Should you start your baby on solids at 4 months or 6 months old?
Written by 101 before one | July 19, 2024
Why Parents Should Wait: Introducing Solid Foods to Babies at 6 Months
Introducing solid foods to babies is a significant milestone in their development, but it's crucial for parents to understand the optimal timing. The recommendation from health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is clear: wait until your baby is around 6 months old and showing signs of readiness before starting solid foods. This guidance is based on extensive research and is designed to ensure the health and well-being of infants during this critical stage of growth. Many parents don’t realize that the WHO actually changed their recommendation from 4 months old to 6 months old in 2001 (yes, 20+ years ago!), even though pediatricians are still recommending to parents to start early. The WHO made this change after they found no increased benefit to starting solids before 6 months.
We are here to inform parents on the latest best practices so they can make an informed decision for their own baby. Even if your pediatrician “cleared” your baby at 4 months old, it is best to wait closer to 6 months and look for the signs of readiness.
Reasons why we recommend waiting:
1. Breast Milk or Formula Is Sufficient Until 6 Months:
One of the primary reasons to wait until 6 months to introduce solids is that breast milk or formula provides all the necessary nutrition for babies up to this age. Both breast milk and formula are perfectly balanced to meet a baby's nutritional needs, offering the right mix of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals. The early months are crucial for establishing breastfeeding or bottle-feeding routines, and introducing solids too early can disrupt this balance. Solids are actually not as nutritionally dense (think plain carrots) so if we are replacing too much of baby’s diet too early, they would wean off milk too early (not good!). BM and formula are the primary nutrition for babies from 0-12 months, and solids should be added as a complement at 6 months old (starting with 1 meal per day, then moving to 3 meals per day at 9 months).
2. Signs of Readiness:
Around 6 months old, most babies show signs that they are ready for solid foods. These signs include:
- Sitting up with minimal support: This indicates that they have enough neck and head control to swallow food safely. If baby is leaning over in their high chair, they do not have the core strength for solids yet.
- Reaching and grabbing for food: This shows that they are able to self-feed, a core element of baby-led feeding and honoring baby’s own natural hunger cues.
-Bringing toys and teethers to mouth: Babies naturally explore their world with their hands and mouth, and this motion shows they are ready to self-feed.
Waiting until your baby exhibits ALL of these signs helps ensure that they are developmentally ready to handle starting solids.
3. Reduced Risk of Allergies and Digestive Issues:
Introducing solid foods too early, particularly before 4 months, has been associated with an increased risk of allergies and digestive problems. Babies' digestive systems are still developing in the first few months of life, and early introduction of solids can overwhelm their immature digestive tract. Waiting until 6 months allows the digestive system to mature further, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions to new foods. Babies who are at high-risk for allergies (family history, egg allergy, or moderate to severe eczema) can be served top allergens such as peanuts or egg in puree or powder form from 4-6 months old, without actually starting on all solid food.
4. Developmental Benefits:
Delaying the introduction of solids until around 6 months supports optimal growth and development. Babies who receive exclusive breast milk or formula for the first 6 months have been shown to have lower rates of infections, obesity, and chronic diseases later in life. The nutrients in breast milk or formula are uniquely tailored to support brain development, immune function, and overall growth during this critical period.
Why 6 Months is Better than 4 Months:
At 6 months old, babies are better equipped to handle solid foods for several reasons:
- Digestive readiness: By 6 months, the enzymes and digestive system are more developed, making it easier for babies to process and absorb nutrients from solid foods.
- Reduced risk of choking: Babies are more able to sit upright and control their head movements, reducing the risk of choking compared to younger infants.
- Nutritional needs: Around 6 months, babies' iron stores from birth begin to deplete, and they require additional sources of iron, which can be provided through iron-rich solid foods like pureed meats and iron-fortified cereals.
In conclusion, while the journey of introducing solid foods is exciting, it's crucial for parents to follow evidence-based recommendations for the optimal timing. Waiting until your baby is around 6 months old, shows signs of readiness, and ensuring a gradual and safe introduction of solids can set the stage for a positive and healthy relationship with food for years to come. By prioritizing your baby's developmental readiness and nutritional needs, you can help lay the foundation for a lifetime of good health and well-being.
Reasons to NOT start solids early
Weight gain: If your pediatrician recommends to start solids early to help with weight gain, this is not best practice. Milk feeds should be prioritized because they are the most nutrient-dense. Adding in solids too soon actually displaces milk with lower calorie, lower nutrient-dense food. If you are breastfeeding, consult with a lactation consultant to ensure
“Cleared” by pediatrician: We hear from parents all the time that their pediatrician said they can start solids at 4 months old. Again, we recommend waiting as it is not necessary. If your pediatrician says this, we encourage you to ask why and state that global organizations state that closer to 6 months old is
To “get ahead”: If you wait to start solids until 6 months old, you are NOT behind! You will have plenty of time to introduce a wide variety of textures, flavors, and foods to your baby from 6-12 months.
Can we start introducing top allergens or peanuts early at 4 months old?
Babies who are at high risk for peanut allergy (family history of allergies, egg allergy or moderate to severe eczema) can be served the top allergens such as peanuts and egg between 4-6 months. In fact, this is the best practice for the high risk population. Babies who are not at risk for peanut allergies, can be introduced to peanuts when starting solids at 6 months old.
But here’s the thing! Even if you are starting allergens early, you do not need to feel pressure to start all solids early.
Can I start purees at 4 months old?
The key here to note is that you do not need to. Serving your baby purees at 4 months old is not required. If you are choosing to start with purees, you can start once baby is showing signs of readiness, usually closer to 6 months.
Starting solids readiness checklist
Around six months of age
Able to sit up unassisted for several minutes
Good head and neck control
Bringing hands to mouth (able to self-feed)
Chewing on non-food items, such as toys, teethers and fingers
Organizations that recommend starting solids at six months:
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American Academy of Family Physicians
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
The AAP Section on Breastfeeding
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Health Canada and Canadian Paediatric Society
Getting Ready to Start Solids? We’re here to help!
Welcome to 101 before one! We are a team of pediatric experts + doctors who specalisze in educating parents on how to introduce solids to their baby with our signature program, Family meals from the start®
