"baby rules" just out of curiosity

Nina - posted on 06/29/2010

This thread IS a great idea - especially since it is a safe space to give and accept advice. :D I'm from Egypt but when I heard all the conflicting stories like 'feed them when they want to be fed', 'feed them every two hours', etc and I found that with my firstborn (now 4 years old) I was LOSING MY MIND from lack of sleep and organization, I turned to Gina Ford! I don't know how closely I really followed her but the idea was: organization to feedings (I know, probably common knowledge to the rest of you) and by making everything organized, I was given the gift of sleep! YAY! Following the same methodology with my new baby (6 months) - feeding solids at 6 months - I fed cereal then apples with my first and she took a while to like veggies so with the new baby it's been 2 weeks of veggies and I just started apples yesterday.

I had them sleep in a totally dark room, we never left either one to cry for very long at bedtime but also never picked them up (almost never, we caved occasionally and paid the price!) - swaddling was a great thing for us, made our little girls feel secure and sleep deeply.

Back to sleep (like the sleep sack says) - despite family getting involved and insisting that stomach is the best and that all of us slept on our stomachs.

One other thing - I only made it two weeks for each with breastfeeding. I know this is VERY TABOO but I just could not do it. With my first I was crying my eyes out while breastfeeding and with my second, there was so little there, she literally needed a top up half an hour from when she had stopped feeding. Of course, as a mom, I will feel eternally guilty for this but it's done - and I am done! :D Also tried to make myself feel better by using no packaged food - all home cooked - after the baby rice phase.

Lyndal - posted on 06/28/2010

This thread was a great idea!
Australia.
Well my baby is just 6mths old, but she is my 5th, so I tend not to listen to any advice much anymore. The one thing I am doing which is new is "Baby Led Weaning", google it. I'm letting my baby lead the way with food. If she can get it to her mouth, she can have a taste. I don't plan on "spoon feeding" her. For the next 6 mths, until she is 1yo, food is all about taste and texture, rather than essential nutrition. She is breast fed. I have offered her water now she is 6mths, but not on a regular basis.

So far she has tasted, potato, pumpkin, carrot, toast, chocolate cake, baked beans, and what ever else is on my plate.

Nicole - posted on 06/09/2010

My daughter just turned 6 months on June 3rd.....her pediatrician told me to start her on solids at 4 months old. He said to started with cereal first, then turn to jar food, preferably veggies first so she knew she would like them after she got the sweet tasting fruits. When she was born the nurses told us to only lye her on her back, and her pediatrician still says no to sleeping on tummy until shes able to roll by herself. Even tho she was only laying on her back, in order to keep her head from going flat on one side, you lay her head facing the opposite way you had it facing the previous time. Of course now shes moves her head as she pleases so it does not matter, she will move it if she doesnt want it that way anyways.

Kendall - posted on 06/08/2010

I'm from Florida, USA.
Food..I've heard many different things including the recent decision of the AAP(American Academy of Pediatrics) saying that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first YEAR. That means not even a taste of food. I'm not down with that. I start cereal between 6 and 8 weeks, yes, weeks...about 2 months.

Noone has ever told me how to put my kids to sleep at night, but I get pamphlets and tshirts(in the hospital) that say to put them on their backs to sleep, but then do tummy time during the day with them while you are right there. My little one back slept until she refused to sleep that way anymore. once she could lift her head, I put her on her belly to sleep. She is now 6 months and sleeps however she wants(usually on her side).

I don't know, but maybe I don't have many people telling me what/how to do something with my kids. I'm thankful for that! All three are happy and healthy. I did have a doctor tell me that at 9 months their digestive system wasn't ready for the oatmeal baby food...*shrug* I didn't stop and she was fine because she'd BEEN fine. :)

I agree, you're going to hear conflicting advice...there is no right or wrong way as long as it doesn't do any harm.

Francesca - posted on 06/07/2010

The rule is to sleep them on their backs, but like many here I'm letting my little one sleep on her tummy lately in order to get some extra hours of sleep! I do make sure she has a firm mattress and nothing to block her airways.

