Anyone else not introduce solids yet?

Peta - posted on 06/26/2010

My baby is 6 months old today and he has been on solids since he was 4 1/2 months i feed him breakfast lunch and dinner. He loves his food but still breastfeeds nearly as much as he used to. He's now eating all types of food and i dont think i would have been able to wait till 6 month to start. He was putting on weight well but still seemed hungry most of the time. Now he seems alot happy and loves to try new foods. Its up to you though as my dctor advised me to start at 4 months but all doctors are different and have their own opinions. Good luck

Aileen - posted on 06/25/2010

Hi Evelyn!
I exclusively breastfed until Emma reached 6 months. She has now tried different fruits and veggies which I prepare myself from foods we are eating. She loves to try new foods and has no problem with different consistencies and textures. I skipped the cereal, as it's only recommended for it's low allergenic factor. I started her with applesauce, which is also low on the allergy scale. She has tried and loved applesauce, peaches, blueberries, peas, carrots, squash, turnips, bananas, sweet potato and mango. She didn't care too much for avocado. If I add a little bit of cereal to any fruits it's the oatmeal. She is thriving and was still gaining weight at 6 months before adding solids. She has solids twice a day and nurses the rest of the time. I am just starting to add a third feeding and she is 7 months.
If you want to wait until 6 months there is no reason not to. Many countries have moms who breastfeed throughout the first year and have babies who thrive. Our milk changes to provide just what baby needs calorie and fat wise, so the beginning food is just a supplement anyway, and to get used to different consistency. Good luck!

Malory - posted on 06/25/2010

My pediatrician told me to start feeding my son (now 6 months) rice cereal at 4 months then bring in baby foods at 5. He's already at stage 2 foods and loving every bite of it. He still drinks a bottle but not as many as he used to.

Crystal - posted on 06/24/2010

O-yea as long as you just sample her on a little first to make sure her tummy dose ok with the solids. I think she will be fine. Some babys don't show any intrest till a later age. She will let you know!

Samantha - posted on 06/21/2010

i myself start doing very thin baby cereal at 2 months just at night. than once they hit 4 months i start to slowly introduce the baby food. i try not to wait too long cause i've heard that the longer you wait the harder it is to get your baby to adjust to the different textures. my sister had that problem with her first kid. everyone told her to wait till 6 months to introduce solids so she did and by than her baby wouldnt' eat it...but to each there own.

Nerissa - posted on 06/10/2010

Are any of you going to the Making Baby Food session at Appleby Library today from 1:30pm to 3:30pm?

Santi - posted on 06/08/2010

My baby Adrian is 5 mths and I stared him on cereal at 3mths and now i give him stage 1 gerber I give him veggies and fruits and add a little cereal to the plate and mix it with what ever i'm feeding him. I then give him apple or apple prune juice to help wash the food down. he loves it and smiles the whole time he eats from the spoon and he does really good.

Morgan - posted on 06/08/2010

you should start soilds before the 6 month mark and 6 months at the lastest. Babys have an iron store until then so you should give them a little iron-rich food before they reach 6 months, also if they are lacking iron in their diet you should consider stage 2 formula as it has extra iron added.

Ravindramali - posted on 06/07/2010

mmmm...ya, I haven't introduced anything yet. my daughter is 24 weeks now and will wait till she is six months. She is breatfed and absolutely hates the bottle.

Papia - posted on 06/07/2010

Dr's are now recommending you wait until 6 months because new research has shown that delaying solids can not only decrease the development of allergies in children but also increase IQ. I didn't know this for my first child, so we started solids at 4.5 months. Coincidence or not, he developed an allergy to milk proteins, which is expected to disappear by his 3rd birthday, but in the meantime has made it a complete pain to try and get him enough Calcium and Vitamin D. Hold on just a little longer.

Amanda - posted on 06/06/2010

i started my son on the baby oatmeal at 5 months and now he will be starting the baby fruits and veggies soon.. he will be 6 months on the 17th

Brandi - posted on 06/06/2010

I started w/ rice cereal at around 3.5 months old with my daughter...she was just not satisfied w/ just her formula anymore and was showing interest in my food, and starting to really gain control w/ her head...she will be 6 months on the 18th, and she's had all the fruits and veggies in the 1st foods, and i JUST started her on the fruits n veggies(that she's had already, just mixed together) in the 2nd foods. she does really good. :):)

Helen - posted on 06/05/2010

My son was not satisfied after a breastfeed anymore. He was still hungry. Thought it was my milk supply. I gave him a bottle of formula, yet he was still hungry. So I started solids (veggies) at 5 months and he loves them. It hasn't changed his sleeping pattern though. He's been sleeping 12 -14 hours since 4 months.

