When to start
The current recommendation is to start solids at 6 months of age.
The World Health Organisation, The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the American Academy of Pediatrics (amongst others) all take the position that breastmilk is the single most important source of nutrition for infants for the first 6 months of life. Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies and is adequate to meet the nutritional needs of the healthy infant in the first 6 months of life.
The current recommendation is that full-term healthy infants be exclusively breastfed to around 6 months of age (180 days). After this time the infant can be introduced to solid foods, whilst continuing breastfeeding until 1 year of age and thereafter as long as is mutually desired by both infant and mother.
When setting the 6 month recommendation, researchers had to balance the nutritional needs of the infant with their physical and developmental readiness.
At around 6 months of age:
- It becomes increasingly difficult for infants to meet their energy and nutrient needs from breastmilk alone;
- The infant’s digestive system is mature enough to digest foods other than breastmilk;
- Oral-motor development has progressed from sucking to munching and the appearance of early chewing;
- The tongue thrust reflex has faded and the infant is able to hold more solid foods in the mouth;
- Most infants display a keen interest in exploring their environments.
Sign of readiness to commence a Baby-Led introduction to solids can include:
- Ability to sit up with little or no support;
- Good head and neck control;
- Loss of the tongue-thrust reflex;
- Interest in food and watching people eat;
- Ability to grasp objects with the hand and get them to the mouth;
- Active exploration of toys and objects with the mouth and tongue.
By waiting until the infant is developmentally ready to start solids the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to the active consumption of a varied and balanced diet will be easier and more enjoyable for both baby and their caregivers.
As the essence behind Baby Led Weaning is to let the infant self feed from the beginning of the process it is important that the infant is showing the signs of readiness (particularly the first three points) before starting to offer the infant appropriate foods to eat. This ensures that the infant is developmentally ready to start solids.
Further Reading:
Source: National Health and Medical Research Council. Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia incorporating the Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2003.
Rapley G, Murkett, T. Baby-led weaning: Helping your baby to love good food. London: Vermilion; 2008.
World Health Organization. Infant and Young Child Feeding: model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. Geneva: WHO; 2009.
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