At DS's 4 month appointment, the pediatrician recommended starting solids right away to prevent food allergies. He acknowledged that this is a new, not widespread recommendation. The pediatrician said we could start with any puree, and recommended banana, so he is not pushing cereal. He noted that in Israel, where solids are started early, there is a very low rate of food allergies, but there is a high rate of food allergies among American Jews. (DS is Jewish. He also has some mild eczema.)
I do trust the pediatrician, but I am uncomfortable giving food so early, and I like that DS has only had breast milk. I had wanted to wait towards closer to six months to introduce solids, and am worried that it will interfere with breastfeeding, and provide less good nutrition. Part of this is selfish, I like being DS's sole food source. DH wants to follow the doctor's suggestion, purely because he is our doctor. I generally like out pediatrician, and he was very reassuring when DS was too sleepy to latch at all in the first 24 hours.
I don't think DS is showing signs of readiness. He holds his head steady well, but needs significant assistance in sitting. He puts everything in his mouth, but has not shown an interest in our food. He is nine ounces short of doubling in weight, although he is over 15 pounds.
Does anyone have any studies on the topic? Most of what I can find indicates that starting solids before four months is bad, but I can't find anything on starting solids between four and six months for an EBF baby.