Melissa - posted on 06/05/2010

I have waited and my baby still sleeps through the night till 7/7.30am straight from 7pm and is only breastfed. If she does wake ands doesnt re settle at about 5.30am ish I always feed her otherwise Im totally with you! Will start Rice Cereal this week but she is 5.3months so only a week off being 6months. Will introduce an actual flavour not just boring Cereal at the 6 month mark. Hope htis helps. My baby is interested in food and totally fine being left on just milk till now! My friends babies have all either gone off it or finding allergies from starting their babies at 3/4months so I was determined to wait! It can be done! :) Good luck!

Angela - posted on 06/04/2010

My boy Conor was born on 17th December and is 5 1/2 months now. I was told that babies have iron stores from birth that last 6 months. Breastmilk and formula both have iron, but not quite enough, so you introduce solids at 6 months. However we were told at 6 months the baby should well and truly be on solids. As it's best to introduce them gradually, we started a week ago and by 6 months Conor will have solids (ideally a variety of vegies and fruit) after every feed.
We started with one teaspoon of cereal after the morning feed. As he did not have a bad reaction he had a teaspoon at lunch too. I did this for two days. Then for a few days he had 2 teaspoons of cereal after the 7am, 11am and 3pm feeds. Today I gave him half pumpkin and half cereal...in a couple of days it will be just pumpkin and so it will go on. We won't add solids after the 7pm feed until we start phasing out the dream feed at 11pm.
We were also told to introduce solids in the morning so if there is a bad reaction you can get to the doctor and deal with it during the daytime not at midnight!
Hope that helps.

Sandra - posted on 06/04/2010

I'm also a breastfeeder, and I've waited for the 6-month mark with both of my kids. My daughter just turned six months old this week, and tasted banana for the first time this week. :)

Lisa - posted on 06/04/2010

I am waiting until 6 months - only a few weeks to go. I have to say I had some friends kind of bugging me about it recently but I don't care, per our last Doctor appt my daughter is healthy and thriving and doing just fine on breast milk alone.

Ashley - posted on 06/04/2010

My son is 5.5 months old and I just started introducing solids to him. He is most definitely ready -- he's drinking eight ounces per feeding and he moves food from front to back of his mouth. He's a very good eater and shows interest in food. What I've been doing is mixing a little bit of rice cereal with the veggies (I'm starting him with squash) and making it pretty runny. He eats it all up, and usually wants about two to three ounces of milk afterward.

Leanne - posted on 06/04/2010

my daughter was 5 month on the 30th of may, born on the 30th dec which just happens to be my birthday too... Ive dissused this with my health visitor and im looking to start the weaning process in the next few weeks.. i'll be happy to hold off until she is 6 months as long as she keeps gaining weight at the same level as she is now, but if she stops beforehand then she will be weaned sooner... i wouldnt worry about it my eldest child was weaned at 5 and a half monthl, when she seemed like she was ready.. Mind you my 5 month seems to be getting there now, she follows everything we eat with her eyes and watches every mouthfull.. I'd disuss it with your health visitor if you think your child might be ready, every child will be ready, when THEY are ready

Rebecca - posted on 06/04/2010

Hi Evelyn,
My daughter Isabella is 6 months and I am just starting to introduce her to solids. I have been breastfeeding her and supplementing with an organic formula when that is not enough. My doctor suggested I try solids on her at around 4 months but Isabella was not interested. I have given her tastes of food since she was about 4 months but, she is only now showing real interest in eating solids. I tried the rice cereal in many different consistancies only to find Isabella does not like it now matter how I present it to her. I found she is really not that interested in the jarred baby food either! I can see why she doesn't. I figure if I won't eat it why would she want to!! I have had fun the last two weeks introducing her so new tastes we've had Alaskan salmon, elk, avacado, asparagus, artichokes, raspberries, tomato,plain yogurt, grapes, oranges, oatmeal, apples and juice! She is deffinitely more interested in what I have to eat then the baby foods. Hope you have fun when your LO is ready too. I think the best thing to remember is if your baby is happy and thriving off of breastfeeding then there is no need to rush into feeding them solids.

