Curriculum · Pediatric / Nutrition & Growth / EPI / Routine Child Examination
Timing of introduction of allergenic solid foods
What it is
Weaning is the introduction of nonmilk foods, called beikost, meaning infant foods other than milk, into the infant's diet. It is recommended that this be delayed until the age of 4 to 6 months, and the age generally recommended for introducing beikost is about 6 months. The push to begin earlier is real: at a 4-month well child visit a mother may hear from the grandmother that solid food should have been started at 2 months of age.
Causes and risk
Two reasons are given for not beginning earlier. Pancreatic enzymes such as amylase and lipase are low early in life. The most compelling reason, though, is developmental readiness: the disappearance of tongue thrust, the extrusor reflex, the acquisition of head control, and the ability to sit with support.