Starting solids?

My baby will be 6 months next Sunday, he sits unaided, has good coordination and I’ve tried a a little spoon of banana and he can swallow. He really wants to eat and when I gave the banana he was so excited when eating it and grabbed my hand to have some more. But asking chat gpt, it still says to wait exactly at 6 months. What should I do? Does 12 days really make a difference?

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It’s about gut readiness but I don’t believe bang on the day they turn 6 months their gut is ready - rather a guide because most children will hit the signs around that age.

Can baby pick the food up, bring it to their mouth and eat in a semi co-ordinated fashion? That’s also a sign of readiness that you don’t mention.

Starting a week or so later will never do harm but starting too early can x

My little one is also 6 months next Sunday. We started weaning last week. We are doing baby led so she is discovering food and feeding herself. Tbh she isn't swallowing much if anything but at this age food is about discovery and fun. Learning to move food around their mouth and what difference tastes and textures are like. If it all comes out, it all comes out. He'll learn at his own pace. We have been doing the allergens such as peanut butter on toast (she sucked the peanut butter off and loved it) egg, etc. Dont put too much pressure on how much LO swallows and focus on the excitement and fun of it.

Just remember you are his mum and you will know if he is ready or not. 6months is generic for all babies some learn faster some learn slower its when you feel comfortable.

I'm well aware which is why it was one of the first allergens we introduced since weaning. The younger you introduced the less likely they are to develop an intolerance. Bread and peanuts were introduced separately and safely. I'd also like to add we made sure the peanut butter didn't have any traces of honey.

It’s just guidelines imo if your little one is showing signs they are ready to eat (and strong enough to do so) go for it my first born started solids at 4 months (private dr advised this due to some issues) and my 5 month old has started, she was showing signs for about 2 weeks before hand was just waiting on her high chair

Thank you for your advice everyone, he is definitely ready and has been for a while now it was just waiting until 6 months for me, I feel a bit better about starting now. I cannot say about food but he does do it with objects such as toys, but when I was eating a banana yesterday, he literally grabbed my hand and tried to eat the banana, or when I’m having a drink he wants it too. Xx

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