Are teeth a sign of being ready for solids?

[lily28]

My son is 5 months old to the dot and last night both his bottom teeth showed and are scratchy. Is it a sign that he is ready for solids?

 

[Topaztulula]

No, no it is not. Some babies are born with teeth, I wouldn't give them solids from birth lol.

 

[MindUtopia]

Not really, babies can be born with teeth and some don't get them til 1 year. And I find my daughter, even though she has teeth, often uses her gums (and tongue) more her than her teeth to handle her food.

Things like being able to sit up unaided, losing the tongue thrust, and developing the motor skills to handle food are better predictors.

Congrats on the teeth though!

 

[susannah14]

No. Some babies are born with teeth. Some babies get their teeth at one month old. Some babies don't get their teeth until a year (I personally know two one year olds with no teeth).

It has nothing to do with readiness for solids. However, it probably does help with the whole chewing thing if you are BLW. They can chew with their gums but I imagine that teeth can only help.

How exciting that your LO is getting teeth!! I remember when my son got his first at 6 months, I felt like it was the HUGEST milestone. Now he has 10 teeth at 12 months.

 

[susannah14]

Things like being able to sit up unaided, losing the tongue thrust, and developing the motor skills to handle food are better predictors.

^^This.

Also the guidelines say to wait until 6 months, but I'm sure you've done your research.

 

[sophie22]

Thought it was 16 weeks to 6 months? That's what it says in the eating leaflet they give out anyway

 

[minties]

16 weeks? Who is handing out a leaflet with that on it? It's not even 4 months.

 

[lily28]

Sophie the guideline from pediatricians and the WHO is 6 months the least. And the primary food source of a baby up to 1 year old is milk, solids is mostly play/fun, not the primary nutrition.

Thanks ladies. I don't want to wean yet, I feel he has a lot to benefit from my milk, he doesn't use forefinger and thumb to pick things, and can't sit unassisted, that tells me he is not yet ready, but I hear all kinds of different things lol I have to see what other moms do too, as I'm a FTM.

My pediatrician is a BLW supporter and she told me I can give him a piece of fruit to play with and practice his grasp. He seems to enjoy this new game and likes the new tastes. But he certainly doesn't eat anything close to a meal. Maybe 5-10 grams of food ends up in his mouth? The rest is all over his face hands and clothes lol.

 

[lozzy21]

Niamh dident get any teeth until 10 months and by then was eating rice cakes

 

[melfy77]

I started solids when DD was 22 weeks or so...now she's 8 months and still waiting for the tooth fairy to stop by

 

[lily28]

^ lol!
I wish he waited a couple more months because his little teeth are razor sharp. He bit me a few times, now luckily he is over it!