For solids, our doctor said we could start anytime she was able to sit with her head up and move her tongue to get the food down her throat. We started slowly around 5 months, with one solid meal a day at most. They recommend starting with less sweet foods, but otherwise these days they aren't worried about which foods are easily digested or which foods might cause allergies-- apparently the latest studies don't show that it matters much what gets introduced. My daughter likes hummus and the tomato sauce off of pizza slices. But usually we feed her the single-food jars or cereal mixed with a single-food jar. I'm planning to make my own foods for her soon, but we're traveling most of this month and I don't seem to have any time...

I've heard walkers aren't safe and might interfere with development, but I have not heard anything against jumpers or exersaucers. I believe the exersaucer contributed to my first daughter walking early, but that's just anecdotal.

Carseat rules are continuing to change-- recommendation now is not to turn the kid front-facing until 2 years old. Right now my 6-month-old seems content facing the rear, so maybe we'll try that. My first daughter screamed every car ride until we turned her front-facing at 1 year old.

Barbara - posted on 06/07/2010

We're from Toronto (Canada). We're waiting for 6 mos. to start rice cereal w breast milk. It worked with my 1st boy.... the best baby (jarred) food is PC Organics. Just pureed veg/ fruit and no preservatives, additives etc. not too expensive & very convenient for me! I still add it to my 3 year old's food to secretly get extra nutrients in him!



Jolly Jumper's are the best way to tire a baby out for a nice long sleep - I think they are good to exercise the little guys who can't move enough yet, but have energy to burn. Both of my boys LOVED it!

Erica - posted on 06/07/2010

It does depend on the Dr. I am in OH and started my little guy on rice cereal at 4 months. This was ok'd by my ped due to the fact he was eating full 8oz bottles and was still hungry. He is getting 2 servings a day of cereal plus 4 full bottles of formula. We are going to start other foods in a couple weeks. Our ped recommended starting on veggies first since they are more bland tasting than fruit. Not in all cases, but she said many times when starting with fruit then transitioning into veggies babies have refused to eat them based on the taste. She also said to start with one food at a time for several days to make sure there are no specific allegies. Until age 1 though I was told the primary source of nutrition should be from formula or breast milk. Having fun feeding him food though - he loves it and learned to eat off a spoon quickly:)

Rachelle - posted on 06/07/2010

thanks every one its intresiting to see the differences between countrys and even just a city over...

Ericka - posted on 06/07/2010

Hi, I am from Finland. Here they recommend to start with solid foods at 6 months unless there are problems with growth/weight gain. The recommendation here is a five week introduction technique: to start with potatoe puree (1st week) then incorporate other veggies like carrots, cauliflower or broccolli (2nd week), then move to the meats/fish (3rd week), the fourth week is for cereals and the final week is for fruits. I am Colombian and started giving both of my kids prunes at 4 months old as they both had hard stomachs. My 5 and a half month old boy loves all fruits and hates the potatoes and rest of veggies. I have only started acquainting him with solid food, so I only give him once per day. So as you see, I did not follow the Finnish recommemdation, but more my instinct and what I remembered was done in Colombia. The other rules, like sleeping, are the same, on their back to prevent SIDs, car seats should be facing backwards until 2 years old ( we changed with our first kid at 1 year old). Do not use walkers, try to have the babies as much on their belly as possible when awake in order for them to develop their back muscles and motor senses.

Nitashap - posted on 06/06/2010

I am from Mobile,Al,USA. We started Cohen with rice cereal at 3 months old. He was feed out of a bowl and with a spoon to help with swallowing. He has never drank cereal or baby food out of a "feeder". Our doctor said that you should only give foods to your baby out of bowl/spoon, unless they are given @ an earlier age bec. they are not satisfied. We were told to start our son @ 4months with fruits(1 every 3 days, to make sure there were no allergies) then move on to veggies @ 6 months. We will be starting those in a few days! YAY! We were told no juice, table food, or anything that is not for him(you know how every one sees a baby and ones to put sour stuff in his mouth to see funny faces). We were told to let him sleep on his back in a boppy pillow but I think the pillow was just because he had acid reflux. He also had collic which was unbearable at times it seemed. We were told by different people just to let him cry but I could but i could not dare let my precious baby "cry it out"! He was crying for a reason. Collic is serious stuff! For the most part we follow the rules. We have a happy healthy little fella!

