You've heard that the American Academy of Pediatrics says 4 to 6 months is the optimal age to start solids. But your 3-month-old is cranky and hard to soothe, and your mother-in-law insists he must be starving. Some reasons to hold the rice cereal for now:

* Starting cereal before 4 months (or after 7 months) may put your baby at a higher risk for Type 1 diabetes.

* Your baby's odds of developing eczema and allergies may be higher if you offer solids before 6 months, particularly if there is a family history of allergies.

* At this age, he still pushes his tongue forward when he swallows, which can make solid-food feedings a frustrating experience for both of you.

* You are more likely to overfeed solids than liquids. A newborn has few ways of communicating, and it's easier to read his signals at the breast or bottle.

* Giving him solid foods now will decrease the amount of breast milk or formula he drinks, which could leave him shortchanged on nutrition.

* No matter what Grandma says, solids won't help him sleep through the night.

CLOSE PRINT

Too Soon for Solids By Anita Sethi, Ph.D., Babytalk You've heard that the American Academy of Pediatrics says 4 to 6 months is the optimal age to start solids. But your 3-month-old is cranky and hard to soothe, and your mother-in-law insists he must be starving. Some reasons to hold the rice cereal for now: * Starting cereal before 4 months (or after 7 months) may put your baby at a higher risk for Type 1 diabetes. * Your baby's odds of developing eczema and allergies may be higher if you offer solids before 6 months, particularly if there is a family history of allergies. * At this age, he still pushes his tongue forward when he swallows, which can make solid-food feedings a frustrating experience for both of you. * You are more likely to overfeed solids than liquids. A newborn has few ways of communicating, and it's easier to read his signals at the breast or bottle. * Giving him solid foods now will decrease the amount of breast milk or formula he drinks, which could leave him shortchanged on nutrition. * No matter what Grandma says, solids won't help him sleep through the night.