I have a close friend and respected colleague who battle with pediatricians
over each of her five children.  Incidentally her father is a pediatrician
and her mother a pediatric nurse practitioner who supported her 100%.  She
gave solids to her children when they could pick them up and put them in
their own mouths.  She figured that the ability to do this signified
sufficient motor development and desire.  She'd just plop applesauce, soft
vegies, etc. in front of them and let them at it.

She'd taught with me and I admired her straighforward approach to children
and parenting.  Even with breastfeeding, years ago when I would get all
caught up on teaching # of  feeds per 24 hours and all sorts of "rules" about
breastfeeding, she would tug on my sleeve, look me square in the eye and say,
 "Pat, what did the cave women do?"  Although this was stretching the point a
bit, it always hit home.  I've learned to look at the needs of the mom and
baby more and less at the "rules".

Pat Predmore, RN, BSN, ICCE