While official health guidelines recommend introducing solid foods to your baby at approximately 6 months of age, many parents decide to start the process earlier. This article aims to provide valuable information about the safety aspects related to this important stage in your baby’s development.
Health Canada advises parents to wait until their baby is at least 6 months old before embarking on the journey of introducing solid foods. However, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2018, which involved experts from King’s College London, suggests that commencing weaning before the 6-month mark might result in better sleep patterns for babies.
One fundamental aspect on which experts unanimously agree is the recommendation not to start weaning before your baby reaches 17 weeks.
So, When Do Parents Typically Begin Weaning?
A poll involving 402 mothers revealed that 54% of them initiated weaning at either 4 or 5 months, while 40% adhered to the official guidance and waited until their babies were 6 months old or even older.
What Were the Key Findings from the 2018 Study on the Early Introduction of Solids?
The research primarily aimed to investigate whether feeding specific foods to babies could reduce the risk of allergies. As a secondary objective, the study explored whether introducing solids to babies before the age of 6 months could lead to improved sleep patterns.
The study encompassed the analysis of two groups, each consisting of 650 babies. One group was exclusively breastfed until the age of 6 months, while the other group received breast milk and solids, including potentially allergenic foods like peanuts, wheat, and eggs, just a few weeks short of the recommended 17-week threshold.
The results of the study indicated that babies introduced to solids earlier exhibited an average increase of 2 hours in their weekly sleep duration by the time they reached 6 months of age. Furthermore, these infants woke up 2 times less during the night compared to their counterparts.
However, it is vital to emphasize that the guidelines in Canada, recommending the commencement of weaning at around 6 months, have not undergone any alterations.
When Can You Safely Start Weaning?
- Safe initiation: If your baby is older than 17 weeks, demonstrating signs of readiness for weaning, and you have received guidance from your Family Doctor.
- Unsafe initiation: If your baby is younger than 17 weeks or if you intend to implement baby-led weaning (requiring the baby to be at least 6 months old).
- Seek advice: If your baby is older than 17 weeks but is not showing the typical signs of readiness, or if there is a family history of allergies or celiac disease.
Identifying Signs of Readiness for Weaning:
- Possessing strong neck and head control, capable of sitting with minimal support.
- Consistent and healthy weight gain since birth.
- Demonstrating the ability to reach for objects, grasp them, and bring them to the mouth.
It is of paramount importance to consult your Family Doctor before embarking on the weaning process. It is equally crucial to avoid misinterpreting common infant behaviors as signs of readiness and to never commence weaning before the baby reaches the age of 4 months, as this has been associated with an elevated risk of childhood obesity. Certain foods are also discouraged for babies under 6 months.
Remember that each baby is unique, and what suits one may not be suitable for another. Safety and seeking guidance from your healthcare provider are of utmost importance when determining the appropriate time to commence weaning.
