When to start solids?

A topic that sometimes causes confusion!

With the rise of childhood allergies and obesity and a potential plethora of reasons why, it’s important to consider the first introduction to food as part of a rather large puzzle with regards to future health outcomes. Breastmilk, or formula where breastmilk can’t be provided provides all of the necessary nutrients for babies from birth to six months, we must not underestimate this! From around six months, babies begin to need nutrient rich solid foods in addition to breastmilk or formula to meet adequate requirements for their age. It’s a natural progression, as is sitting, crawling and walking.

Incorporating foods and complementing a milk diet should be a positive and exciting experience for both you and baby, this is another reason to look at your baby as an individual and look for signs of readiness for natural progression with this milestone (loss of tongue thrust, sitting unassisted/good neck control, genuine interest in food, ability to hold).

I encourage baby led weaning (I prefer to call it baby led food introduction) where it suits your baby and when they are ready as evidence shows that experiences with food (taste and texture) and eating (a family orientated, social affair) early in life can affect attitudes and habits later on, what if we could nip certain health conditions in the bud from a young age simply by fostering positive attitudes towards food from day one?!

Around six months of age, most babies show the above discussed signs that they are ready to explore the world of food. Recommendations currently advise that solids are not introduced before 4 months of age as a baby’s digestive system is continuing to mature, I encourage the closer to 6 months the better. Although baby might think they’re ready, or interested to try what you’re eating (they’re generally just interested in anything you’ve got, right?!) their digestive system simply won’t be ready for the transition until around that magic age of 6 months. This is due to their bodies inability to produce sufficient levels of enzymes to digest foods. Enzymes that digest carbohydrates don’t reach sufficient levels until around 7 months and starches around 6 months. Lipase and bile salts, which aid in fat digestion, don’t reach full levels until the age of 6 to 9 months. Whilst breastmilk does contain enzymes that support digestion, it really makes you consider what to begin feeding a baby and also the amounts in which are realistic for them to be consuming. Quality over quantity and if most of it doesn’t make it in their mouth for the first few weeks, or if they’re just tasting and spitting out or “gumming” at food, it really doesn’t matter. It’s about the experience as much the nutrition.

Risks of solid introduction too early

Intestinal permeability or “leaky gut” is a term thrown around in naturopathic medicine/nutritional medicine often. Between 4 and 6 months, baby’s naturally have this to allow for antibodies from breastmilk to enter the bloodstream from the small intestine, but large molecules from solid foods can also pass through and may cause allergies, or even carry pathogens with them which could potentially make baby sick.

In addition to the digestive system really beginning to mature, at this age so are other functions that go hand in hand with commencing solids such as immune function and the ability to chew and swallow. Unless advised medically or professionally, it’s indicated to wait until baby is ready, both in what they show you and what’s going on internally.

Another risk of solid introduction too early is the reduction in milk feeds, this is of particular concern as this is where the majority of baby’s nutrients will be obtained from until 1 year of age, not food. In a nutshell - food ISN’T JUST for fun until the age of 1 (so the old saying goes) it’s much more than that, but nothing should completely replace milk feeds until 1. The World Health Organisation also encourages breastfeeding past the age of 2, it is our Western culture that doesn’t accept this so the rush for solid foods doesn’t need to happen the second a baby turns 4 months. There is plenty of time, but there is a “sweet spot”.

Delaying the introduction of solids beyond six months

MAY result in baby not getting enough nutrients, in particular iron as this is around the time when stores decrease. This shouldn’t be cause for panic or concern though and I certainly wouldn’t be reaching for any fortified iron foods, think naturally rich foods. Sweet potato, avocado, steamed broccoli or spinach, slow cooked meat or even a chop to chew on (good for teething) if there’s no sharp bits of bone etc.

Unless there are signs of allergies/sensitivities or there is a family history of certain food allergies I don’t necessarily advocate trying one food at a time. Baby led weaning means that the baby gets what you’re eating! Easy peasy! Minus super spicy food, raw eggs/meat and honey. I also advise to only introduce one “common” allergenic food at a time (dairy, eggs, wheat products, nuts, seeds, soy), other advocates of baby led weaning may not agree with this, but from a nutritionist’s view this means it can be quite clear from the start if there are any signs that need to be watched.

Of course, with all information presented when you’re a parent it’s important to analyse it and take what’s relevant to your family. If you’d prefer to just do one food at a time - that’s totally fine. If your little one isn’t really taking to baby led weaning and intuitively you’re wanting to try purée or mash - go for it! There isn’t necessarily a wrong or right when it comes to babies, they’re all so different and have different needs and wants, and as parents so do we. Ultimately, we need to be cool, calm and collected when offering food for the first time so do what you’re comfortable with.

Check back for my next post on how to safely introduce foods, cutting and preparation techniques and what you may want to consider for baby’s first “meal”.

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