Should I start my baby on solids at 4 or 6 months?

Since 2002, the World Health Organization and Health Canada have recommended that babies start solids around 6 months. It used to be between 4 to 6 months, and it’s taken a while for the 6-month thing to catch on with doctors and parents.

Up until a few months ago, I found most moms were waiting until 6 months to introduce their baby to solids, as recommended. The odd baby would still get the 4-month recommendation to start – generally from a doc that hadn’t caught up from years back.

But now that seems to be changing again!

Lately, I’ve been noticing a trend of starting solids earlier again. Like between 3-5 months. Usually, the mom will reference “new research about introducing allergens.” Or that the doctor recommended starting solids early, to prevent allergies. For all babies.

Is this true? Is starting solids before the recommended age of 6 months beneficial for your baby to prevent allergies?