Michelle - posted on 06/03/2010

Mine is 5 1/2 months and he is still only breastfed. When they are breastfed they actually do not NEED nutrients from anywhere else until they are 12 months old. Between 6 and 8 months is when it is time to just start to INTRODUCE new foods to them so they get the hang of it by the time they are 1. It is actually a newer recommendation to not introduce solids until 6 months because there is no evidence showing when exactly thier digestive systems develop before 6 months, they say that according to new research one thing that most children who have numerous food allergies have in common is that they were introduced solids before 6 months. Although I know PLENTY of people whos children are grown and older who were eating whipped cream at 3 months...so who knows....but I am for sure sticking to what is recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics....not my crazy friends :)

Tessa - posted on 06/03/2010

My son will be 6 months on the 13th. He always has been a good eater. He also always wants a bottle all the time. We decided to try to introduce him to solids when he turns 6months. My son has some health problems so we waited to get doctors approval. We are hoping we have good luck.

Mindy - posted on 06/03/2010

See but in your case you had to. Lots of women do it for the novelty or because they want more sleep. It is a proven fact that babies fed before a certain age have difficulties later on in life with allergies and such. My doctor said it was not necessary to feed until six months if your child is gaining weight properly , in your case your child needed it but most cases it is unnecessary. Yes all babies are different, but i am waiting til 6 months ,my baby is just fine and healthy.

Leigh - posted on 06/03/2010

"we" just turned 6 months and have given her little taste of baby food but are only BF its good enough for all their needs just stick with the BFING

France - posted on 06/03/2010

I'm on baby #4 and I've always waited until 6 months to introduce solids. My 3rd one was almost 7 months. I breastfeed only. I've never supplemented.

Brittany - posted on 06/03/2010

My daughter is almost 6 months old. She has been eating solids since she was 4months. She reaches for regular food when she sees it and still drinks her formula. She eats about 4 jars a day and about 20oz. As they start eating solids they cut back on the formula/breast milk. However its all about if he/she is ready. Mother knows best. There is no wrong or right time.... every baby is different.

Jessica - posted on 06/03/2010

my son tyler was 4 months when i started him on solids and he absolutly loves it he was fully breast fed other before that tho but his peaditrition said it was ok to intorduce them and i was making my own too its sooo easy. we did cerial first and he didnt realy like it so i tryed pumpkin he loved it :) its up to you tho your choice good luck

Mikka - posted on 06/02/2010

I have to agree with the other moms who say "base it on the child" I did not start my first on solids until he was 6 months old, but my lil one this time around was puking up a lot of the milk (bf, not formula) and being in the bottom 10th percentile for weight, our pedi suggested at the 4mo check up starting him on cereal. Since then he has shot up almost 3in in legnth - he clearly needed the food.

Rena - posted on 06/02/2010

I am exclusively breastfeeding and probably won't introduce food until six months either. Plus, I am really enjoying my bf experience with this one! :)

Max - posted on 06/02/2010

Babies digestive system matures between 6-9 months so we will start solids, using baby led weaning (Gill Rapley), somewhere between 6-9 months, when she can sit up without support. She is currently 5 1/4 months, exclusively breastfed, interested in our eating and everything else in the universe, and will put everything in her mouth including food if we offered it. She also has two teeth. Iron in breastmilk is easily absorbed, there is a study that shows that no babies who were introduced to solids after 7 months developed anemia compared to a higher percentage of those started early, as they dont eat enough solids to benefit from the iron in it at those early stages (goole it). Also beneficial to start solids at after 6 months but before 7 months to minimise allergies.

Joyce - posted on 06/02/2010

Lucky you Heather, my boy never took the baby food in jar. I am giving him rusks for now and will introduce baby rice in a couple of days. I will try some fruits too. my son will be 6month on the 13th.

Heather Lee - posted on 06/02/2010

I started the cereal in the formula a few months ago. My son is a big boy (weighing 20 pounds now at 5 months) and he was acting like he was starving with the bottle! I didn't breast feed because he would get too frustrated with it, unfortunately he has his bf's patience! He was introduced to solids at 4 months, I started with pears (he didn't like them) then tried the cereal (didn't like that either) then my mom tried bananas and he loved them! I tried carrots and he loved them, acting like he couldn't get enough!! He went through 2 1/2 jars of baby food that first day! He was doing that until he got sick, and now it is only 1 1/2 jars of baby food a day.

