first stage food

Cassie - posted on 06/30/2011

Always remember that recommendations (whether from US, AAP, or your pediatrician) are exactly that: recommendations. You have to make the right decision for your child. I would check with his/her DR first, and then decide for yourself. I too have read from kellymom about waiting till 6 months. However, my son has had tummy issues and is generally a fussy baby. When I introduced solids he became MUCH (!!!!!!!) happier!! It was as if all he needed was a full belly :) I am breastfeeding him and it was becoming exhausting feeding him every 2 hours. Also remember that Kellymom is based on breastfeeding moms too -- If you read the other information, it is very, shall we say, right-wing when it discusses any topic (no pacis at all, breastfeed exclusively till 6 mos, etc - my perception of it is that it's geared towards moms that are willing and able to shape the rest of their life around breastfeeding their baby). Breastfeeding is going AWESOME with my son, but I don't let it dictate our schedule or run our life. So I take the advice I get from Kellymom and kind of lighten it up a bit for our situation. Also for example I started my son on OATMEAL cereal, not rice cereal, because he had tummy issues and the oatmeal has better fiber and more substance to it.
All in all you have to just know your baby and make the decision you think is right for you, your baby, and your family (everyone else is happier when baby is happy too!!!) :) hope this helps!

Cassie - posted on 06/20/2011

I started with cereal at 4 months, and followed with baby food shortly after.

Rachele - posted on 05/31/2011

I started solids around 4 months with both my kids. Both are doing really well eating and have no allergies or problems. AAP guidlines are just that, guidlines. Every baby needs and wants solids at different times. My son is 4 months old and 19 pounds... he was draining 8-9 ounce bottles every few hours... he was ready, without a doubt. Since I started feeding him solids he sleeps through the night and is generally way more content :)

Shayne - posted on 05/31/2011

My daughters pediatrician told me at her 4 month appt that I could introduce cereal for a couple weeks and then start trying fruits and veggies. she suggested veggies first so she doesnt get used to sweet stuff and end up wanting only that. when you introduce something new you have to wait 3-4 days to introduce another new thing to watch for allergic reactions. My daughter loved the taste of the baby applesauce but it gave her horrible diarrhea for 2 days. So no applesauce lol. and like Charlotte said, look for the signs that your baby is ready, my daughter showed all the signs before i ever went to her 4 month appt but I wait until I could talk to her pediatrician first before starting a single grain cereal.

Charlotte - posted on 05/16/2011

I was told by my pediatrician, not until 6 months. Apparently the AAP guidelines have been changed from 4-6 months, to 6 months. Although I will say my friend's son showed all the signs of being developmentally ready to eat and he is only 4 months old. Here is a list of the developmental signs:
Baby can sit up well without support.
Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
Baby is ready and willing to chew.
Baby is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger. Using the fingers and scraping the food into the palm of the hand (palmar grasp) does not substitute for pincer grasp development.
Baby is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...