Growth spurt

Found this article on growth spurt. Hmm... think that's what Raelynn is going through, all the signs are there. :P

Signs of a Growth Spurt
Cluster feeding, where the baby is feeding more often is the first sign. If your infant feeding schedule was a regular 3 hour schedule, and suddenly baby wants to eat more frequently, your baby is most likely going through a growth spurt and needs more food.

Baby may no longer sleep through the night if she was previously. Your baby may have finally started sleeping through the night, only to start waking again several times, seemingly ravenous for food.

Read more at http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/baby_growth_spurts as the article is copyrighted.

Which brings me to the next question: Is it time to start solids?

Signs that indicate baby is developmentally ready for solids include:
•Baby can sit up well without support.
•Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
•Baby is ready and willing to chew.
•Baby is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger. Using the fingers and scraping the food into the palm of the hand (palmar grasp) does not substitute for pincer grasp development.
•Baby is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth.

Active Weaning Signs
When a baby is ready to wean he or she will give clues in his or her behaviour. A baby who is ready to try solid foods will often express an interest in what others are eating. Infants may reach for foods on their parents' plates and will often mimic the chewing motion made by those around them as they practise and prepare for the next nutritional stage.

Increased Appetite and the Decision to Wean
Infants aged between four and six months often display an increase in appetite, appearing less satisfied after their usual milk feeds and sometimes beginning to wake again at night after previously sleeping through. As the advice is to delay weaning until after the six-month mark, parents are advised to offer supplementary milk feeds in the first instance, as increased appetite could be the result of a temporary growth spurt rather than an indicator of readiness to wean. If in doubt parents should consult their healthcare provider to discuss weaning options.

Apparently, it's a good idea to delay introducing solids if unsure cos of the various reasons. http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

Hmm... Time to find a spoon and try and see if her tongue thrust reflex is still there. :P

P.S. Tried it today (5 June) and her tongue still thrusts out. Guess she's not ready after all. :P