Brandi - posted on 06/06/2010

I am from Wisconsin, USA...my doctor, who is also the allergist, and my sis has used, along w/ nurses, says to my daughter out on rice/oatmeal cereal mixed w/ her formula whenever she shows signs of readiness...WIC however said not to until she was 6 months...she will be 6 months on June 18th....i started her on cereal at around 3/3.5 months...then started giving her fruits(introduced one at time for at least 3 days between), then veggies(introduced one at a time for at least 3 days between)...she's had all of the 1st foods(except prunes..lol) and she's now starting on the 2nd foods...she LOVES applesauce, bananas, and sweet potatoes are her fave..she likes the others, but isnt too keen on carrots.

as far as sleeping goes...they told me(which i already knew from having 2 nephews, and working at a day care for 3 years before having her) to put her on her back to sleep. But now she rolls over all the time, so if she flips to her tummy after so many times of flipping her back over, i just let her sleep on her tummy because she has good head control.

I just follow her cues and do what i think is best for her as a mommy. :):)

Helen - posted on 06/05/2010

In Australia I was told to starts solids (fruits and veg) at 6 months, or if he was still hungry after a bottle. I started solids at 5 months.
I was told to go through veggies first or they will develop a sweet tooth. No dairy until 12 months.
However, in The Netherlands the guideline is solids at 4 months.

I've been advised to have bubs sleeping on his back to prevent SIDS. But have also been told that as long as the mattress is firm and there are NO other SIDS contributors around bubs (smoking, toys in cot, etc) belly sleeping is fine.

Carseat: I have been told that you should keep them rear facing as long as possible. But the manufacturer says you can turn them front facing at 6 months.

Tracie - posted on 06/05/2010

To be honest there aren't really any hard and fast rules. These are children and just like anyone else they are really on their own schedule. I have three children, my oldest two are almost 17 and almost 14, and we also have a 6 month old. My grandmother gave me the best advice years ago with my oldest, and that was to learn to listen to your child about when they are ready. She also said to trust my instincts as a mother, and to take all advice with a grain of salt. My grandmother had been a nurse for about 50 years, so I figure she knows what she is talking about.
We will all get told a million different things....trust yourself and your common sense. We all have different parenting styles with different personality of children...listen to what works for you and your baby, and what fits in with your style.
Children don't come with instruction manuals....just like anything else that matters it's a matter of hit and miss, and trial and error. ;-D
I started solids with all of my children when they showed interest in food, and that has worked out great with all three kids. My baby is now eating blended foods, and meats. She also still gets some breastmilk too because she wants it still. My oldest was already weaned at 6 months because she was 'done' with me.
My children go to sleep in their bassinets, but when/if they wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning early, I bring them to bed with me to breastfeed and then they sleep with us for the rest of the night/morning. Bed sharing was advised with my oldest, but now I guess it isn't? Anyhow, we found that this is what works best for us. My older two are healthy, happy, and well adjusted so I figure what worked for them will work for this one too.
I will say that the best thing about being an 'older' mom is that I get alot less needless advice! ;-D
Enjoy as time is short and it goes by way too fast!!!

Dani - posted on 06/01/2010

Where in Canada?? I am From Sk and my Grandpa a Doc and mom and grandma a nurse , Solids at 6 months starting with rice cereal, obviously the baby food company wants you to start earlier, i was also told to make my own baby food to reduce the amount of preservitives. Yes babys should sleep on there backs as a Sids percaution since reduced airflow has been linked to SIDs. This is what i have been told by my Family,,,,,, LOL ???? Curious hey!

Krystal - posted on 06/01/2010

Im from USA Texas.
I started my kids on rice cereal mixed with formula, then moved to fruits and veggies. I tried meats but niether one of my children liked them at first. My daughter is 2 and it wasnt untill she was able to eat real meat that she liked it. My son is almost 6 months and hates it. I always put them to sleep on their back to prevent SIDS, but one they can roll over themselves there is not much you can do about it, but I always make sure a fan is on in their room to help with air circulation.

