Regarding the discussion about when to introduce solids, I thought some of you may be interested in a paper by Kim Baird called "Exclusive Breastfeeding Beyond Six Months". This is a review of the literature and was written as part of the "Topics in Breastfeeding" series for the Lactation Resource Centre at NMAA. This one is part of Set VII, December 1995. Copies of these can be ordered from the LRC, c/o NMAA in Australia. (Philippa Thomson <[log in to unmask]> could give you all the details, I'm sure.) In one part, Kim has an interesting table showing the recommended age for introduction of solids by Australian doctors. This shows 12 months in 1919, 9 months in 1921, 6-7 months in 1927, 5-7 months in 1934, 4-6 months in 1943, 3-4 months in 1959, late 2nd or 3rd month in 1962, 3 months in 1972 (with many starting at as early as 3 weeks), and 4-6 months in 1985 onwards. Quite a variation, eh? She goes on to review literature concerning the adequacy of breastmilk alone past 6 months, including the issue of iron. The general consensus was that infants don't require iron supplementation by six months, but some may become iron deficient in second six months. It is suggested that too early introduction of solids can lead to iron deficiency. Many studies cited, and the case histories given, found exclusive breastfeeding beyond 6 months resulted in perfectly healthy children, and the general message in the paper is that there should not be a prescriptive tone about introducing solids - rather monitor baby and be flexible and allow baby to develop at his own pace, as we do with other aspects of his development. ie no hard and fast rules about the "right age" for introducing solids. The age thing is so entrenched in our culture (as it is in USA I assume) that the mothers in the case studies were made to feel inadequate by health professionals and family members for "failing" to get their babies to eat solids at the "right" age. For those of you needing references for pediatricians, other doctors, etc who insist on solids at a particular age, this paper and its bibliography would be a good starting point. Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor Perth, Western Australia [log in to unmask]