When did you first introduce solids to your baby? ie-rice cereal
- Thread starter Fit_mommy
- Start date
DD began solids at 6 months, but she was never a big eater. At 3 1/2 months DS was, as Maggie described, chewing with us when we ate and reaching for food. I started him at 4 months. I watched them for the chewing imitation, the ability to move food to the back of the mouth, and interest in food. Of course, I had people telling me at one month to add rice cereal to their bottles, which was impossible to do with my breasts. 
I have my infant health record, and the pediatrician's instructions at one month... add rice cereal. Funny how things change.
I have my infant health record, and the pediatrician's instructions at one month... add rice cereal. Funny how things change.......withing the first 2 weeks so he could sleep through the night. That first month, he gained weight and looked like a cute little porker. Mind you, it was only 1 to 2 teaspoons. It worked. Oh, and you could mash some potato, malanga, yuca and add it to the bottle. A little bit. (I have 3 children and they are all alive and well and slim!)}(
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Fit_mommy
Cathlete
RE: When did you first introduce solids to your baby? i...
Joey is going to be 4 months old in 5 days...I gave him his first taste of rice cereal in his bottle yesterday. 1/2 a teaspoon. Same today. At one feeding only. My pediatrician says wait until 4 months...so I did...well, I cheated A LITTLE BIT! lol He's a hungry baby though! Up to 8 ounces of formula now and drinks it down like it's nothin'! He goes to the pediatrician next week...I'm gonna act like I haven't done this yet...lord knows I don't feel like being lectured for giving my baby something that my mom gave me at a couple months old at the latest!!! I could understand if there's a history of allergies like one poster mentioned...but if not, I don't see the point in waiting so long! DH wanted to put him on cereal at 2 months old!!!
Joey is going to be 4 months old in 5 days...I gave him his first taste of rice cereal in his bottle yesterday. 1/2 a teaspoon. Same today. At one feeding only. My pediatrician says wait until 4 months...so I did...well, I cheated A LITTLE BIT! lol He's a hungry baby though! Up to 8 ounces of formula now and drinks it down like it's nothin'! He goes to the pediatrician next week...I'm gonna act like I haven't done this yet...lord knows I don't feel like being lectured for giving my baby something that my mom gave me at a couple months old at the latest!!! I could understand if there's a history of allergies like one poster mentioned...but if not, I don't see the point in waiting so long! DH wanted to put him on cereal at 2 months old!!!
RE: When did you first introduce solids to your baby? i...
Wendy,
I have read three reasons the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends waiting 1) babies have a tongue thrust reflex that results in them spitting food out, this reflex diappears around 4 months 2) adding solids earlier reduces the intake of breast milk or formula which is what babies need most 3) the digestive system has not matured and solids can cause an upset stomach, allergies, and difficulty sleeping. Most "experts" do not encourage adding solids to the bottle. Babies should learn to eat from utensils or using their fingers.
The AAP disputes the claim that solids in the bottle helps babies sleep through the night, but I have heard many moms say this was a lifesaver for them. I also have heard experts make the point that babies should not sleep all night, because they NEED to eat more frequently to get the appropriate nutrients and calories. Babies don't need to sleep "X" number of solid hours (I the sleeping through the night benefits parents more than baby, but they do need the proper nutrition through more frequent feedings.
How did the human race ever survive?? My mom told me how babies used to be fed milk with Karo syrup. I realize this is not optimal nutrition and am not advocating this or anything contrary to our currenct knowledge, but I just find "expert" opinion amusing sometimes.
Wendy,
I have read three reasons the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends waiting 1) babies have a tongue thrust reflex that results in them spitting food out, this reflex diappears around 4 months 2) adding solids earlier reduces the intake of breast milk or formula which is what babies need most 3) the digestive system has not matured and solids can cause an upset stomach, allergies, and difficulty sleeping. Most "experts" do not encourage adding solids to the bottle. Babies should learn to eat from utensils or using their fingers.
The AAP disputes the claim that solids in the bottle helps babies sleep through the night, but I have heard many moms say this was a lifesaver for them. I also have heard experts make the point that babies should not sleep all night, because they NEED to eat more frequently to get the appropriate nutrients and calories. Babies don't need to sleep "X" number of solid hours (I the sleeping through the night benefits parents more than baby
, but they do need the proper nutrition through more frequent feedings. How did the human race ever survive??
My mom told me how babies used to be fed milk with Karo syrup. I realize this is not optimal nutrition and am not advocating this or anything contrary to our currenct knowledge, but I just find "expert" opinion amusing sometimes.
Fit_mommy
Cathlete
RE: When did you first introduce solids to your baby? i...
Hi Autumn. I got the official go-ahead from the doc on wednesday to begin cereal 2x a day. He gets 2 teaspoons of cereal every morning and evening plus his bottle. I am now spoon feeding him the cereal and it's so cute to watch him try to figure out what to do with it once it's in his mouth! :+
Hi Autumn. I got the official go-ahead from the doc on wednesday to begin cereal 2x a day. He gets 2 teaspoons of cereal every morning and evening plus his bottle. I am now spoon feeding him the cereal and it's so cute to watch him try to figure out what to do with it once it's in his mouth! :+
RE: When did you first introduce solids to your baby? i...
