'Solid Foods'

Suzanne - posted on 01/17/2009

Megan - I really appreciate your post. I think the decision of what to to feed our babies (and anything to do with our babies for that matter) should be based on the opinions of those that have actually seen our children. If I tried to follow every piece of advice out there my baby would be a mess! =) We all just have to use our best judgement about whose advice to follow whether it be the pediatrician's or our neighboor's that has raised 7 healthy children. I personally choose to do my own  research, listen to my pediatricion, talk to my friends & family & Circle of Moms =), and then make my own determination about how I feel it's best to proceed for my child. I respect mothers who do things by-the-book, and those that stray a little. Babies are all different and I believe that their mommys know best.

Megan - posted on 01/17/2009

Every baby is different and saying you should wait until 6 months is only an average guide to go by. We started Nadia on rice cereal at 2 months because she was eating and eating and never seemed satisfied. She also did not have the reflex anymore to push the food out and was holding her head up perfectly. She loved the rice cereal and then after 2 months we moved onto Oat cereal. She loved that as well. They say to start it out really runny but she did not like that at all. She preferes the thicker cereal. Then at 4.5 months we started her on peas and carrots. She gets half a jar, twice a day. The carrots we have to mix with cereal because they are a bit bitter, but the peas she really loves. We also started her on wheat and fruit cereal which she also really likes.

Doctors say that it CAN increase allergies in babies feeding them before 6 months of age IF there is food allergies in your family. Neither myself or my fiancee or anyone in our families have food allergies. There is also not enough scientific evidence out there suggesting that feeding a baby solids before 6 months causes food allergies.

I often wonder how our parents and their parents and so on, raised children without the intrusiveness of know-it-all Doctors trying to tell them how to raise their own child. it is just something to think about and take into account when it comes to your own child.

I am a first time mom and I am going to feed Nadia what she wants when SHE is ready not when a Doctor tells me that she is ready based on a chart of so-called averages.

Heather - posted on 01/17/2009

yes we started the cereal at 4 months and he has had green beans, sweet peas, sweat potatoes, squash, and carrots so far.  :) in a couple of days he will start his fruits.  He doesnt liek green beans at all and he is iffy about squash.  But we give him 24 oz of breast milk, 4 oz of juice mixed with 4 oz of water, cereal and a veggie.  After he is done with 2 more days of squash i was going to just add fruit to the day so he will get into a routine of eating 3 meals a day. 

Katie - posted on 01/15/2009

Hi Suzanne, i started 4 different tastes at 4 months. rice, apple, carrot, pear nd potato.  Just give them tastes for the first couple of weeks of each.  I found that the book by tizzie Hall "save our sleep was the bible.  Charlize is almost 6 months and she is loving heaps of stuff now.

Melody - posted on 01/15/2009

Sorry- I forgot to add the link with the article!

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/early-s...

Melody - posted on 01/15/2009

I had never heard of "open gut" before so I looked it up and found a really interesting article about the history of baby nutrition and why it's recommended to wait until 6 months to introduce solids. I can understand why early introduction of wheat could lead to celiac disease, but I'm not sure I understand how fruits and veggies could cause it. That being said, my ped recommend we start rice cereal at 4 mos (which we did) and since then he's had avocado and banana. He's about 18 pounds at 5.5 mos and LOVES his afternoon snack! I may start infant oatmeal next, then after 6 mos introduce some of the orange veggies.

Ashley - posted on 01/15/2009

I took my daughter Riley to her doctor today and she told me not to feed her cereal (I have been since Christmas) until she can eat off a spoon. I had been feeding it to her in a bottle. She also told us not to feed her solids until 6 months because they can develope food allergies.

Stephanie - posted on 01/15/2009

Quoting Kerri:

sugar and butter??? Oh my...I need to stop reading this thread!!!

OMG Kerri I totally agree. And we wonder why Americans are so unhealthy.  There is a reason the WHO ( world heath organization) reccomends Bfing until 2yrs and waiting on solids until 6 months.  What a HORRIBLE, AWFUL thing to do!  Feeding sugar to an infant.  I actually gasped out loud.  Aside from the health risks, your child would have eaten the baby food just fine with out sugar in it.  They don't know any difference.  If you want to sweeten it up, add a fruit to it for cryin out loud.  Try to help your child grow up healthy.  

How about smoothies instead of that?  And solid pieces of food, waaay not a good idea at this point.  

http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/rea...   Cmon ladies, lets do some reasearch before we ruin out childrens digestive system. 

Amanda - posted on 01/15/2009

We started solids 3 weeks ago, cereal and vegtables.  We plan on starting fruits at 5 months.  Their faces are funny but they do like having something other than just formula!

