Curious - what age do they recommend solids in other European coubtries, US, Oz, NZ

[Tapster]

Really curious about when people are advised to give solids in other developed countries?

[katieANDsmiler]

Ha ha, I've just used this on another thread as it happens so here you go ...

"The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):

World Health Organization
UNICEF
US Department of Health & Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada

Most babies will become developmentally and physiologically ready to eat solids by 6-9 months of age. For some babies, delaying solids longer than six months can be a good thing; for example, some doctors may recommend delaying solids for 12 months if there is a family history of allergies."


Obv WHO covers the World, but you've also got the USA, Australia & Canda recommending 6mths +

[Tapster]

Just read only 5% of women in Australia do not introduce solids until 6+ months - so want to know from people that are living in those countries for the real facts.

Presume that as the US medics saying no tv until a child is 2 that you are doing that too?

[katieANDsmiler]

You asked a question, and I posted a reply containing information that I have found. I didn't ask you to follow it, I merely posted a reply. Was there really any need to jump on me?

I'm sure you'd also find that a large percentage wean before 6mths in the UK but that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do does it?

[katieANDsmiler]

Plus you asked about when people are "advised" to give solids, not when they actually do.

[berolina]

The guidelines in Germany are 6 months, but the situation is pretty much like the UK really - many parents start before 6 months, not least because of the freebies and letters and magazines and 'nutrition charts' hanging in supermarket aisles from baby food companies, which imply that a baby needs that first carrot puree for lunch from 4 months on the dot...

[SenoraPostrophe]

advice is 6 months in Spain, but everyone ignores it.

they also tell you to start with oranges though.

[Piffle]

In Nz 12.5 yrs ago it was 6 mths
Not sure what it is now as I'm in the Uk this time.
But I know when the docs knew ds was not eating much beyond my toast crusts at 8 mths they were still pretty unconcerned.
Way different to over here, but it was a long time ago, maybe they've changed over there too.

[AitchTwoOh]

tapster, that was a bit impolite to katieAndSmiler, don't you think? she was merely trying to help answer your question. or is it justification for having weaned early that you're looking for rather than solid medical advice?

[Tapster]

Actually haven't started weaning at all yet. I'm not one to follow guidelines blindly like to know the facts. Just fed up with the lack of solid evidence (pun intended) - read WHO report empirical evidence weak, they even admit so. Not the first time a report using flimsy data gets bandied around as fact.

[KathyMCMLXXII]

I wonder if any other countries have local guidelines that differ from WHO, as we used to have here before they were recently brought into line. I rather think not but can't remember where I heard this.

[Ivor]

DS's pediatrian told me to start him on solids at 4 months, he's doing fine.
Depends on family history and what your doctor thinks.
If the baby is'nt ready for solids I think they have a way of letting you know.

[AitchTwoOh]

well then if you haven't even started weaning I can't think for the life of me why you would have been so abrupt to someone who had the good grace to respond to to your question.

[ScottishThistle]

Why are you so concerned what they do in other countries?

When I worked in Milan the children had biscuits in their milk for breakfast!

I'm sure you'll find the average age for weaning is around 4.5mths though all children are ready at a different time no matter what Country they live in as with everything else.

[Chandra]

I really don't know because all advise from my country and DHs I get is from people from my mum's generation, so things should have changed quite a lot.

[lemonaid]

If you meant "when do people actually typically wean in other developed countries" then why did you ask about when people were advised to give solids in those countries?

Conversely if you were indeed, as you said, "really curious" about what those countries' recommendations/advice was, why did you get snarky when katie told you?

[very confused emoticon]

[tiktok]

Tapster, what facts are you after, and which solid evidence are you looking for?

I think in the middle of your oddly chippy responses is the idea that official guidance may differ from actual practice, and of course that's true. There are many reasons why babies may be offered solids before six months; even when mothers are given the information about current guidance, they may ignore it. Solids before 6 months is fairly well-entrenched in the UK, at least, and getting people to do something different can be a challenge.

But that doesn't mean the guidance is based on flimsy data.

There is really no evidence that in general giving breastmilk only to 6 months results in any nutritional or growth deficit in otherwise healthy, normal babies. On the contrary, there are a number of studies that show positive benefits.

You are never gonna get a randomised double-blind controlled study for this, though