting solids between 4-6 months may prevent allergies and eczema, and doesn't increase risk of later allergies at all.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by ErinYay

Actually, the newer research says that starting solids between 4-6 months may prevent allergies and eczema, and doesn't increase risk of later allergies at all.

There is a lot going on in this paper (food vs. formula, cow formula, breast milk) that it isn't very clear.

One way breast fed babies are exposed to potential allergens *is* through breast milk. So I eat peanuts, and this exposes my baby to peanuts in a small way.

This is not the case for a a formula fed infant (whether cow or hydrolyzed formulas--which it seems they are comparing, I don't see any comparison between breast milk and either formula), who will be exposed to basically the same ingredients over and over.

So yes a formula fed infant might benefit from this, but it doesn't really address the allergen introducing function in breastmilk.

I find it difficult to introduce solids before 6 months. The reflex to push the food out of the mouth is compelling to me to not introduce food before baby is ready (which has always been after 6 months with my children, somewhere between 6 and 8 months).

[mum5]

My babe is 5 months today, and I am really thinking of trying him on avocado pretty soon. I waited until 6 months w/ other 2 babies, but w/ him, I am feeling differently.
One major reason is that he is waking more and more in the night, every couple of hours. I know that most say that introducing solids will not help this, but this combined w/him being hard to settle for naps during the day, I am thinking this way.
I have to try something. I am exhausted, and my other kids are majorly neglected. I am totally fed up with trying to put a tired baby for a nap for hours at a time, my nipples will fall off soon, and my children will hate me.
Sorry for the vent, and to hijack the thread.

[Tattooed Hand]

There is also the other sign of readiness, which to me is a sign the digestion is ready, which is the presence of at least one tooth.

I wouldn't do it. Babies that age are interested in everything and putting everything in their mouths. When you do chose to start, I would also start with simpler foods, like a lightly steamed veggie, not something processed like cheerios...

It's your call, but there is increasing evidence of the benefits of waiting. Nursing alot all of a sudden does sound like a growth spurt. DD is going through one right now and I tried to give her solids and she was disgusted! So one does not necessarily mean she wants the other.

[Norasmomma]

I always am in the minority here on MDC, I tried to wait with my DD, but as TatooedHand stated the presence of teeth is also an indicator. I was going to do it all "right" with my DD no solids until 6 months, but she had other plans, first she had 2 teeth by 4 months, she also FREAKED when we ate. I tried giving her a spoon, redeirecting her attention, YK the only thing that stopped her freaking out every.single.meal. FOOD.

I am all for trying to do everything you can to help your babies develop the best that they can, I have to say both my kids were well good and ready to eat food at 5 months....my son cried literally every meal, same things done as with DD, gave him a spoon, a cup to play with-not one thing helped but food. I guess I just am more of a follow my baby's cues than a follow what the book says, or the AAP, WHO or whatever higher authority there is. I'm there with my kids and see what they want, neither one has any digestive issues and both are healthy and eat a wide variety of foods. Both my kids had teeth before 6 months and were more than eager to eat, and no they wouldn't chew on a cell phone or other thing, it was clearly a food thing.

I guess my long-winded point is-go with your gut

[zenproof]

delete

[blessedwithboys]

if you are going to start now, for sure dont damage the gut with any type of grain-based cereal. grain is way too harsh for a baby just starting out, you'll mess up the gut flora balance.

have you ever thought of making breast milk ice cubes and putting them in the little mesh bag feeder thingie? that way your LO can sit at the table and join in the social aspects of the family meal, but not have any chance of compromising the gut.

[elmh23]

My youngest is 5 months (he'll be 6 months on the 21st) and we're slowly starting solids. One of the few things I've found to help with his teething pain is a cold slice of apple (held by me.) It works when nothing else works (including cold teethers.)

That said, try and stay away from grains. They're really hard to digest at this age and have very little nutritionally.

[Abraisme]

Both of my kids started solids at 5mo (sucking on large chunks of veggies mostly). They had an extreme interest, could sit and could self feed by that age. I'm more into going with your child's lead than with science here. I seriously doubt that our ancestors waited until 6mo to start solids because a scientist told them so.. My personal feeling is that if a kid is interested and can do it, then they're ready.

ETA: Both of my kids also started getting teeth at 4mo old.

[JordanKX]

I'm with the PP's of... go with your instincts here. At 5 months we started veggies - avocado, sweet potato, squash. Each were introduced slowly and only a few pieces a day (not full 'meals'). Mainly because he was inconsolable during meals - he would get So mad that he wasn't participating, did NOT want to play with the spoon. He wanted food. And he never had any gut issues. So, it was a good decision for him. I talked to my Ped about it and he had no problem - again, with PP's to only stay away from grains. We skipped the whole cereal intro, rice or any other kind, and only did a bit of puree's after he'd been introduced a chunk he could chew on. In the end, with a Ped's advice as well, I just went with what DS was wanting.

[octobermom]

My DD is almost the exact same age (5 months this comming Sunday) and I totally get the feeling of wanting to start solids. However for reason many have already listed I know I'm going to wait till that 6 month and untill my LO can sit well on her own... I am though very much looking foward to the journey my first was apraxic with sensory delays and the journey to solids was very delayed and exhausting...

Deanna

[ann_of_loxley]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

I would not start solids until my baby was definitively sitting independently, and had the true pincer grasp. At that point I would try something like avocado slices or sweet potato "fries," something that my baby could self-feed if she was interested. Just going on interest in other people eating isn't enough for me, as my daughter has been that way since 2 months old. That is just my personal outlook, however.

Same here with us.

I guess its hard to look at it like this as we don't see food as harmful as say... a burning fireplace... But even if our children were interested and could crawl over to the burning fireplace - we would still keep them away right?

If DS shows interested in copying us - then he can have a safe bowl and spoon to play with.

[boobs4milk]

at 6 months, we started millie with bananas, a common first food. later that night she was in the e.r. in severe gastrointestinal agony. she had bloody stools for a few days after, too. this was proof positive that she still had open gut, even at the proverbial 6 months. i'm just sorry i had to torture her to find this out because she was showing all of the signs of readiness AND she was 'at least 6 months.'

there isn't any harm in waiting, but there could potentially be harm in starting. we gave her spoons and a water cup when we ate and sat her at the table with us to include her. we ended up waiting until she was 7 months before slowly starting solids up again. at almost 11 months, she eats everything and it doesn't seem to bother her, not even cabbage or broccoli! i'd definitely wait and read more about 'open gut' here. http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/so...s.html#reasons