When to Start Solids: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

When To Start Solids: Key Readiness Signs

Parents often wonder when to start solids, but following your baby’s cues is key.

1. Can Your Baby Sit Upright and Hold Their Head Steady?

Before introducing solids, it’s important that your baby can hold their head and neck steady. This helps ensure they can swallow food safely. If your little one can also sit upright with little support, ideally in a 90-degree seated position, it’s a great sign they might be ready for the next step!

2. Does Your Baby Show Interest in Food?

A curious baby is a ready baby! If your little one is watching you eat, following the movement of food with their eyes, or showing signs of curiosity by grabbing large objects and bringing them to their mouth, these are wonderful signs they may be ready to explore new textures and flavours.

3. Has Your Baby Lost the Tongue-Thrust Reflex?

The tongue-thrust reflex, also known as the extrusion reflex, is when your baby instinctively pushes their tongue out when something touches their lips or the tip of their tongue. This reflex usually fades between 4-6 months. While it doesn’t affect their ability to swallow (babies can already safely swallow milk), it can make it a little harder for them to move solid food to the back of their mouth. Losing this reflex isn’t essential, but it can make the transition to solids a bit smoother.

When To Start Solids: What Are Not Signs of Readiness?

When to start solids is a big milestone, and every baby reaches it in their own time. It can be tempting to think that certain behaviours mean your baby is ready for solids, but it’s important to know that some actions might point to something else. If your baby is:

1. Waking up frequently at night

2. Crying a lot or seeming constantly hungry

3. Grabbing at food but not yet sitting up on their own

These behaviours often signal growth spurts, changes in routine, or a need for more milk, but they don’t necessarily mean your baby is ready for solids just yet. Trust yourself and your baby’s development – it’s all part of the journey!

When To Start Solids: Risks of Starting Too Early

Introducing solids too early can present some challenges. Here are a few things to be mindful of:

Kidney strain:

Your baby’s kidneys are still developing after birth – they gradually mature, reaching near-adult levels of function between one to two years of age. An early introduction of foods like animal proteins and high-sodium foods can put extra strain on them to eliminate waste products.

Digestive issues:

Your baby’s digestive system is still maturing too, and introducing solids too early can affect healthy gut development and have a negative impact on the gut microbiome. Waiting allows the gut to better handle new foods, reducing the risk of digestive discomfort, allergies, or even long-term issues like celiac disease or type 1 diabetes.

Decreased of breast milk supply:

When solids are introduced too early, your baby may naturally start to reduce milk feeds, which could lead to a decrease in your milk supply before they’re nutritionally ready to rely more on food. It’s a delicate balance, but one you’ll manage beautifully with time.

When To Start Solids: Risks of Starting Too Late

On the other hand, waiting too long to introduce solids can come with its own set of challenges. Here’s what to watch out for:

Weight loss and malnutrition:

By around 6 months, your baby’s growing energy needs and nutritional requirements (especially for key nutrients like iron and zinc) increase. Breast milk or formula alone may not provide everything they need at this stage.

Food aversions:

Babies who are introduced to solids later may be less open to trying new textures and flavours, which could lead to picky eating down the road. Knowing when to start solids helps set the foundation for a healthy diet!

Increased risk of food allergies:

Studies suggest that introducing allergenic foods (like peanuts) between 4-6 months can actually help reduce the risk of allergies. Waiting too long might mean missing that ideal window for building tolerance.

Understanding Reflexes: Tongue-Thrust vs. Gagging vs. Choking

Does It Matter If You’re Breastfeeding or Formula-Feeding When Introducing Solids?

Yes, but only slightly.

Breast milk provides everything a baby needs for the first 6 months, including immune-boosting antibodies and easily absorbed nutrients. This is why breastfed babies can typically wait until closer to 6 months to start solids. There’s no rush!

Formula, on the other hand, is designed to provide complete nutrition and meets infants’ needs for the first 4-6 months. However, some nutrients in formula are not as easily absorbed, and it lacks the immune-boosting properties of breast milk. For this reason, if your baby shows signs of readiness, it’s okay to begin introducing solids slightly earlier.

A Note On The Role of Iron

Babies are born with a natural store of iron, but by around 6 months, these stores start to deplete. Breast milk contains less iron than formula, but it’s more easily absorbed. For formula-fed babies, introducing solids a bit earlier helps maintain those iron levels. Iron-rich foods like fortified cereals, pureed meats, or legumes are great options for one of your baby’s first foods!

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Baby’s Development

Every baby is wonderfully unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to when to start solids. The key is to pay attention to your baby’s cues, work with your paediatrician, and most importantly, enjoy this exciting time! Trust yourself and with the right preparation, starting solids will be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your baby.

By focusing on your baby’s individual needs and following these gentle guidelines, you’ll help them transition smoothly into this new phase of growth and discovery!

Your Baby’s Next Steps: What You Might Be Wondering

Introducing solids can feel a little overwhelming, but it’s also such a wonderful experience! Here are some common questions to consider as you and your baby begin this journey together:

What foods should I start with?

How should I introduce foods?

What texture and size are safe?

What is BLW (Baby Led Weaning), and why should I try it?

When during the day should I offer solids?

How often should I feed solids?

Should I stop breastfeeding/formula feeding?

What are the signs of food allergies?

Am I prepared for infant CPR and first aid in case of choking?

Here are some interesting reads to keep the ball rolling:

Borowitz, S.M., 2021. First bites—why, when, and what solid foods to feed infants. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 9, p.654171. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8032951/

Kuo, A.A., Inkelas, M., Slusser, W.M., Maidenberg, M. and Halfon, N., 2011. Introduction of solid food to young infants. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15(8), pp.1185-1194. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195680/

Arant, B.S. Jr., 1987. Postnatal development of renal function during the first year of life. Pediatric Nephrology, 1(3), pp.308-313. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3153294/

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Evaluation of the Addition of Ingredients New to Infant Formula, 2004. Infant formula: evaluating the safety of new ingredients. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215846/

Ready to start your baby’s solids journey?

Trust your instincts, follow your baby’s cues, and embrace this exciting milestone! If you found this guide helpful, share it with other parents or drop your questions in the comments. Let’s navigate this journey together!