Bethany - posted on 01/15/2009

i made sure to introduce all his veggies first and without anything in them, I do not add anything to his fruits or veggies just his rice cereal, and I dont put much in there just enough to make it not so bland. other wise his pitches

Loni - posted on 01/15/2009

Brayden was 14lbs 12oz and 26" long at his 4 month shots and the doctor said that he was pretty thin plus he was starting to feed every 4 hours 8oz, so we started solids at the beginning of the year. 3 or 4 tbsp of rice cereal with 4oz of formula in the afternoon after his first two 8oz bottles in the morning and then a night one of 8oz and 2tsp of rice cereal in it. I think I will start him on other types of cereal like wheat and oat within the next month and get into 2 solid feedings a day but he won't get any actual foods until he's 6 months..

Bethany, you might want to hold back on the sugars, babies tend to reject vegetables if they are started on sweets and fruits first... there was a study on the news a little while ago saying that this introduction of sweet things first could be a serious reason why kids are rejecting ealthy foods and are overweight later in life!

Bethany - posted on 01/15/2009

its just a baby spoon full and it makes a sweeter to their taste buds and helps them eat it more

Kerri - posted on 01/15/2009

sugar and butter??? Oh my...I need to stop reading this thread!!!

Bethany - posted on 01/15/2009

My son Started solids at 3m 3wks old, and is now eating 3 times a day he is eating rice cereal with some brown sugar, and then a veg and fruit for lunch and dinner, he has a healthy appitite. If he makes sour faces try adding some butter to his veggies it might help with the taste

Camille - posted on 01/15/2009

My daughter eats #1 and #2 foods twice a day. Sometimes I'll break cheerios in 1/2 and she'll gum on a few of those. She usually finishes a whole #2 size jar at each sitting. Then she breastfeeds the rest of the day...every 2-5 hours.
My daughter is pretty big (22 lbs 12 oz and 27.5" at 4 months) so the pedi told us to start her on solids at 3 1/2 months. She doesn't like cereal or meat unless they are mixed with other flavors. That why we use the #2.

Michelle - posted on 01/14/2009

Yep, my little guy is 21 weeks and has had sweet potatos, squash and today carrots. He doesn't eat much of it but is getting the general idea at least. I guess they hate peas and that's on my list next! Good luck!

Emily - posted on 01/14/2009

I started Carson on rice cereal at 3 1/2 months once a day. He was never satisfied with just the formula. At four months we started giving him cereal twice a day. At 4 1/2 months we gave him some apple sauce and continued with orange vegetables. He loves sweet potatos and carrots. He is not a fan of beans or peas at all. We are going to try them again in a few weeks. Next we are going to try squash and then move onto more fruits such as bananas and pears. He was drinking almost 40 ounces of formula so that is why we started him so early on solids. Even with the solids twice a day he is still drinking 32 ounces of formula a day. He is one hungry boy!

Kirsten - posted on 01/14/2009

I'm surprised so many of you have been feeding your babies solids for so long, too! The health nurses here (BC) are so adamant not to start until 6 months...Haidyn is very interested in our food and love to prentend with a spoon but I'm going to wait another wek or so.

Stephanie - posted on 01/14/2009

There are no pediatritions who should reccomend starting solids at 3 months.  No matter what signs they are showing, their body is not developed enough to deal with it, and that is a really bad idea.  Plus it will really mess with your supply if you are breastfeeding.  Obv.  those who have, it is in the past, but I don't want others to see these posts and think it is ok.  

And honestly, waiting isn't going to starve a child.  ALL they need the first 6 months is breastmilk or formula.  Your body will adjust to your childs needs- that is why during growth spurts they nurse more- they are stimulating your body to produce more milk.  We didn't start our first on solids until she was 7 months old. 

Charissa - posted on 01/14/2009

Taylor started with rice cereal at 3 months and at 4 months we started fruits and veggies (no green veggies). She has been doing wonderful on the food and LOVES everything, especially carrots and bananas. It is amazing how many different pedicatricians opinions differ. I think it is wise to listen to your pediatrician though.

KaiLee - posted on 01/14/2009

We started Endrew on solids at 4 months.  We started with rice cereal and the green veggies after two weeks.  He is now eating all veggies and has started bananas and apples.  We put rice cereal in his bottle at night.  He is now sleeping 10 hours a night.  I think that llistening to your doctor is best.  Every baby is different.  Endrew is a big baby so he eats more.

