I breastfed each of mine for over a year. Not exclusively, but they were all well over a year before they got milk.
With the first one, I started her on food on their schedule, at four months.
With the second, I tried food then and he did not like it at first. So I figured that in some cultures, since they strictly nurse for up to a full year, and they are still around, that I’d go longer. Once he could put the food in his mouth himself, he was good to go. He was about 9 months at that time.
With the third, I didn’t even try solids until about 9 months. It was just so much easier to nurse and I was busy enough with the other kids.
With numbers 2 & 3, I’d take them in for their well child check up and the doctor would tell me they were doing fine on food and recommended the next step for solids. I’d just nod and smile and say “OK”.
When the youngest was old enough to feed herself is when I started her.
I figured that the appearance of teeth and the ability of them to hit their mouth with food was the best indicator of when a baby should start solids. Not at four months the medical community suggests.
You are a wise and experienced lady.