[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier;6480655[B

]The gut only fully matures somewhere between 4.5 and 6 months (so some ARE ready earlier than others, 6 months is playing it safe, as it's when it's safe for nearly all babies).[/B] Introducing solids before the gut is fully matured increases the risk of food allergies and IBS in later life.

It all links in with breastfeeding, really... many formula fed babies are hungry at 4 months, because formula is not as nutritionally complete as breast milk. Most breastfed babies start showing interest in food at around 5 months or just after... it's safe to start introducing little things then IF they are showing genuine interest - i.e. they reach for food and try to put it in their mouth. Babies have a lot of instinct, and the physical act of trying to eat is as good an indicator as any that they're ready to eat.

The problem comes when parents actively spoon-feed a baby who ISN'T showing an active interest in food, taking grumbling / crying as the indication of hunger. Some start at 3 months or under. Frankly, they're more or less guaranteeing low-level gut damage at that age.

This is very recent advice, 4 months was the age to introduce solids when mine were babies, no doubt the 6 months thing will alter again given time.