Solid food introduction to infants:
Solid food introduced too early can risk aspiration or other problems due to poor ability to chew or have good head control. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children start eating solid foods when they are between 4 to 6 months of age. The importance of this was stressed in a case study. An 8-month-old infant who refused solid foods revealed the infant to be vitamin B12 deficient. After receiving vitamin B12 via other routes besides the mouth, the infant’s health improved and solid foods were introduced successfully. Researchers suggest refusal of solid foods could be used as an early sign of insufficient vitamin B12 levels in breastfed infants. (19)