What age for solids?

[tots hope]

There is so much back ground to this family that i don't want to go into really but i just wondered at what age should babies be fed solids?

A girl i know has a 9 month old baby boy (actually nearly 10 months) and he is still only having milk. I can't really comment as i haven't had to deal with this myself by i am thinking that he should definately be on some sort of solids by now?

He seems to be very behind in his development ie head is huge compaired to his body and he struggles to hold it up.

Anyone got any advice for me?

 

[Xena]

casually ask what he is havingfor dinner. If you get the response "he's not on solids yet", feign total surprise and say "oh sorry, I assumed he would be as they make baby foods for 4 months plus."

Then drop the subject. It might get them realising he needs food!

Edit - the recommended age is actually 6 months, but some people start at 4 months if they appear to have really starving babies. We started Lydia at 5 and a half months.

 

[Rosieroo]

Is he only on milk due to being intolerant to food? I know someone who had to keep their baby off of food through no choice of their own, apparently he was so intolerant to so many different things they had to wait til they saw consultants etc.
If he's fine then usually the advice is to wean at 6 months, as that is when a baby's digestive system is developed enough to handle solid food and to minimise the risk that they may develop allergies in later life (e.g. my grandad (in his fifties) was weaned early and is severely gluten intolerant). However some people wean a little earlier, but the general rule is definately not before 17 weeks as studies have shown that a baby's digestive system is not mature enough and it could cause problems in later life. I tried DS with solids a few times after he turned 17 weeks but apart from a couple of times when he took it, he just wasn't interested. It's only been in the past month that he's started to take food properly and now seems to really enjoy mealtimes, so I think it's down to the individual baby aswell as to when they're ready and willing to take it.
In the first year giving a baby food is meant to supplement their milk and also helps with their speech development because of the action involved with chewing. By not giving him solids yet then I'd be worried that he would be slower with speech and would have difficulties learning to chew.

I suppose though at the end of the day it's their choice and it's down to their health visitor to advise them of guidelines etc.

 

[aidanbump]

Oh god... unless there's a very good reason and the person has been advised not to give their baby food etc then they shouldn't really be doing that

Baby milk is actually extremely fattening...

Is the baby underweight or anything?

x

 

[Redshoes]

Just wanted to say that I think Xena's idea is great, obviously there's reasons why LO's are put onto solids, whether it be 4 or 6 months, I think if you don't say anything you'll get yourself so upset about it, so good luck tots hope, I do hope it works out best for the LO whatever happens, very best wishes

 

[trixipaws]

my HV told me that theres a certain time (between 6-7 months i think) thats ideal 4 weaning and after that they lose the chew/swallow reflex and find it difficult