Solids

(CBS) In the battle of breast versus bottle, it seems breast has won again.

That's the conclusion of new research from Children's Hospital Boston which finds that babies who are formula fed have a much higher risk of obesity if parents give them solid foods before four months. Breastfed kids can jump on the solids bandwagon whenever mommy feels it's right, as long as they breastfeed at least four months.

Scientists tracked 850 babies from birth to three years old, according to Reuters Health. Formula fed babies who started eating solids before four months had a one in four chance of being obese by their third birthday. If parents waited until after four or five months to introduce solids, the chances of being obese were one in 20.

For babies breastfed at least four months, parents could introduce solids whenever they wanted without any ill effect.

It's important research, because up to one third of American children are now overweight and 17 percent are obese, putting them at risk for heart disease, diabetes and a host of other health problems down the line.


This article was taken from here Thank you CBS



I was wondering about this as I have a 18lb 11oz son at 4.5 months, and I felt like he was ready for some solids, so i'm super glad that they came out with this saying it was okay for breastfed babies. I don't want to put him at a disadvantage to obesity, I want to to everything right from the start to feed my son healthy options. I started rice cereal at about 3.5 months. REMEMBER not to put the cereal in a bottle as that starts bad eating habits you always need to spoon feed solids.

How early did you being your breastfed babies on solids?