Elise - posted on 06/01/2010

USA Illinois- I started giving my son (now 5 months) cereal mixed with applesauce at 3 months, he wouldn't take it any other way, and he wasn't satisfied with just breastmilk. When I went to his 4 month check up Dr said I could start him on solids if I hadn't already because even though they say 6 months, they are finding the earlier you start the fewer allergies they will have. When I told him I had already started he said it was perfectly fine because moms know what their baby needs.
As far as the sleeping, none of us were getting any sleep, so I put him on his stomach when he was about 3.5 months old. He now sleeps for a good 6-7 hour block at minimum, sometimes more.
You know what your child wants/needs. You can always try something and if they don't like it they aren't ready!

Katie - posted on 06/01/2010

I'm from Illinois but use a pediatrician in Indiana.



They say to start rice cereal at two months.



At three months Introduce orange veggies one at a time only one a week then move to green veggies.



After they've had all the veggies slowly introduce fruits one at a time.



They say to wait until six months Atleast before introducing meats. And eight months before juice.

Lisa - posted on 05/31/2010

I am from Canada also.

I have never heard of starting a baby off with meat, that is supposed to be the last because it is harder to digest. The first recommended thing to start a baby off with is a plain rice cereal.

Baby is supposed to be put to sleep on it's back because it lower the risk of SIDS.

Foods, some doctors will say 4 months is OK, some will say wait till 6 months, and some will say when the baby is showing the signs ie

- can hold it's head up
- can sit up while being supported
- is showing an interest in what you are eating

There are no real rules though. As parents we should do what we believe is right for our children. However, I would put baby to sleep on the back just because there is evidence that is does help prevent SIDS, however it doesn't mean it won't happen.

For the foods try this website it is quite good, gives a good idea of which foods to feed at what age, and what foods babies should NOT be given, http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solids....

Sarah - posted on 05/31/2010

Hi I'm from Victoria, BC, Canada. My first is now 2.5 yrs and my daughter is just about 6m now.
For both children the doctors recommend starting babies on solids between 4-6 months (depending on child's development). For both children doctors advised starting babies on cereal first and then meat, fruit and veggies. They stressed the importance of starting them on meat early to prevent anemia.
Doctors and nurses will always say back to sleep however I let the babies sleep however is comfortable for them. Logan slept on his back and Aurora sleeps on her side. I always laid them down having their head facing the opposite direction when they were newborns to prevent flat headedness and of course the infamous "tummy time" helps too. I started Logan on cereal at 4.5 months and then baby foods at 5 months. I started Aurora on solids since 5.5 months. So far she has only had cereal, squash, banana, and pear.

Heather - posted on 05/31/2010

in the uk its sleeping on backs, start weaning at 6 months and never before 17 weeks (i started at 15 weeks so haha to them!!) and to start them on fruit and veg first, i also got told by my health visitor that the reason jars of baby food says from 4 months is because they changed the guidelines from 4 months to 6 months and it is too expensive for the companies to change their packaging!!!

Caitlyn - posted on 05/31/2010

I'm from Wisconsin, USA and my doctor told me to start my son on solids whenever he was ready but the WIC people/nurses told me not too until he was 6 months. i followed what my doctor said cuz he said my son needed it to put on weight since he was premature. my doctor also said to treat my son as though he was born on time while WIC told me that i couldn't do that. I was also told to put him on his back to sleep but my son will not sleep that way so i have been putting him on his tummy and my doctor said that was fine as long as he can move his head around and lift his head up.