Kerri - posted on 01/14/2009

I think the problem is we are given milestones for our infants to reach to give them solid foods when in fact this has nothing to do with whether or not your childs tummy is developed enough for solids. It doesn't matter if your baby is walking at 3 months...if his/her tummy isn't developed (open gut) it can cause Chrones disease or Celiac disease and others. Babies don't starve to death at 3 months if they are drinking breast milk or formula...they just may need more. Like I said...to each his own but personally I would rather wait than cause my child to have a problem with her tummy. I think most Mom's, not all, but most Mom's feed their babies because they are excited to do so...not because the baby is in need of solids. Sorry, I in no way want to offend anyone, just giving my opinion.

Suzanne - posted on 01/14/2009

Wow...this has sparked somewhat of a debate. That's good though...it's important to hear all opinions.

Stephanie said that you should wait for specific milestones before starting solids (to quote):

"Baby is double birth weight.  Little to NO tongue thrust ( so if they are spitting it all out, bad), able to hold their head up for a decent period of time.  Not just because they are watching you eat.  Though I know that is cute ;) "

Aiden was born weighing 9lbs, 2oz and is now just about 20 lbs. Plus he has all the other signs you mentioned...and has had them since he was 3 months old. I gave him some rice cereal then (which he ate heartily), but then decided I had better ask the Pediatrician if I should start now or wait. She said to wait until his 4 month appointment so she could check him out. At that point she said he is showing all of the signs and is totally ready. She also said to go ahead and start him on veggies after 2 weeks of rice cereal. I feel confident in her decision because she has actually seen and treated my child. There is SO MUCH advice out there...and it never stops...even for adults if you ever watch the news! One day one thing will help you live a long life and another day the same thing causes cancer. As new moms all we can do is trust our instincts and our Pediatricians. If we don't trust our Pediatricians then we need to find different doctors.  I feel confident in how I am feeding Aiden. The only reason I posted this thread was because I had always heard solid foods start at 6 months too, so I was just curious if others with August 2008 babies were doing the same.

Jeanine - posted on 01/14/2009

Quoting Kerri:

 

I am not trying to upset you Jeanine. Sorry if I did. I will just agree to disagree :)

You didn't upset me- I just get a little worked up sometimes!  It's hard enough being a mom these days, we shouldn't bring each other down.  I agree people see things differently and do what's best for their family- I totally respect that.  Friends again?? ;)

Samantha - posted on 01/14/2009

I make all of my daughter's food but thee are some thing that I have to thin out a lot with formula or water. She won't eat most of the fruit but she's a fiend for veggies!

Kerri - Kelsey was a preemie and had trouble gaining weight and she had GERD pretty bad.Our dr. recommended cereal to get her weight up and told us that she's gain the right amount of weight with solids, plus they food is heavier than the formula so her reflux won't be as bad. She still has about 32oz of formula a day plus the fruit in the morning and the veggies in the evening. Since we started the solids, we haven't had to give her any of the meds for the reflux, which is great for her! 

Kerri - posted on 01/14/2009

Quoting Jeanine:

I think it's insane that the alternative would be to starve my child or give him an IV drip of formula to keep him full and happy.  My ped has younger kids they're not even in middle school yet.  If I can't trust my child's ped, who can I trust??? I'm not going to follow her blindly, I did my own research as well. 

When it comes to raising babies, people have all kinds of extreme opinions.  I'm sure there are moms that would villify me because I don't breastfeed.  I don't and it's not really anyone's business why not.  I know things have changed since we were kids, but not everything is concrete. 

This started off as a post asking moms how they feed their kids solid food and as you can see we all do things differently under the advice of our doctors.  I'll follow mine because I chose her and because I respect how she does her job. 

I am not trying to upset you Jeanine. Sorry if I did. I will just agree to disagree :)

Jeanine - posted on 01/14/2009

I think it's insane that the alternative would be to starve my child or give him an IV drip of formula to keep him full and happy.  My ped has younger kids they're not even in middle school yet.  If I can't trust my child's ped, who can I trust??? I'm not going to follow her blindly, I did my own research as well. 

When it comes to raising babies, people have all kinds of extreme opinions.  I'm sure there are moms that would villify me because I don't breastfeed.  I don't and it's not really anyone's business why not.  I know things have changed since we were kids, but not everything is concrete. 

This started off as a post asking moms how they feed their kids solid food and as you can see we all do things differently under the advice of our doctors.  I'll follow mine because I chose her and because I respect how she does her job. 

Kerri - posted on 01/14/2009

Sorry, I don't want to start an argument but I think your Ped is insane for telling you to start solids at 3 or 4 months...this can cause sooo many problems later in life with their tummy (chrones disease, celiac disease) not to mention your child would definitely not have the proper reflex to feed.

