I'm feeling very conflicted.

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.

HOWEVER... I'm starting to think my baby might be ready for solids - before six months!

Vi is five months + 1 week. She's exclusively breast fed.

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.

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.

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).

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?

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.

Thoughts?