https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 14:36:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062789 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:21:21 +0000 aprk 1062789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A is CRAZY when we eat around him. Starts to make chewing movements with his mouth and grabs for our plates. I really really wanted to start with BLW, but he isn't sitting unsupported but does great in a high chair. So, we started with purees, just shy of 5 months. He LOVED IT. Immediately grabbed the spoon and fed himself like he'd been doing it for years. He delights in eating, and still nurses just the same. I say go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062779 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:16:43 +0000 mrsjyw 1062779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was like this, so we started solids at 5.5 months! Pedi was also happy we did, since we had a full two week report on solids transition at our 6 mth appt. :)</p> <p>He's a great eater and still bfs as well :) at 9 months </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062764 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:13:09 +0000 rachiecakes 1062764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I could've written this myself! It got to where I couldn't eat in front of J because he would mmm and chew, eat his hands and cry out of frustration. I felt awful, lol<br /> He was a little over 5 months old and so ready, trying to tell me that he was, too. I knew he really was when I tried his first solid and he knew exactly what to do with it. No spitting it out, 'chewing', swallowing, etc. If he hadn't I don't think I would've tried to go any further at that time.<br /> ETA: he's never -knock on wood- had a food allergy or any kind of reaction, never a diaper rash, only had one cold in his almost 2 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062757 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 15:11:12 +0000 sarac 1062757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter was like this, so I let her start experimenting at that age. She had a lot of extra diaper rash for a few months, clearly caused by the food. Next baby, I'll wait longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062691 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:44:21 +0000 Crisark 1062691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 4 months and had our pedi's approval ( I was starting whether they said it was ok or not). We started because of all the reasons you've stated. She was ready. Plain and simple.<br /> We didn't start giving her food to get her to sleep longer at night either...she's been doing that since 8 weeks. It's done nothing to extend her STTN. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062650 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:25:19 +0000 googly-eyes 1062650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All babies are different!</p> <p>We waited til six months, but my dd was NOT ready anyway prior to that! </p> <p>If you think it might be right for your LO, no harm in trying. She won't be doomed for life for trying solids 3 weeks before turning 6 months.</p> <p>And forget about what you said when you were pregnant. We're all the best moms til we have a kid... I think we're naive the first time around for a reason. :) Don't worry about the "rule of thumb" or people judging you, just do what you feel is best for Vi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062553 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:51:44 +0000 hilsy85 1062553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think doing it the way you describe--giving her a piece of banana and seeing what she does with it--is perfect. No pressure, no big deal either way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062543 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:49:08 +0000 blackbird 1062543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. pen, ooo...i guess my concern would be mostly BLW then. Everything I read says not to do it until your kid is sitting unassisted. I think she'll get there, soon, though. She sits there, leaning on her hands and gets excited about something, then loses her balance and flops over. I've been working on her sitting skills with her more, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062479 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:28:45 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1062479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the magical time happens when the baby has the skills. There was no way my first daughter was ready before 6 months. But my second daughter was definitely ready at 5 months. Go by their cues and you can't go wrong! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062464 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:25:28 +0000 Smurfette 1062464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say if you think she is ready then go for it. Day care kept telling me that she was interested and jealous when the other kids got food and she was sitting at the high chair table with them. I kept saying I wanted to wait, and finally decided to give it ago and she loves it! We are doing cereal, which I know you are against. But we mashed up some avocado this weekend out to lunch and she liked that too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062463 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:25:19 +0000 heartonastring 1062463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Exactly! Trust your babe :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062454 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:24:07 +0000 Arden 1062454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should note that I'm not considering this so that she'll sleep longer - we cosleep so her night wakings really aren't a big deal. </p> <p>I'm just wondering if they are a sign that she isn't completely satisfied with just milk anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062446 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:22:44 +0000 Arden 1062446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sort of feel like she knows when she's ready better than I do, so I could just set some banana on her tray and if she eats it, fine. If she ignores it, fine. I'm not going to push it into her mouth. But if she eats it, then she's probably ready for it. Right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062443 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:21:42 +0000 bunnylove08 1062443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 4 months. DD was showing signs (exactly what your LO was doing). The food did not help her sleep any better. If you're comfortable why not start her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062440 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:21:22 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1062440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: @blackbird: oh, J didn't sit up unassisted until almost 8 months! ha! but he had all the other signs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062370 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:03:28 +0000 loveisstrange 1062370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started between 4 and 5 months because she showed all the signs of being ready. She loved them. At 6 months, we started table food and she loved that too.