If Your Doctor Suggests Starting Solids Early

At a baby’s 4-month well-child visit, your pediatrician may bring up solid food—and they may even suggest that you start introducing purees. Is baby ready? Our pediatric pros offer feeding guidance to keep baby safe, growing, and happy.

4 Months vs. 6 Months: When to Start Solids

You will know baby is ready for solid food when they show all of the signs that they are developmentally capable. Every child is different, and some babies are ready a week or two earlier than the 6-month mark, while others need a bit more time. Your goal is to watch the readiness signs (not the calendar), and once baby is ready, follow the child’s lead. 

While there is not enough research to back up the idea that there are developmental advantages to starting solids before baby is ready, there are benefits when it comes to allergy prevention for babies at high risk of food allergy. For these babies, the early introduction of peanut, egg, and other common food allergens can help prevent allergies from developing later on. Learn more in our article, introducing allergens before 6 months . 

Why Some Pediatricians Recommend Starting Solids at 4 Months

Most families do not need to start solids before baby is developmentally ready, and for most babies this happens around 6 months of age. However, many myths continue to influence individual pediatric practices, and there are still doctors who may suggest for various reasons that you start solids with purees like rice cereal before baby is ready… even though the world’s major medical organizations advise starting when baby is ready “at or around 6 months of age.”

If baby shows none or some (but not all) signs, and your pediatrician is recommending that you get started, here are key questions to ask: 

Try to understand your doctor’s perspective, and make an informed decision based on your conversation and your child’s individual circumstances. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Written By

K. Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT. Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing Specialist

K. Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC. Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing Specialist

M. Suarez, MS, OTR/L, SWC, CLEC. Pediatric Feeding/Swallowing Specialist

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSP. Pediatric Dietitian/Nutritionist

R. Ruiz, MD, FAAP, CLC. Pediatric Gastroenterologist

S. Bajowala, MD, FAAAAI. Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist