Anyone started solids yet? Or feeling pressure to start?

Nicoleen - posted on 04/20/2012

Hey Karen, I started giving my now 5 mnth old son solidss when he was about 3 mnths old and no hharm was done. Would have prefered to start him with solis @ six months though but I think he wasn't gettin enough from drinking milk only. I say whenever you feel your baaby is ready for solidsthen you give. It entirely depents on the mother, don't let anyone tell you what to do with your kids.

Brianna - posted on 04/20/2012

If you are exclusively breastfeeding, babies do not need anything else until they turn one. It does not matter how big they are or if they're interested in food. The latter may be a sign that they are ready to eat but they don't need to. There are many benefits to delaying solids. I am waiting until my son is 7-8 months to introduce solids. Http://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/delay-solids/

This is a great resource and provides research supporting 6-9 months as the ideal age to introduce solids.



Edit: There may be cases when a doctor recommends solids earlier. I am speaking on most cases, not special ones!

Caitlin - posted on 04/19/2012

Now see I was advised by my pediatrician to start with fruits, then vegetables, blends and then meats.

Andrea - posted on 04/18/2012

i gotta correct myself its veggies fruit then meat. but if you wish start w rice cereal first then at six mths try the veggies. start with avocodo sweet potato peas squash stuff like that. the baby bullet has been amazing to use it tells you in the book when how and what to feed them. it is all up to you when to try you are the mom and moms will know when its time. good luck

LUZ - posted on 04/17/2012

Hi Karen,
Unfortunately I had to start my litlle Ethan early @ 31/2 months, only because he wouldn't have his bottle, as per Docs instructions start him on solids. It's been an easy transition he eats all his food, but it would of been nice to have kept him on his bottles.

Meghan - posted on 04/15/2012

My LO just had an appt with the children's hospital (he goes every 4 months because he had complications at birth) and the nurse asked us if he was on solids or if he was displaying any of the signs of wanting to start. We told her no, that we didn't even know what the signs were... She said it was good, that the National Association of Pediatrics (I actually have no clue what she called it, but it was something like that) prefer if all babies were not given solids until 6 months. She said some babies won't wait until six months (they show the signs, very interested in what you're eating, seems hungry with just milk and if he or she can sit with little support).



I know it's hard, people are always going to try and tell you how to raise your LO,but stick to your guns!! Your bundle of joy will let you know when it's time!!!



Good luck!!! :)

Caitlin - posted on 04/14/2012

I have not experienced any pressure but I decided to start my son on solids as he is eating every 2 hours, formula just is not satisfying him anymore. After speaking with his pediatrician I started him on pears and going from there.

Kathleen - posted on 04/14/2012

I know they are pushing to feed babies at four months now or to "taste" things, but I am not a believer. What is the rush if they are at a healthy weight? I have a 4 1/2 month old and I plan on waiting until 6 months to start solids. My little one does not even show an interest in what the rest of the family is eating. This is #3 for me and I exclusively breastfed the other two until 6 months before starting solids. As far as your MIL, keep it simple, just tell her that although you know you can start on solids you are choosing to wait.

Mayte - posted on 04/13/2012

You are right in not starting solids until 6 months. My daughter just turned 5 months also and is similarly thriving without solids (even with initial weight gain problems in the first couple months!).



The most recent recommendations from the American Association of Pediatrics is to wait until 6 months to introduce solids, unless completely necessary due to other problems. It is understandable that your MIL feels the need to start feeding her now, because that is how they did things when she had a baby (my mother started feeding me solids at only 2 months!). But recommending solids before 6 months for a regular, healthy baby is antiquated advice.



Here are some sources if interested:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/co...

http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/comp...

Aracely - posted on 04/12/2012

Hi Karen,

I started my son on cereal the day after his 4 month check up. we did a tablespoon of cereal with breastmilk once a day. He continued his same breastfeedings that he had before starting cereal, no more and no less, still 5 breastfeedings a day. This week, as he turned 5 months we are doing 1 serving of cereal and then later in the day a small serving of a vegetable, still taking in the same amount of breastmilk. Doctor says that breastmilk is still their #1 source of food, no matter what, until 1 year (breast or formula). So even starting him on solids, you will be the primary food source, not mama in law.... Good luck. :)

Ashley - posted on 04/11/2012

My son was sick around 4 months and we went to see the doctor. He told me to start getting some real food in him, so I started him on cereal. Then I put him on veggie baby food, and now he is on cereal in the morning and baby food (veggies still-almost fruits) for supper.

Sahara - posted on 04/11/2012

We started our daughter on cereal at 4 months and it really upset her tummy. We tried rice and oatmeal and then tried adding pears and it gave her horrible constipation and then gas and she was having a lot of tummy pain. We're going against the dr and holding off until her 6 month checkup..

Andrea - posted on 04/11/2012

My little one is almost 5 months I asked the doc at his 4 month needle appt and he said start slow with rice cereal or pablum remember do veggies first start with sweet potato peas or avocodo then meat then fruit. He you start with fruit first they won't want anything else. My sister made a point to wait til six months because it will be less likely of them developing intolerance to food. I say if they are satisfied with milk then wait they will let you know when they are ready

Melissa - posted on 04/11/2012

Hi Karen

She sounds like she's doing fine then you know when the timings right x and if she is sleeping so well she is obviously satisfied with her milk x also I think it's a girl thing my now six year old son was only 6lb 10oz and five weeks early but he also at about ten weeks started wanting more even though everyone and his dog (family to ) told me not to start with solids because he early x my nieces only ever took small amounts of milk but they put on weight and slept well to x mum instincts are the strongest feelings and emotions out there don't feel pressured into doing something you or little one are not ready for like I said before all babies are different x

Karen - posted on 04/10/2012

Hi Melissa, She was 6lb10oz at birth but seems to be very happy with milk and doesn't seem to be wanting any more after her feeds. She has stacked on the weight and you wouldn't know she was a teeny 6pounder at birth. She's sleeping 8-10hrs at night, so i don't think she needs the extra food yet, but i know its not too far away. (last night she went 12hrs without feeding) I've started giving her a spoon which she prompty puts in her mouth (well eveything goes in her mouth - she's teething too so its nice for her to chew on).



I know some babies do need that little bit of extra, but i'm pretty content with what i'm doing, it just frustrates me that my in-laws are driving me up the wall. But in saying that i haven't had the question in awhile, so maybe they've got the message that i'll do what i think is best. I'll prob start giving her rice cereal in the next week or so, i'm sure she'll love it.

Melissa - posted on 04/10/2012

Hey karen

One question is she happy with just her milk or is she starting to want more or taking an interest if you eat ?

My son was a good size at birth 8lb 13oz . And took quite a bit of milk which he was fine with until he got to about 10 weeks he wanted more and more to which I started to give him baby rice at breakfast and rusk in his night time bottle. He is now nearly six months old and eats anything I give him and enjoys his food . It's different for every child and not the textbook child the professionals expect them to be you know your baby go with your gut so to speak x happy to help if needed x