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35 years
Some babies start solid food at 6months others at 4. y this difference? and which approach is better? Smtimes the same doctor change his decision from one baby to another.
Aug 26, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
Health experts and breastfeeding experts agree that it’s best to wait until your baby is around six months old before offering any food other than breastmilk. There has been a large amount of research on this, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many doctors and written materials are not up to date in what they are advising parents.Even water is postponed to 6 month with solid food ,he doesn't need it before .

Most babies will become developmentally and physiologically ready to eat solid foods between 6 and 8 months of age.

So why six months and not four here is the answer :

-Although children continue to receive many immunities from breastmilk for as long as they breastfeed, the greatest immunity occurs while a baby is exclusively breastfed. Breastmilk contains 50+ known immune factors, and also facilitates the development of “good bacteria” that protect baby’s gut. Studies have shown that many illnesses and conditions are less likely to occur when baby receives any amount of breastmilk. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3-4 months (compared to non-exclusive breastfeeding) further decreases the risk of respiratory tract infections, ear infections, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), allergic disease, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (compared to 4-6 months), further decreases the risk of gastrointestinal infection and respiratory infection

>if solids are started before a baby’s system is ready to handle them, they are poorly digested and may cause unpleasant reactions (digestive upset, gas, constipation, etc.). Digestion of fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates is incomplete in infancy, but human milk contains enzymes that aid efficient digestion

>The early introduction of solids in infancy is associated with increased body fat and weight in adolescents and adults
>Starting solids will be easier.
>Baby may have more protection from iron-deficiency anemia.
The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby’s iron absorption
>for babies under six months, solids tend to replace milk in a baby’s diet they do not add to baby’s total intake ,and if breastfeeding ,the more solids that baby eats, the less milk he takes from mom, and less milk taken from mom means less milk production.
Babies who eat lots of solids or who start solids early tend to wean prematurely.

However these are the general updated guidelines for all babies ,but sometimes a mother may feel that her baby having signs that he may be ready for solid food ,you can in this stage try to train him to taste only and not introduce a meal ,i think this what some pediatrician recommend but of course not tasting everything .
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