Maggie - posted on 06/02/2010

My son takes after both hubby and I and NEEDED solids earlier. We started him at 3 months on cereal, by 4 months he was on veggies and 4.5 on fruits. He still wants his regular bfeeds too..... lil piggy :)If your baby doesn't show signed of wanting solids they don't need it. Ayden would chew for us, grab and wake every hour at night for a milk feed.

Amanda - posted on 06/02/2010

I started early in the beginning, at about four months. Than I read some things that said it is not recommended to start early because of allergies and their stomach not being closed yet. A friend told me about the WHO code and I follow it now. We started off with some oatmeal last week (he just turned six months) so he can get the mechanics of chewing down. He loves apple slivers and peeled grapes. We will be introducing homemade baby food soon. I like that better than the jarred food as I know what he's getting and I know I can pronounce the ingredients. I commend you for sticking to the WHO code. I sometimes think not enough mom's know about it and I try to encourage as many moms as I can to follow the recommendations of the WHO.



Also, make sure both of you are ready when you want to start introducing other foods. If your baby isn't showing an interest in what you're doing when you eat, don't rush it. If you are pumping or can hand express, you should use your breastmilk to mix the oatmeal as your baby will get the best of both worlds this way. Please, don't put oatmeal in the bottle. This is actually dangerous and won't help a baby learn the proper mechanics of chewing as they think they can still swallow it because it's coming from a bottle.



I went through a dilemma with when to start foods. I asked my LC because I was confused. I had always thought that Gerber was really the way to go, and I was following some of their recommendations. I was confused because they listed you could give your assisted sitter oatmeal, but not anything else, and they recommended this at four months. I was confused as I had done lots of research and read where no assisted sitters should be given food. If they are needing the assistance they may not have the proper function of their neck and throat muscles just yet to be able to swallow. My LC told me to watch out for such "ploys" as Gerber is just a company looking for money and they will go about doing it any way they can.



This is why we will be making our own food when we're ready for him to start on something other than oatmeal. Also keep in mind, your baby should still be nursing 7-9 times a day while on foods. Your baby will still get most of their nutrition from you, but also introducing foods means the slow process of weaning. Up until a year old, you will still be giving your child baby the best nutrition possible. I have done much research and was glad to find an anthropologist that has done several years of research all around the world on breastfeeding. It is actually her recommendations that helped to create the WHO code. She suggests nursing your baby anywhere from 2.5 to 7 years of age. Check out my group page as I have tons of info there with lots of links! http://tinyurl.com/BFingAds

Alice - posted on 06/02/2010

Ethan has been on solids for the last month, he was 4 months old when I started him, I was advised not to start him at all until he was 6 months old, but I found the breast milk feeds were no longer satisfying him. I think that you should listen to your baby and if he seem really unsettled after a milk feed then maybe you should consider something a little more substancial, but every baby is so different, so just do what is right for your one!!!

Brenda - posted on 06/02/2010

My daughter will be 6 mo on the 18th. I have been breastfeeding exclusively I plan on starting to give her rice cereal in the up coming weeks. Allthough I have let her suck on a pickle a few times...she loves it!!!!!

Mindy - posted on 06/02/2010

Yes I am, Due to some unforeseen issues I wasn't able to breast feed, Although it was my wish to do so. My daughter will be 6 months on the 22nd of June and I am waiting. I have done a lot of research and I came to the conclusion that it was best to wait. We have a family history of allergies and diabetes. I had Gestational diabetes when I was pregnant. That very fact could condemn my daughter to having sugar issues of her own. And there have been studies that have link early feeding in babies to life long allergies and diabetes. I didn't want to double her chances. Besides all the research I did said that babies really don't need any extra nutrition until 6 months.....they get everything they need from breast milk or formula. I asked my doctor and she said the same. She also said that if your child is not growing at a appropriate rate they suggest feeding early, but in most cases there is no need. Also she said babies will sleep better through the night if you feed them solids earlier. So most people do it so they can get some sleep or because it is fun to feed their baby. But it is MY opinion that you are doing the right thing. My daughters last check up her height and weight were putting her about a month older than she is, I think she is growing just fine. = )

Sara - posted on 06/02/2010

Academy of pediatrics now recommends starting at 6 months rather than 4-6 months. Since our third baby has eczema very early our dr asked us if we could wait until 6 months.
She has had rice cereal mixed with a bit of formula a couple of times to get her used to the idea. Just start slow. You need to introduce a new food every 1-2 weeks so you can make sure there are no allergies to that food. It may also take a little time before you baby likes anything or can even keep most of it in her mouth. She has to learn to eat, it's not innate like sucking is. Just be patient. Our boys started at 4 months, but she won't be on anything really until definitely 6 months-one more week!!!

