Question:
I have a five-and-a-half month old son who I feel is ready for solids. I started my first child on pureed food at about the same age but some of my friends are not starting until six months, I was wondering what your thoughts were on this?
Response:
There is no set age for introducing solids into your baby's diet. The key is to not start weaning too early or too late. I recommend babies start solids around five-and-a-half to six months of age.
Problem with weaning your baby too early:
It can overburden their underdeveloped digestive systems. Your baby doesn't start producing digestive enzymes (needed to digest starches and carbohydrates) properly until around six months. Babies also have low levels of fat-digesting enzymes and bile salts until around six months.
If you introduce solids too early there can be an increased likelihood of your baby developing allergies or food intolerances. Babies under six months old have what is called an 'open gut', which means they have gaps between the cells of their gut wall, which can allow whole proteins and disease-causing pathogens to pass directly into their bloodstream, potentially triggering an immune response, and resulting in an allergic reaction.
Problem with weaning your baby too late:
Can lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially iron and zinc. Babies are born with a store of iron, which lasts about six months. After that you need to include iron rich foods in their diet, important for babies brain growth and development.
Babies need to learn to chew and shallow food to encourage the development of muscles that are essential for speech.
Look out for signs that your baby is ready to start solids:
Keeping the above info in mind your baby will also let you know when they are ready to start trying solids. They will start showing interest in what the rest of the family is eating, reaching for food. Their appetite will increase, wanting extra feeds and waking more during the night. Your baby tongue protrusion reflex will also disappear and your baby should be able to sit up on their own.
For more information visit Lisa's website, Art of healing.
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