Jeanine you should really read the link Stephanie put up and not trust one Ped. You should always consult with a doctor that is with the now and not referring to 'what they did back in the day'....for goodnesses sakes my mother always says...'we didn't use car seats'...'and all of  you are fine' (referring to my siblings and I). Would you put your infant in a car without a car seat?? Of course not! Because we know better now.

Melissa - posted on 01/14/2009

Mason is eating stage 1 baby food. He does not usually eat a full jar at one sitting...but he has already been through all veggies (be sure to give any new food like 3-5 feedings to ensure there are no allergies)..He is doing GREAT!

Samantha - posted on 01/14/2009

i tryed farex rice cereal 2 times over a month and a half ago shes 20 weeks now. then the 3rd day i gave her baby food. she liked it a lot better than rice cereal. she ate half a jar, then by the 7th day i couldnt get it in her mouth quick enough.. go with ur instincts!

Jeanine - posted on 01/14/2009

I think this is one of those issue everyone has a different opinion about- my pediatrician told us to do it, I didn't start on my own.  She said she did it with both of her kids so to me, she had experience on her side.  Every baby is different and I don't think one method can be applied across the board. 

My little guy was hungry, at 3 months he was eating up to 40 oz. of formula a day- how much do you think he'd be having now?  Solids were an excellent supplement for him and he is doing fantastic on them.  If he were not swallowing them or was outright miserable, I would not have continued but this made him a much happier baby.  In the end, I think that's what we all want- our kids to be the happiest they can be.

Stephanie - posted on 01/13/2009

Quoting Kerri:

Wow I am kind of shocked at how many of you are already feeding your baby solids. We were told by our Ped not to start until closer to six months. When I told her Ped I thought it was around 4 months he said people are very misinformed and are still listening to their mothers. I did a little research to see what I could find and he seems to be right when I look at the better websites...

 When should I introduce solid foods?

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends exclusive , such as those containing gluten, eggs, cheese, dairy products, fish and shellfish.

I guess we will just wait, at 5 months she seems fine with exclusive breast feeding and we aren’t in a rush to feed her solids.

 

AMEN Kerri.  Man! I am really amazed at all the people feeding solids already.  The AAP actually moved back their reccommendations to 6 months.  Specificly due to the fact that many babies still have an open gut.  So feeding all the foods opens up your baby to food allergies.  IF you do start early, that is why they reccommend rice cereal.  Not Meats and friuts and veggies.  Because there really isn't much to the rice cereal.  

Every baby is different, but you should still watch for specific milestones before starting solilds, no matter how cute it is.  

Baby is double birth weight.  Little to NO tongue thrust ( so if they are spitting it all out, bad), able to hold their head up for a decent period of time.  Not just because they are watching you eat.  Though I know that is cute ;) 

Here.  Check this out ladies.  LOTS of research. Not just for Breastfeeding babies either

 http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...

Kerri - posted on 01/13/2009

Wow I am kind of shocked at how many of you are already feeding your baby solids. We were told by our Ped not to start until closer to six months. When I told her Ped I thought it was around 4 months he said people are very misinformed and are still listening to their mothers. I did a little research to see what I could find and he seems to be right when I look at the better websites...

 When should I introduce solid foods?

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends exclusive , such as those containing gluten, eggs, cheese, dairy products, fish and shellfish.

I guess we will just wait, at 5 months she seems fine with exclusive breast feeding and we aren’t in a rush to feed her solids.

Lindsay - posted on 01/13/2009

I started feeding Cheyenne rice cereal at 4 and 1/2 months. Then we started with the orange vegtables and fruits. She loves applesauce the best. When I tried to give her carrots she spit up a lot. She tries to put her hand in the bowl and smear it all over her face.

Suzanne - posted on 01/13/2009

Vicki - I actually feed Aiden rice cereal in the morning, and baby oatmeal at night. I heard that baby oatmeal is thicker than rice cereal and tends to hold them over longer. So that might help you....

Vicki - posted on 01/13/2009

I love reading all these stories. Skye started on cereal, and within days moved on too cereal and homemade puree fruit and within two weeks is having 3 meals (x1 cup of puree fruit and a little cereal), breast fed every 2/ 3 hours plus 180ml of  BM at 8pm before bed. I thought this would help her sleeping, it did for 3 nights, now she is back to waking a few times, I'm sure she can't be hungry?? Any suggestions???

