What age did you start your baby on solids?

[October89]

My baby is 5 months old next week. I think she would really benefit from some solid food. She has about 7oz 5 times a day and now she's started to notice and stare when I eat and makes chewing motions. What age did you introduce solids? Google tells me no sooner than 6 months.

We started at 5 and a half months. He had all the signs- sitting well with good head control, trying to grab food off my plate etc. He took to it really quickly and was definitely ready. The guidance say around 6 months so for some they are ready just before this and others a bit later. The NHS website is helpful about the signs.

Please bear in mind that if you think they're hungry and need food, rather than just milk, you won't be getting extra calories in them - milk is much more calorific than puree so you should increase the amount of milk or feeds offered instead. Obviously this isn't everyone who weans early but some parents just seem to want to rush every stage - enjoy them being a small baby first!

Ilovepixie The guidelines changed about 15 years ago and are now in line with WHO guidance around gut maturity.

5 months on the advice of a paediatrician due to very bad reflux... started slow though, but all it’s done has made her sick different colours (7 months now and hasn’t helped the reflux much).

Weaning is also hard work, I’d try and wait it out until 6 months if you can. If I had the choice again, I would’ve waited!

17 weeks here, on paediatrician advice due to severe reflux. She improved steadily from then on (and dropped straight down to two night feeds), though didn’t reliably stop puking until about 12 months.

Took to food instantly, and dropped her milk intake very quickly (though now is the fussiest almost two year old EVER).

DC1 - 6 months- now a fussy eater.
DC2 - 7 months - wasn't interested in food at 6 months but loved it at 7 months and eats anything now.
DC3 - About 6 1/2 months.

All BLW as it meant I didn't have to think about it, DC3 just had 'scraps' and 'donations' from the others plates.

6m started offering at every meal (did blw). Sone days he was into it, other days not so much. He started eating properly around a year - 13m. Ate everything. Now he's 20m and a bit fussier but loves odd stuff like pickled cabbage, beetroot, couscous, chickpeas. Won't touch broccoli or bananas . Kids are wierd.

Kids are always interested in what you're doing though. If you think she's ready, offer. But don't be surprised if she loses interest.