</p> <p>Honestly, recommendations shouldn't be taken as absolutes. You should trust your gut and do what you think you should for YOUR family. </p> <p>Nothing is an absolute "best". All kids are different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062360 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:01:05 +0000 mrs. wagon 1062360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't believe in holding tight to a rule when it comes to parenting unless it's forbidden by our pediatrician! ;)</p> <p>Honestly LMW was like this around 5 months and when we finally got around to giving her solids for the first time, she was appalled. She would get so angry. We took a step back and then tried again in a couple of weeks. All of a sudden solids were gold. We started with purees and a few handheld things, but she didn't really start actually ingesting them til 7 or 8 months. Right around 1 we went to table foods and there is no turning back now!! She takes alarmingly large bites of things but has never even gagged once... while WJ would gag even with chunky purees.</p> <p>If I were you I'd offer something and see what happens! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062355 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 13:00:28 +0000 shopaholic 1062355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Wow! Vi is showing waaay more signs than K, who turns 6 months this week! I would say to trust your own instincts and do what you feel is right. We've all judged and had pre-conceived notions of what we would/wouldn't do before we had our own LOs. You just end up adjusting because each child/parent is different. </p> <p>That said, I think I might even hold out longer than 6 months since K seems to not have as much interest and precursors to solids yet as the other March babies. She looks and follows the food, but not to the extent you've detailed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062349 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:59:44 +0000 CottonCandy 1062349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 5 months as well....Simple purees like pear and applesauce. My advice is to follow your gut and do what you think works for your LO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062345 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:58:07 +0000 Arden 1062345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is the definition of sitting unsupported? She sits with one hand down to balance her - is that supported? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062344 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:58:03 +0000 HellOnHeels 1062344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have direct experience, but have heard from others; 6 months is not the specific time to start solids, more of a "around". I've seen/heard of LO's starting solids before 6 months AND after. Just depends on the babe. No "food problems" later with either. Do what YOU think is best for your LO. If she's super interested, personally, I would try and see what happens. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062339 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:56:58 +0000 wheres_c 1062339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: Jinx! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062337 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:56:37 +0000 heartonastring 1062337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 6 months is just an average. It's like saying all babies walk by one year....totally not true for all, but probably a fairly accurate average. So long as she's showing interest in food, has lost the tongue thrust reflex and can sit unsupported I'd say go for it. Nothing is going to magically change when the clock strikes midnight on her six month birthday :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062334 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:56:15 +0000 wheres_c 1062334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like you and I have very similar parenting philosophies. I was adamant about waiting until 6 months, but at about 5 months 2 weeks he was showing the signs of readiness that you describe.</p> <p>So between 5-6 months I started giving him a few slices of avocado and banana. I started giving him "Meals" at 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062332 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:56:01 +0000 blackbird 1062332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also curious....as E is 5 months on Thursday and is showing a *ton* of interest in what Dh and I eat. She grabs our hands and tries to eat whatever's in it (literally lunges at them)...maybe because we don't share! She stares at us so intensely...</p> <p>But, E is not sitting unassisted, and that is a requirement for BLW, so I am holding off. She's getting really damn close, though. </p> <p>I did make some peachsauce last weekend, dipped my finger in it, and let her taste it off my finger. She wasn't very impressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062331 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:55:52 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1062331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's exactly how J was. I as well was fixated on the 6 month rule but he was SO ready at 5 months! We started with bananas and avocados and he did SO well! </p> <p>Follow your gut just try it. Even half a banana or 1/4 avocado to start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062328 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:55:10 +0000 looch 1062328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I could do over feeding my son, I would have ABSOLUTELY listened to my instincts more. Not to go too far off topic, but I feel a massive amount of guilt over what I could have possibly done differently in order to not have landed where we are with respect to eating.</p> <p>In short, I think my strictness translated into my son's pickiness and refusal to try new things. So go with your instincts. They're usually not wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062324 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:54:02 +0000 regberadaisy 1062324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at one week shy of 6 months but like your LO she was very ready by 5 months. TBH the only reason why I held out so long was because DH was very adamant about following our ped's 6 month rule. Finally at one week shy he saw how she would lunge for our food and agreed to start before 6 months. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-solids-before-six-months#post-1062317 Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:51:38 +0000 Arden 1062317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm feeling very conflicted. </p> <p>Pre-baby, I was very set on waiting until at least six months to start solids. I was actually kind of judgmental of people who started giving their babies food at four or five months just so they would sleep through the night or whatever other excuse they gave, and said I would never do it.</p> <p>HOWEVER... I'm starting to think my baby might be ready for solids - before six months!</p> <p>Vi is five months + 1 week. She's exclusively breast fed.</p> <p>For quite a while now she's shown a real interest in my food, and it has grown to a fascination. She watches my food intensely, tries desperately to grab it and put it in her mouth. She'll literally follow the spoon around, reaching for it and making a chewing motion with her mouth.</p> <p>She's started acting unsatisfied after nursing, fussing and shaking her head and acting frustrated when the milk is gone. She's feeding more often, waking throughout the night WAY more often than she used to to nurse. </p> <p>She's sitting well, has an excellent pincher grasp, and chews on everything she can get her hands on (a wooden spoon is her favorite thing ever). </p> <p>So now I'm wondering... is there something magical about the six month mark that changes? Will starting early raise her chances of food problems later in life?</p> <p>My gut is just telling me to give the poor kid a banana or a slice of avocado and let her go at it, but I don't want to do something that isn't best for her.</p> <p>Thoughts? </p>