> There are many posts in the archives from me about solids, so I won't
> repeat my views here, except to say that the research suggesting that there
> is a narrow window of opportunity for introducing solids which, if missed,
> will lead to eating problems later on, is based on a tiny tiny sample of
> mentally retarded children.  There has never been any research on this
> topic with developmentally normal children.

I think this believe is based upon a basicly correct observation of
developmental stepstones in children, but than narrowed into a rule.
Developmental stepstones in the scope of starting solids are teething, most
commonly starting around or in the months after the first half year of live
(with a wide range of variation); learning to sit upright with minor or without
help, somewhere in the third or fourth quarter, the slimming of the ''sucking
pads'' in the inner cheeks in the same time and (IMO the most important) the
increasing interest for other peoples' foods
Al these occur somewhere in the second half year of life, all with a wide range
of variation. And in making rules people tend to forget this variation-range.

Gonneke van Veldhuizen, IBCLC, living in Maaseik, Belgium
http://www.users.skynet.be/eurolac
[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html