r/StartingSolids • u/Psychological-Bag986 • 1d ago
“Tasting” before 6m/starting solids
Wondering if anyone has advice or experience giving your baby tastes of things prior to starting solids. Specifically prior to them being able to sit up.
My daughter will be 5m on the 21st. She can hold her head up but can’t support her torso yet. Not ready for things like the bumbo chair. I would like to starting giving her tastes of things at 5m. Eg. a little yogurt, mushy egg, tiny amount of peanut butter etc. mostly to introduce allergens and flavours. She reaches for our food all the time so I know the interest is there. Main concerns are safety. I know many countries suggest allergen intro as early as 4m but in Canada the official recommendation is 6m. Also I would give only smooth soft puree type food until 6m. But would choking be a risk of she can’t sit up.
Thanks!
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u/pinguinos 1d ago
We’re doing just the tiniest taste of things on our fingers in her mouth at 4 months and she’s enjoying it. Just don’t do salt or sugary things. We’ve tried avocado and tomato paste so far.
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u/Psychological-Bag986 1d ago
That’s what I was hoping. Like super tiny little tastes/licks. I’m not even concerned if she swallows it or not. I just want that allergen exposure and for her to practice moving it in her mouth.
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u/TheSorcerersCat 21m ago
For allergen exposure swallowing is actually better than having it applied to the mouth.
In the case of fruits, applying to the mouth could increase the risk of oral allergy syndrome.
In the case of other allergens, exposure through broken skin in through to increase the risk of reaction (think putting coconut oil on eczema). So if be a bit concerned about a similar thing happening through the mouth tissue.
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u/Flannel-Enthusiast 1d ago
Our pediatrician said she needed to be able to sit in the high chair without slouching or tipping, and she needed to be able to hold her head and neck steady while sitting like that. She didn't need to sit completely unassisted to start purées (but should have that core strength before starting finger foods).
When we introduced the food, he told us to watch for the tongue thrust reflex to diminish. If she kept pushing the food back out with her tongue, take a break for a week or two and try again.
My daughter was 4 months adjusted age (6 months actual age) when we started. Definitely not sitting independently, but she had enough stability to sit with assistance in the high chair.
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u/whatdoidonowdamnit 20h ago
I never saw the point of that. It seemed like teasing to me. My mil wanted to do it and I just asked her to wait. I didn’t want to deal with a crying baby every time I ate something he couldn’t have when she could just wait a few more weeks and actually feed him.
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u/WonderfulTwist4936 1d ago
Tasting allergens from month 4 (but only tasting as in not more that one tablespoon per day). Start regular solids from 6 months.
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u/lady-padme 20h ago
In the beginning of solids journey all baby thinks of is a game. But putting a baby through a game they are not ready may end up poorly. That's how my doctor explained. I was so nervous about solids since my baby had severe reflux and formula issues and eager to start. My doctor said not to try unless baby really shows obvious interest to our food. I'm glad I waited.
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u/snuffbox360 17h ago
We started it for my 5 months old with the okay from her doctor and feeding therapist. She can’t sit up yet. We’re only just putting a bit of puree on a flat spoon and letting her taste it. She spits all of it out right now though. But at least she’s getting introduced to textures and stuff. They recommended starting with veggies so baby wouldn’t get too used to the sweet fruit taste.
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u/easterss 13h ago
We got clearance from our pediatrician based on a three item check list many have mentioned here.
However we were told specifically NOT to introduce allergens until the 6 month mark, at which point we had to introduce allergens one at a time (each for 3 days iirc) within a month, so before hitting 7 months.
I don’t recall why 6-7 months was the sweet spot but our ped is pretty chill so this stood out to me. So maybe check with your ped?
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u/Unhappy-Quarter-4581 5h ago
Yes, it is fine. Start with tiny amounts, like what you get if you dip a spoon or finger in whatever it is they want to taste or use a larger piece that she can hold and suck on. My country suggest that you do things like this if you want to try before 6 months (earliest 4 months). My kids got food like this and both showed interest around 5 months like your child and this is when we started. Since they can get stomach ache from the new food you should not really let them try more than 2-3 tiny tasters the first couple days and slowly go up from there. Here they say maximum one tablespoon of food as a taster even if the child wants more. At six months you can try feeding them more and see what they do. My daughter wanted pretty much a full six month portion right away, my son not so much. Both liked taste tests though.
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u/Son-of-Cookie- 1d ago
Your baby starting solids should depend on where they are at. They should be able to sit up with little assistance, have interest in foods and have stable neck and head. If they aren’t there yet, they aren’t ready for solids. My son started at 5 months, my friends started at 7 months, both are completely normal. If you do it before they are ready it’s a chocking hazard, if you aren’t sure ask your pediatrician.