subject: Myths About Starting Your Baby On Solids [print this page] Myths About Starting Your Baby On Solids
Starting your baby on solids can see like a daunting task at first and quite a hassle. Many parents are daunted about it they try to get it out of the way as soon as possible, introducing solids before 6 months old - despite the fact that it isn't recommended to do so. Sometimes we are even given advice to start sooner than 6 months for various obscure reasons. Below are 2 myths when it comes to introducing solids.
MYTH 1 - Babies need solids so they can sleep longer at night.
This belief is one that is popular among parents and one that parents wish was a fact, but there is no basis to suggest this from being true. Even if it was true, is this a good thing? Generally, if a child's digestive system is overburdened - when they haven't built up their ability to consume solids over time - you are basically causing your child to need extra sleep in order to deal with the extra energy expended on dealing with digestion. I wouldn't consider this a good thing.
Children do not need solids to sleep longer at night. Babies will sleep longer once their stomachs are able to take in more and they are nutritionally satisfied. Giving a child solids just to get them to sleep longer sooner is untrue and wrong.
MYTH 2 - Your baby's weight has reached a magic number that makes them ready to eat solids.
Being a certain weight doesn't mean your baby is ready for solids, especially if they are under 6 months old. The World Healthy Organisation recommends waiting until a child is at least 6 months before starting solids and there is no exception to this regarding weight. It is the maturity of your child's digestive system and also their developmental readiness that makes the difference in regards to when your baby is ready. Studies done on baby readiness have shown that babies before 4 months do not have an interest in solids. They may chew on things, but their desire to taste and eat does not come before 6 months old. Some babies do not show a real interest in solids until well into their second year.
The best way to know when a child is ready is to keep offering things and let them guide you. Some days your baby might eat lots of solids and other days have no interest whatsoever. Nothing is set in gold and having regular meals is not a necessity when starting out as long as you are continuing to nurse.
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