The question
As a mom, I know it can be hard to get straight answers to parenting questions. Websites and discussion boards offer so many conflicting opinions (right?). Even professional recommendations sometime vary. This can be confusing… and frustrating! As a dietitian, I also know people have a LOT of questions about feeding their babies. Here’s an important one: “When is the ‘right’ time to start offering solid food?”
The recommendation
Northern Health supports the following recommendations from World Health Organization, Health Canada, Canadian Pediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada, Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, and Perinatal Services BC:
- Infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life
- With continued breastfeeding, complementary solid foods and other fluids are introduced around the age of six months of life
- Continued breastfeeding is recommended for up to two years and beyond
Well, now that’s a mouthful! Let’s simplify that:
“Breastmilk is the only food a baby needs for the first six months. After that, keep breastfeeding and offer nutritious foods, too.”
The details
Since there are some variations in when babies are ready to eat food, we see the language of starting foods at about six months of age. Some babies will be ready for food a few weeks earlier than six months, some a few weeks later. Your baby will give you signs, not just that they are interested in food, but also that they are developmentally ready. Your baby may be ready for solids if they can:
- Sit up, unsupported
- Open their mouth for food
- Turn their head when they are full
Our daughter let us know when she was ready, which, for her, was just before six months (I have proud mama pictures of her eating little bits of soft stew meat as her first food. So cute!).
More questions
“Don’t some people say, ‘Food before one is just for fun’?”
Red flag! This phrase is concerning because we know how important food is for babies, starting at about six months. One big reason is the increased need for iron at this age. Other reasons include involving babies in family meals and supporting the development of their eating and food acceptance skills.
“What about children at risk for food allergy?”
Children at risk of food allergy include those who have eczema and those who have a parent or sibling with an allergic condition. Families can start to introduce safe forms of peanut, egg, and other common food allergens when baby is about six months old, and is showing signs that they are ready for solid foods. For children at risk of food allergy, offering these foods amongst the first solid foods can help to reduce baby’s risk of food allergy. Find more guidance in Reducing risk of food allergy in your baby at HealthLink BC.
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