New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

DD has her 4 month well visit yesterday and my pediatrician gave me the OK to start solids.

She also said that a new study (2-3 years ago) showed that there was no benefit to the old rule of introducing cereal first and then individual foods for at least 3-4 days at a time to test for allergy.

or that you waiting till 6 months (rather than 4) was beneficial to the infant.

In fact, babies who have been introduced foods earlier on have less of a tendency to develop allergies to those foods (ex: fish).

She said I could pretty much puree anything I was eating and feed it to DD right away. Any combination of meats, veggies, fruit, salt, spice was fine. (Healthy foods obviously, not a Big Mac. )

And, that this is how it is done in all other countries in the world with no detrimental effects to the infant.

The only thing she said still applied was the no honey rule.

Any else hear this?

Crazy, huh?

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

i haven't heard this exactly - but i believe it

i started my son with avacado and not cereal

my son had shrimp at 8 months and peanut butter at 10 months - i believe in a controlled situatio it is better to give something and the earlier they have it the better - an allergic reaction can happen at anytime though

i did wait till 6 months to start though because the APA found that there is less obesity in children who are EBF till 6 months - and my dh's side has problems with weight

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

I believe that there are benefits to waiting until your child is six months, I waited until my baby was six months old, she was ready for it and enjoyed the food.

I just started my baby out with food...basically I just started with a veg and just went right into mixing things, using regular cereals for breakfast. I didn't follow anyones rules.

Do what you think feels right no matter what!

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Who knows, DS started solids at 4 months, we tried eggs at 8 months, started treenut spreads at 12 months, peanut butter at 18 months and we have had 2 or 3 cats (one died last year ) in the house since he was born and I breastfed until he was 22 months.

He is allergic to eggs, treenuts, peanuts and cats. Go figure

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

I believe its ok to start solids at 4 months once my dd started going after my plate I would let her taste whatever I was eating and she loves it and the dr. said it was fine what I was doing at her 6 month well visit that I was doing a great job.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

yup...heard it, believe it...and I often recommend veggies at 4mths, fruit at 5 for this reason

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

I believe it too.

Our generation started on solids much earlier than our kids, yet this generation has more food allergies than ever before.

I do believe our environment has something to do with it. Not the same world we grew up in with the pesticides, bad chemicals, etc.

I waited for cues with both of my babies (showing interest in what we were eating, etc.) The first guy did fine (almost 3) and my 7 month old has liked everything and tolerated everything I have given him since 5 months old (Have not tried a lot yet though)

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

I plan on doing something to this effect with #3.
With my first I was so slow to introduce food but I did start cereal at 4.5 months. He only had it once a day until he was 6 months old. He was a horrible eater as an infant. He always needed to be entertained so he didn't realize he was eating. He is very picky now at 4.5
With my second I started at 4.5 months again but then introduced everything right after. I did the 2 day rule and by 6 months I introduced table food. At 8 months she was off baby food. She was a great eater and would eat what ever I put in front of her. She got sick with something at 18 months and lost her appetite. After that and watching how picky her brother is she doesn't eat much. If DS is not around she will try things and still has a lot more variety as far as what she likes. She is getting with it.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

I believe it -
I don't think it's crazy

I think a lot of the crap that they make US crazy about it just to cover their own tushes .........

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

what? no one flamed you!

Seriously I was chanting this months ago, and I got cyberly beat up. Whatever, carry on.

I believe it, my ped does too, but he usually gives everyone the default AAP mantra unless they ask him specific questions on what he would do.

But I think its only part of the puzzle.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

I don't know if i believe that because i know 4 kids that have diabetes, young kids, like 3-7 range. All their parents started solids at 3-4 months old

also the 3-4 day rule, how would you know which food your child was allergic to if you did a different new food each day and there was a reaction?

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Not flaming you but I don't buy it. A 4 month old doesn't *need* solids. Breastmilk (or formula) are plenty sufficient.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

we started Ds on solids at 4 months and started with fruits and cereal. if you are allergic to something you are allergic. we are going to try peanut butter with DS about sooner rather than later.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Posted by mommyIam

what? no one flamed you!

Seriously I was chanting this months ago, and I got cyberly beat up. Whatever, carry on.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Message edited 12/17/2010 8:08:01 PM.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

We basically did this, but our ped. recommended letting DS give us cues that he was ready for solids, instead of just starting them at a certain month. We ended up starting around 5 months, when he was sitting up well, and looking at our food and making little chomping motions. I was a little more hesitant to just jump into stuff, so I used wholesomebabyfood.com as a guide. We did veggies and fruits and then meats. Now he eats a lot. I still haven't given him any straight dairy though (he's 9 months) bc I know he gets his calcium from bfing. Still haven't given him grains (except for puffs).

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

My peditrician has said that same thing that yours did except he still suggest the 3 day rule. I was so surprised because with DS1 I felt like there were so many guidelines but with DS2 it's just no honey. I am still applying some of the same things I dd with DS1 though for my own comfort. I also waited until almost 5 1/2 months to start.

But I don't see any harm in starting at 4 months as long as they are still given BM or formula.

Re: New study on introducing solids - old theory out the window

ds started at 4 months and was having some of the stage 2 then. he's had a good appetite.

i still prefer the 3 day rule as dh had a bunch of food allergies when he was a baby.

Message edited 12/17/2010 10:40:05 PM.