Charis - posted on 01/13/2009

colt has been on solid for about 1 1/2 months now and i havent had anything problems with it. i have a nurse that comes to my house every 2 weeks and she told me that it can take several bottles of food for them to actually get used to it and thats where the faces come from.



i would just feed him one new food at a time (like a few days of just that food) because i was feeding my son and i wouldnt know he had an allergy to the food until 2 or 3 meals into it and thats what the doctor suggested for me.

hope that eased your mind a little

Lisa - posted on 01/13/2009

We tried starting Eva on rice cereal at four months with a spoon, but all she would do is spit it out. Is that the same as the tongue reflex that I hear about? We worked on it for about a week and then gave up. We are going to try again now that she is 5 months old. She is exclusively breastfed, so I thought that was the problem initially.

Jeanine - posted on 01/13/2009

Mikey is 18-8 and 28".  He just always been hungry.  He gets fruit or veggie with oatmeal 3 times a day and (3) 8 oz. bottles.  He won't take any formula after his morning or afternoon solids, only at night. 

My husband is making the baby food and Mikey prefers it over the Gerber equivalents.  We have some of them on hand for going out or an emergency, but he loves all the homemade stuff so much better.  Anyone else make their own food?  

Suzanne - posted on 01/13/2009

Vanessa - That's intersting that you were told to start on meats first. I was told to start with orange veggies (squash, carrots, sweet potatoes) , then fruits, then meats. I'm sure it doesn't really matter what order you put it in as long as the baby eats all of it eventually!

Jeanine - WOW! 40oz of formula a day! We have a big boy too (he's almost 20 lbs/ 28 inches long) but I don't think he could eat that much! =)

Right now we are feeling Aiden 2 tbsp rice cereal + 5oz formula / BM for breakfast and dinner. For lunch he gets 2 tbsp of a veggie + 5 oz formula /BM, and then he gets 2 snacks of 5 oz formula/BM. He eats it all like a champ. I can't believe my little guy is growing up so fast!! =)

Thanks again for everyone's feedback!

Carly - posted on 01/13/2009

my doctor recomends 6months n i started my baby on baby rice at about 3 n half months just once a day for dinner she loves it i am going to start givin her baby ceriel in mornings and baby rice for dinner wen she's 5months and maybe a bit of baby juice wen shes 5months 2



but every1 is different you know your own baby

Jennifer - posted on 01/13/2009

Joseph is about 4 and a half months old, he has been eating rice cereal for about a week now, he seems to still try to use his tongue by sticking it out sucking and waiting for the bottle, lol.

Jeanine - posted on 01/13/2009

We started my son on rice cereal at 3 months,  fruits at four and veggies this past week.  Mikey's a big boy and he was getting almopst 40 oz. of formula a day and was still not satisfied.  His doc suggested we start the solids early- he is doing great on them.  We've had apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, plums, bananasand carrots, then squash started today.  He's getting about 24 oz of formula now as well.  We've also changed to Oatmeal instead of rice and that's filling him more as well.  Good luck with it all and takes lots of pictures!

Vanessa - posted on 01/12/2009

We were told to start our baby with meats first (for protein), then move on to veggies and fruit last. Our baby has just started eating rice cereal a few weeks ago and we're thinking about starting with meat soon. Has anyone else tried this???

Melody - posted on 01/11/2009

We started JT on rice cereal at 4 mos, then at 5 mos introduced avocado and now banana. He loves it all! If only it didn't turn his spit up green.

Terren - posted on 01/11/2009

I started Matthew on solids at 4 months, it depends on the baby, they say if they still have the reflex that they push food out then they are not ready for it. Right now Matthew is taking 2 of the stage one jars, and if I do a stage 2 jar he does about half. Most babies will still give you a face because they are not used to the different types of foods yet.

Kiyomi - posted on 01/11/2009

I just started to feed Audrey rice cereal once a day, with breastmilk as the liquid. I am thinking about adding applesauce to it and seeing how she likes that. My husband and I are planning on making our own baby foods, so we are not sure yet on what we are going to feed her.

Shelly - posted on 01/11/2009

I started Natalie on rice cereal when she turned 4 months and we did that for a week. After she got the hang of eating with a spoon, I moved on to sweet potatoes which she loved. I tried squash after that and she did not like it, but stuck with it for about 5 days. We have tried beans and peas now also which she likes. I think I will try all the veggies and then move on to fruits. This has not replaced any of the formula for her either. I love feeding her, it is just so cute!!

Suzanne - posted on 01/11/2009

We probably could have waited too but Aiden really seems to like the different foods. Plus he's so darn cute when he eats! Thanks for the feedback!

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2009

I haven't been in a rush to start my daughter on solids but she seems ready for it so we started her on baby rice about 5 days ago. She pulls alot of bitter, disgruntled faces and still opens her mouth for more but i think it just because it's a different taste and texture to milk. She's starting to get used to it now. I found sweet potato to be very successful with my first child, she loved it.