Jacqueline - posted on 05/30/2010

I'm from Australia. Food wise, we are told 6months, or earlier at the advice of a professional. My Dr said when they are alert, and show an early interest in food, ie watching you eat with curiousity is a good time, but to start with rice cereal, or veges or soup broth. My son started 1 food meal a day at 4 months, then 2 at 5 mths. I am yet to introduce meat, but he loves veges and fruit, and eats cereal, but I have to mix fruit (usually apple) as he doesn't think much of it on it's own. Also we are told to still give the milk first then the food, until about 8 mths, as this is where he gets most of his nutritian from, and eating is more practice at this stage.
In Australia we are told because of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Sydrome) to put sleeping babies on their back, and a mid wife told me to stop "Flat Spot" developing each night gently turn baby's head in a different direction to the previous night. eg tonight have baby look towards left shoulder, tomorrow night have baby look towards right shoulder, and then the next night, have baby look towards ceiling.
You may find lots of people have lots of views, and some (especailly close family) are adament thier views are the only correct one, and what I have found is to listen to the advice (it seems to be the less offensive way), but go with your gut feeling. If I don't agree with the advice, I thank the person giving it, and if they insist I use it, I just say that I'll persevere a little longer with what we are doing, then I'll consider it. Good Luck!

Melissa - posted on 05/28/2010

I started my son on cereal in his bottle at 2 months. he's now 5 1/2 months and eating fruits veggies and oatmeal.
I lay him on his back but he rolls to his side (doc says its not as much of a danger after 6 months)
there is also the "crying it out" thing...we don't let him "cry it out"...he stays in his crib and we go in quietly when he gets upset and give his binky back and talk to him so he calms down....we don't pick him up unless he is hysterical. some days are better than other but for the most part he goes down for naps without a fuss and he has been sleeping through the night since he was 2 months old.

Tiziana - posted on 05/28/2010

I am from Chicago. My son is 6 months and my doctor had me start hm on cereal, fruit and vegies @ 4 months, he was drooling a lot and was very active so he said that he was ready for solids, not full meals just half a container 2 times a day. For sleeping we also were told on his back, but I sometimes would put him on his belly when I was in the same room because thats the only way he would sleep @ times. Now he rolls himself over and he loves to sleep on his side.

Sarah - posted on 05/28/2010

New Zealand here as well, I guess the most important rule is sleeping baby on their back. There is a huge push for reducing SUDI in NZ, lots of info on not co-sleeping, drinking, smoking or taking drugs etc.
No food before 4 months, starting with baby cereal and formula or breast milk. We get a chart to show the different food stages which is quite helpful.
Plunket (our community baby care people) now recommend to change baby on the floor from about 5 months on!!!

Sarah - posted on 05/28/2010

I think that wherever you are from, you'll always hear conflicting advice and information. What works for some, doesn't necessarily work for others and certainly doesn't mean their way is right and another's way is wrong. I guess the idea is to take whatever piece of info works for you and discard the rest. If you're not sure, ask around, get peoples' opinions, ask those with experience, and do your own research. That way you can make an informed decision about what's best for you and your baby =)



I agree though, it's certainly interesting some of the things people come up with... eg.

- jolly jumpers / exer-saucers / walkers are okay for a short while, vs. you should NEVER put your baby in a jolly jumper / walker etc because they are harmful to baby's development.

- start baby on pureed apple / pear first, vs. start them with baby rice and veggies as opposed to fruit because some babies will take a liking to sweet food and not want veggies at all.

- when you go to settle or feed baby at night, don't make eye contact with them, vs. it's perfectly fine and natural to look your baby in the eye as it doesn't do any harm.



...just a few examples.

Dianisha - posted on 05/27/2010

I know that my daughter's pediatrician( will be 5 months May 31st) and also my son (who is almost 9 years old) doctor informed me to start them on green veggies first, both doctor's said not to start with solids until 6 months, I started my son at 4 months, and just started giving my daughter green veggies about 2 weeks ago.

I was also told to put them both on their backs to sleep,l my son did well, but my daughter would not sleep but 20 to 30 minutes on her back, so I start putting her on her tummy at approx 3 weeks, and I checked on her every 30-45 mins until I was comfortable, now I get up and check on her once throughout the night now that she is sleeing longer, but she can roll over now also.

I hope this helps!

Krista - posted on 05/27/2010

I'm from canada, too. when my first was born 6yrs ago, the food guide said to start solids at 4m but by the time my 2nd was born 3yrs ago it had changed to 6months. This is only a recommendation and you should follow your baby's cue to start solids. try making your own food, it's so much cheaper and it doesn't smell yucky either (just my opinion that it's too expensive). I would recommend no meat till at least 9m though...
I agree with Cecily, put baby to sleep on it's back till they can roll over themselves
i'm in edmonton, where are you from?

