Q: I don't want to feed my son solid food too soon. When is the best time to introduce them?
A: Many first-time parents have questions about when to introduce solid foods and what foods are appropriate to give your infant at what stages. It's not surprising because how your parents likely fed you is different from the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations and what you may see online.
Many parents are nervous because of the conflicting information about when and how to introduce solid foods. We used to say no solids before 6 months of age, but now you can introduce pureed foods between 4 and 6 months -- as long as your child is interested in it, has good head and body control and doesn't gag or cough. At this age, many babies are beginning to lose the iron they received from mom during the third trimester, and iron-rich foods at this stage can help prevent an iron deficiency later in infancy.
Our understanding of hyper-allergenic foods -- think peanut butter or seafood -- has also shifted. The only food restrictions for babies include avoiding anything that could be a choking hazard as well as honey, which can lead to infant botulism.
There's a good body of research that says introducing a wide range of foods early doesn't lead to food allergies, and in some cases, even offers a protective effect. Only when there's a strong family history of food allergies or your child has moderate to severe eczema is it a good idea to talk with your pediatrician first before introducing certain hyper-allergenic foods that might be a cause of concern.
Dr. Bryn Meredith is a pediatrician with CHI Memorial Pediatric Diagnostic Associates and a member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
Dr. Bryn Meredith