Isn't it fun watching them try solids? I have some pics of Sydney and Jordan on my picturetrail trying solids. Sydney pushed food out of her mouth until like 8 mos. Jordan is another story... it all goes in with the exception of Lasagna with Meat sauce. After we made it through the cereal, I couldn't decide veggies or fruits. One theory is to start with veggies so baby will develop a taste for them before introducing sweets. Another theory is to begin with fruits to make the transition easier from breastmil/formula, which are sweet. So many opionions to feed a baby! Shouldn't it be easier? With Sydney, I went with veggies, but she was always so picky until she started eating real foods. Oh and she loved egg whites. I started Jordan on fruits first, and he likes it all except the lasagna and egg whites. Oh, and he isn't crazy about green beans uless I process some that I have cooked with ham seasoning. So funny! Enjoy every moment Wendy!
Isn't it fun watching them try solids? I have some pics of Sydney and Jordan on my picturetrail trying solids. Sydney pushed food out of her mouth until like 8 mos. Jordan is another story... it all goes in with the exception of Lasagna with Meat sauce.
After we made it through the cereal, I couldn't decide veggies or fruits. One theory is to start with veggies so baby will develop a taste for them before introducing sweets. Another theory is to begin with fruits to make the transition easier from breastmil/formula, which are sweet. So many opionions to feed a baby! Shouldn't it be easier? With Sydney, I went with veggies, but she was always so picky until she started eating real foods. Oh and she loved egg whites. I started Jordan on fruits first, and he likes it all except the lasagna and egg whites. Oh, and he isn't crazy about green beans uless I process some that I have cooked with ham seasoning. So funny! Enjoy every moment Wendy!RE: When did you first introduce solids to your baby? i...
Well, I voted, but I started all four of my children at different times!
DS #1 was eating cereal from a spoon at 4 months (started him at 3 months) like a pro. He loved it and caught on to the spoon right away. He was a very hungry baby, though and I thought he needed more than just my breast milk.
DS #2 was totally content on formula and I didn't see the need to start him until he was 6 months old. He caught on right away and did great.
DS's # 3 and 4,(twins) the doctor pressured me to start at 4 months but they weren't ready at all (mostly breast but some formula). I was so mad (at the ped. for the pressure). They weren't ready but my ped. told me to start, so against my better judgement, I did. I started them at 4 months but after about a week of frustration gave up until they were 6 months old. They took to it perfectly.
My advice is, try it when YOU think they are ready. If the child doesn't "get" it after a few tries, wait a week, then try again.
Well, I voted, but I started all four of my children at different times!
DS #1 was eating cereal from a spoon at 4 months (started him at 3 months) like a pro. He loved it and caught on to the spoon right away. He was a very hungry baby, though and I thought he needed more than just my breast milk.
DS #2 was totally content on formula and I didn't see the need to start him until he was 6 months old. He caught on right away and did great.
DS's # 3 and 4,(twins) the doctor pressured me to start at 4 months but they weren't ready at all (mostly breast but some formula). I was so mad (at the ped. for the pressure). They weren't ready but my ped. told me to start, so against my better judgement, I did. I started them at 4 months but after about a week of frustration gave up until they were 6 months old. They took to it perfectly.
My advice is, try it when YOU think they are ready. If the child doesn't "get" it after a few tries, wait a week, then try again.
RE: When did you first introduce solids to your baby? i...
<My advice is, try it when YOU think they are ready. If the child doesn't "get" it after a few tries, wait a week, then try again.>
I completely agree!!! I don't understand why peds/docs don't provide the general guidelines and instruct a mom (especially new moms) on what to watch for to indicate baby is ready for solids. Many of the parenting mags discuss it but not every new mom has the opportunity to read a magazine. I accept that most babies have immature digestive systems until about 4 months, but there are most likely babies ready at 3 mos and others later. You watched your baby and followed baby's cue. I would just caution moms to make certain it is BABY that is ready and not MOM (parents, etc.). It is my experience that some parents push solids for their conveniece and not what is truly best for baby.
<after about a week of frustration gave up until they were 6 months old. They took to it perfectly.>
Wouldn't it be better to give general guidelines? I don't blame you for getting frustrated.
As with food, my advice for potty training is to take cues from your child too. I observed for cues from Sydney but was pressured from family and some freinds to potty train. There was one period that I tried to push it, but it just led to frustration for Sydney and me. I decided to wait until she was ready, and when she was ready it took a couple of days. It was SOOOOOO EASY!!
<My advice is, try it when YOU think they are ready. If the child doesn't "get" it after a few tries, wait a week, then try again.>
I completely agree!!! I don't understand why peds/docs don't provide the general guidelines and instruct a mom (especially new moms) on what to watch for to indicate baby is ready for solids. Many of the parenting mags discuss it but not every new mom has the opportunity to read a magazine. I accept that most babies have immature digestive systems until about 4 months, but there are most likely babies ready at 3 mos and others later. You watched your baby and followed baby's cue. I would just caution moms to make certain it is BABY that is ready and not MOM (parents, etc.). It is my experience that some parents push solids for their conveniece and not what is truly best for baby.
<after about a week of frustration gave up until they were 6 months old. They took to it perfectly.>
Wouldn't it be better to give general guidelines? I don't blame you for getting frustrated.
As with food, my advice for potty training is to take cues from your child too. I observed for cues from Sydney but was pressured from family and some freinds to potty train. There was one period that I tried to push it, but it just led to frustration for Sydney and me. I decided to wait until she was ready, and when she was ready it took a couple of days. It was SOOOOOO EASY!!