What Do The Experts Say?

When to start baby food is a very common question for a first time mother.  Here you will find direct quotes from the experts on when to start baby food.  

There is more to consider than just the age of your child.  There are also specific readiness signs you can look for to decide if it is the right time for introducing solid foods to baby.  Read these by Dr Hillary from Plugged in Parents.

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At around 26 weeks your baby will reach a stage when she needs solid foods as well as milk in her diet.  If weaning is delayed beyond six months, some babies have difficulty learning to swallow and chew food.

From: Feeding Your Baby and Toddler by Annabel Karmel p.26

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Breastmilk or formula is all that a baby needs for sustenance and growth in the first six months or so of life.  So, around six months of age is a good time to introduce other foods to their diet; anytime before four months of age is too early.


From:  Fresh Food for Babies and Toddlers ("Australian Women's Weekly") by The Australian Women's Weekly p. 17

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From about the age of four to six months, solids should be introduced to babies.  By this age, the digestive system is mature enough to cope with the weaning diet, babies are ready developmentally and they begin to need the extra energy and nutrients to meet growing demands.  

Every baby is different and there is no need to rush into giving her solids. At this stage, you are just introducing different tastes and textures in small amounts.  Milk will still provide most of the nutrients your baby needs.

From:  Healthy Eating for Babies & Toddlers by Anee Sheasby and Jill Scott p. 18

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During your baby's first there will be a time when you will have to start to wean her on to solid foods, although not before she's four months, and possibly quite a bit later than that.  Before this, your baby's digestive tract is incapable of digesting and absorbing complex foods.  If solids are introduced too early, they'll pass through largely undigested, and will put in                             increased strain on your baby's immature kidneys.  

From: Complete Baby & Child Care by Dr Miriam Stoppard  p. 56
When an infant doubles her birth weight, weighs over 13 pounds, lifts and supports her head, may seem to be hungry after 8-10 breast-feedings, or ingests over 40 ounces of formula a day, she may be ready to start eating solid foods. Read the full article 

From:  Plugged in Parents:  An Online Guide For Savviness
Article by Dr. Hillary a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree in health promotion and risk reduction.

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Please share with us your experiences of starting solids with your baby. When to start baby food is something that all new mothers what to know. When did you start and why?

As a mother I am always interested to hear how others found this great new milestone in their babies life.  We would love to add them to our site.

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