Starting solids: When and why
Starting solids: When and why
The American Academy of pediatrics recommendations:
“Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.
Introduce solids around 6 months of age.”
The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommendations:
“The early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth;
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; and
The introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years if age or beyond.”
Most research are based on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. But it’s important to note that the same AAP, WHO and UNICEF recommendations stand for formula feeding infants too. Infants don’t need anything other than breastmilk or formula in the first 6 months of life. Breastmilk and formula offer babies both all the needed nutrients and calories they need to survive and thrive.
Signs of readiness for solids:
– At least 6 months of age
– Good head and neck control
– Can sit with very minimal support but preferably unsupported
– Lost the tongue thrust reflex
– Baby is ready and willing to chew
– Baby can pick up food and bring it to their mouth
What’s not signs of readiness:
– Under 6 months of age
– Reaching a certain height or weight
– Being a small or big baby
– Frequent night wakings
– Frequent feeding (How frequently is normal?)
– Cluster feeding
Why 6 months? For breastfed babies and mothers.
– Most babies will only be developmentally ready between the ages of 6-8 months
– Most babies will only reach both physical and developmental readiness signs around 6 months
– Babies simply don’t need the additional calories. Breastmilk provides enough calories in the first 6 months to sustain babies.
– It is only after 6 months that breastmilk may no longer provide the needed amounts of certain nutrients such as iron and zinc
– Better protection from illnesses
– Decreased risk of gastroentestinal and respiratory infections
– Babies don’t have the neccessary amounts of enzymes to digest food before 6 months of age. So if they start solids before then, they will have greater difficulty with digestion.
– Protection against otitis media and recurrent otitis media
– Protection against Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
– Protection against Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
– Better milk supply for the mother
– Quicker weight loss for most
– Reduced chances of pregnancy due to Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
Why 6 months? For formula babies.
– Most babies will only be developmentally ready between the ages of 6-8 months
– Most babies will only reach both physical and developmental readiness signs around 6 months
– Babies simply don’t need the additional calories. Formula provides enough calories in the first 6 months to sustain babies.
– It is only after 6 months that breastmilk may no longer provide the needed amounts of certain nutrients such as iron and zinc
– Babies don’t have the necessary amounts of enzymes to digest food before 6 months of age. So, if they start solids before then, they will have greater difficulty with digestion.
What if my baby shows signs of readiness before 6 months of age?
Babies will become interested in everything we do, not just in the food we eat and how we eat it. This is normal and how they learn most things in life, by observing others. But being curious is definitely not a sign of readiness to start solids. Like many things in life, they will want to do everything we do, this doesn’t mean they should. Even if a baby shows some of the readiness signs, it’s still not necessary to start them on solids because they’re not 6 months old yet. Babies should be 6 months of age and show the signs of readiness. Like mentioned above, before 6 months babies just don’t need food and starting solids too early will take away many health benefits from them. Babies have their whole life ahead of them to eat, so there’s absolutely no rush.
What you can do to involve baby at mealtimes without starting solids:
– Offer them sippy cups to play or practice with. Empty or with a tiny bit of breastmilk, it’s more for playing than actual drinking. Water can be given from 6 months of age.
– Give baby an empty bowl or plate with baby utensils to play around with. It’s great for motor skills development and for practice for the real thing
– If you really want to give baby something to eat, why not give them a breastmilk popsicle? This way they can eat while still only receiving breastmilk.
Additional information and resources:
AAP Infant Food and Feeding recommendations
WHO Infant and young child feeding recommendations
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
Optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding
The effect of breastfeeding on weight gain in infants: results of a birth cohort study
Dietary zinc and iron sources, physical growth and cognitive development of breastfed infants