Antonia - posted on 05/27/2010

I'm from the UK and we're told to lie babies on their back with feet against the cot to avoid cot death, don't start weaning before 6 months because a baby has all they need from breast/ formula milk and to start on something really smooth like baby rice, baby porridge, apple puree, pear etc moving onto pureed meats from 7 months. I weaned both my children at 4 or 5 months as they were ready, they slept on their backs until they could roll over and slept on their side anyways.

Nicole - posted on 05/27/2010

I'm from New Zealand

The one main rule pushed is laying baby on back when they sleep to prevent SIDS.
No particular rules regarding food other than not introducing it before the 4 month mark, and the "carrot" food chart.

CLARISSA - posted on 05/26/2010

I'm from USA, Georgia.
At our six month ceck up I thought we were going to be told start cereal at four months, but he said wait until six and feed her with a spoon; and that veggies would follow once cereal were taken well. I started at four-and-a-half months because she was going through a tub of Similac in less than a week. And now were on veggies.
The first four days we were in the hospital she did not sleep at all! The only way I could get her to sleep was to hold her on my chest, or lay her by my side. The samething happened when I came home. She only slept when she was placed on her stomach, and it's five months later and she will now roll over if she is not placed on her stomach to sleep.
I guess just depends on the doctor, my cousin has a child the same age and her doctor already started her on cereal. And I always wondered why the jars said 4 months, but most doctors wait until six months.

Mistik - posted on 05/26/2010

In the NICU (Hospital) they constantly turned them to avoid flat spots and "Their ears becoming uneven"! But that was with a nurse sitting with them and hooked to monitors. LOL!!

Selma - posted on 05/26/2010

I'm from Australia and we're told to put baby to sleep on their back to prevent them from SIDS, however my European family says the back of the babies head will go flat if they're always on their back

Mistik - posted on 05/26/2010

K. I'm from Texas. We had to go through Infant CPR, Heart and lung monitor classes etc. to get our babies released to us. I was told with my son (13 years ago) to use wedges and sleep on side. CPR hospital classes said NO, not anymore. HEALTHY babies on back only NEVER stomach. NO wedges. NO crib bumpers, NO stuffed animals or blankets. SMALL recieving blankets only. (They flip now)
Two month doctor visit told to wait on cereal until 4 months unless they start eating too often (2 hrs) or too much (over 8oz) They started cereal at 3 1/2 months. She started them on veggies at 4 months. Cereal in morning and veggies at night. I really thought she would wait with them being premature, but she said once they can sit with assistance. They eat 3 x a day 4-6oz. They are very healthey and happy and big!!

Tameka - posted on 05/26/2010

I'm from Australia
Since I first joined Circle of Mums I was really surprised to find some people giving their babies solids at just a few weeks old. Here in Australia we're told to only give our babies breastmilk or formula for the first 6 months. Some Heinz baby foods jars are labelled from 4-6 months. When I started solids with my eldest I questioned this and WHO are trying to get them to change the labelling to 6+ months. That was 3.5 years ago. I personally have exclusively breastfed my 5 month and plan on starting solids in a few weeks. My daughter is nice and chubby and hasn't had feeding issues so we're happy to stick with this.

Sleeping is another issue here. I've been told let your baby cry it out, don't let your baby cry. Sleep on their back only, sleep in different positions to prevent flat spots... The list is endless.

For me, I love hearing peoples advice and love hearing something new. I then take it and apply only what makes my family happy. And I think that's the way it should be!

Maggie - posted on 05/25/2010

Im from Australia, they recommend not starting fruits, veggies or baby food till 6 months and meats till 8 months but thats only a recommendation. Mum knows best for her child. We started our son on Fruits and veggies at 3.5 months with no issues. Other babies are't even ready for them until much later

Cecily - posted on 05/25/2010

from USA Louisiana.
told to start fruits at four months, but I'm Korean so we started with veggies.
back to sleep until theynroll over themselves, but I co sleep and let him sleep however he wants.
the books say to start food at six months but DRs base it usually on the individual babies growth and development.

hope that helped some