Krystal - posted on 06/01/2010

I started mine a month ago and he's doing great. I'm hoping to have him weened at 9 or 10 month like I did his older sister.

Joyce - posted on 06/01/2010

My lil 1 will be 6 months on the 13th of June, started him at 5m 2wks as advised by the Health visitor.

Michelle - posted on 06/01/2010

My Lola is 5.5 months and definitely recognizes and is curious about food when I'm eating - however I am not planning to introduce solids to her until at least 6 months of age. I'm breastfeeding and want her to get as much nutrients through that as possible, before I fill her tummy with other foods. My pediatrician agrees and says she'll be ready for solids when it seems breast milk just isn't satiating her anymore.

Jenette - posted on 06/01/2010

I was going to try to wait till the 6 month mark but when my DD started giving signs that she wanted more and was ready I started giving solids-she was a little over 5 months old-waiting till she was ready and wanting seemed to work out really well for us.

Amy - posted on 06/01/2010

I have started cereal at 4 months, but I'm waiting until 6 months for baby food. He is really interested in people food now though, he tries to reach and touch what we are eating.

Mal - posted on 05/31/2010

My daughter was 4 months when she was introduced to food. She is now 5 months and will want anything in sight. She loves Broccoli and Cauliflower and even loves meaty Pasta Sauce. but if your little one isnt showing an interest in food then best to hold out. When they take an interest thats when they are ready to eat no matter how long you want to wait.

Mercedes - posted on 05/31/2010

I am with you :). My son in 5 1/2 months and we plan on waiting as long as possible before starting him on solids. after doing our own research and talking to the pediatrician we learned that started babies on solids to early can lead to childhood food allergys and obesity. now obviously thats not true for all babies! but considering theres no "need" for them to have food at all for the first year, thats the decision we made for our family. we'll probably start him around 8 months. good luck!

Lisa - posted on 05/31/2010

You are the mum, u do as you please. I feed my baby the foods that are recommended for 4-6 month old babies. Because she had all the signs of a baby being ready for solids. She only has about 5 scoops of cereal, banana and sweet potatoe per day so she still has the same amount of liquid she is supposed to have because until a baby is btwn 9-12months foods are only supposed to be extra, not taking over breast feeding or formula.

Amanda - posted on 05/31/2010

I'm all for waiting but if the baby needs it then you should not wait. my daughter can only eat so much at a time and if I don't try to give her food even though she cannot eat it too well, she will eat every couple of hours and spit up a lot more than she should. But she is hungry and needs more calories than is offered in breastmilk and formula. You should really base it on the baby not your own desires. I know how great it is to be able to breastfeed your baby and know that you baby needs and wants you for her nurishment, but there comes a time when you must give her more. It does not make it any less rewarding when you do, just gives her a more complete meal than we can offer.

Brooke - posted on 05/31/2010

We are waiting to the 6month mark as well, and that's getting closer... June 13th Ashlyn will be 6 months. She has only had breastmilk since day 1

Amanda - posted on 05/31/2010

Solids for a baby is basically any type of baby food. Normally you start with the infant cereals and then go to he jarred babyfood but I usually skip cereal because they just don't prefer it. And you don't have to wait til they have teeth. Some babies wont get teeth until way later during the first year and they need solids introduced earlier than that because their tummies are still small and can only hold a certain amount of food therefore we must increase the amount of calories held in that small amount of food they do take.

Neima - posted on 05/31/2010

Hi, I would recommend to just listen to your baby and not follow any 'rules'. There are major signs that the baby is ready like major salivation at the sight of your food, trying to grab your fork or spoon while you are eating, putting everything into his mouth, becoming more and more hungry and demanding longer feeds...just look for the signs and let him transition when he wants to. Waiting or forcing is not the right thing in my opinion.

Imagine, I wanted to breastfeed only until 9 months.. My baby was literally begging for food already at 5 months and I begrudgingly gave it to him...now he is almost 6 months and we are doing about 2 ceriale-fruit-avocado feeds every day to day and a half with breast milk top ups and at least one feed a day from daddy with Aptamil liquid formula. He is sleeping through the nights now and seeming to enjoy the diversity.

Listen to your baby and be flexible.

good luck!
Neima