Waiting until 6 months to give ANYTHING other than formula.

Jessica - posted on 03/31/2009

im waiting! they say it causes allergies especially if there is eczema in the family, which there is in mine!

Donette - posted on 03/27/2009

I felt like I had to start her a little before 4 months because the formula just wasn't enough. She was extremely fussy and always hungry. It also helped her start sleeping through the night better.

Elizabeth - posted on 03/27/2009

Nope, you aren't the only one. I waited until my daughter was two weeks before her half birthday, and then it was just a little bit of rice cereal every other day until we hit the six month mark. You can start as early as 4 months, but to minimize allergies, you should wait until 6 months.



And as a side note...wow! 23 pounds at six months! That is a big boy!! lol

Sarah - posted on 03/27/2009

No, babies are absolutely not supposed to be weaned by 1 year of age. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for a MINIMUM of 2 years and the world average is around 4 years old. Sadly, the U.S. and Australia have some of the worst breastfeeding statistics in the world- Only 18 -20% of babies are breastfed after 6 months of age. Nutritionally, breastfed babies do NOT need anything else before 12 months as the breastmilk provides fantastic and adequate nutrition. That doesn't mean that solids can't be introduced before 12 months but it is really more about exploration and discovery than eating/nutrition. Pushing babies to eat solids so early is a byproduct of formula as formula alone does not provide adequate nutrition for babies over 6 mo. Studies are now coming out saying 6 - 8 months is a much more appropriate age to start introducing solids, but ultimately let your baby be your guide. Keeping baby gluten free, limiting cow's dairy and avoiding the nightshades (tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, and potatoes) until 12 months of age is also best.

Crystal - posted on 03/26/2009

I’m going to feed her before she is one but they don’t need any thing if you’re BF before one b/c it’s in the BM. There is no time line to BF. I will BF past a year myself but it’s not for every one.  The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until at least 2 years of age.  

Rebekah - posted on 03/26/2009

Quoting Crystal:

Yes My baby is almost 7mo and has not had anything other then breast milk. My dr and friends keep after me to feed her just not ready to do so. She only needs BM why feed them if they dont need it.

Aren't babies supposed to be weaned by 1 year of age? I'm hoping mine weans by that time, that's why I started solids early and he's now eating more solids but increased his milk intake too.  But the doctor said he would decrease milk intake, not true, my son increased! haha Hungry boy!!! :) I don't mind, just hoping I can wean him at age 1 or soon after.

Crystal - posted on 03/26/2009

Yes My baby is almost 7mo and has not had anything other then breast milk. My dr and friends keep after me to feed her just not ready to do so. She only needs BM why feed them if they dont need it.

Crystal - posted on 03/26/2009

Yes My baby is almost 7mo and has not had anything other then breast milk. My dr and friends keep after me to feed her just not ready to do so. She only needs BM why feed them if they dont need it.

Crystal - posted on 03/26/2009

Yes My baby is almost 7mo and has not had anything other then breast milk. My dr and friends keep after me to feed her just not ready to do so. She only needs BM why feed them if they dont need it.

Crystal - posted on 03/26/2009

Yes My baby is almost 7mo and has not had anything other then breast milk. My dr and friends keep after me to feed her just not ready to do so. She only needs BM why feed them if they dont need it.

Cindy - posted on 03/25/2009

When Jesse was 4 mnths old his Baby Doc had him start on Rice cereal then Oatmeal. He's now 6 mnths old and is eating everything. He was only 4lbs 9oz at birth and has caught up to 17lbs 7oz at 6 mnths.

Natalie - posted on 03/25/2009

My health visitor advised me to keep to formula till my son was at least 4 months but he was 4 1/2 months when i introduced solids! I would give it a try if u think ur little one is ready, it wont do any harm! x

Amber - posted on 03/25/2009

I tried feeding my daughter at 4 months like the doctor said but her stomach couldn't handle it, she had digestive problems at birth. So I stopped and decided to wait till 6 months. I have been giving her oatmeal cereal since she couldn't tolerate rice for about 3 days now and so far so good.

Carley - posted on 03/18/2009

You are def not alone my lil one will be 6 months on the 25th and he grabs at our food all the time but I've heard that if they can't sit up on their own their digestive systems might not be ready so I'm waiting for him to be able to sit up on his own... I knew of twins that didn't have a bite of food until their 1st birthday and they did fine and def didn't starve. Hang in there I would actually suggest waiting until he can sit up on his own... good luck

Jen - posted on 03/18/2009

My little boy went on solids at 5 months.  He was taking more and more formula.  When I hit 1 litre per day (4x 9oz bottles) I decided to start solids.  Each child is different.  Best for you to go with what you think and what you think is best for your baby

On a side note I started him on baby rice for about 5 days and then did vege's first.  Have been told that they should have savoury before the sweet.  He has had veges daily for 3 weeks and have just started giving him fruit for breakfast.

He's loving it.

Jessica - posted on 03/18/2009

I waited until he was 6 months.  We took my son to his 6 month check up on Monday and the Doctor said we could start with the cereal so today is his 3rd day on it.  I know a lot of people who started feeding their babies earlier than what I did but I felt better waiting until the Doctor gave me the okay.

Cynthia - posted on 03/16/2009

our second son turned 6 months and we started the same day. With our first son I had to start at just over five months as he was feeding nearly every hour and I needed a break I was totally drained. So each baby seems to have their own schedule.

Angela - posted on 03/16/2009

I started my son at 4 months...thats what our doc recommeded. He now eats twice a day...oat cereal with fruit in the morning  and cereal with veggies at night. I'm planning on starting him on 2nd foods as soon as I've introduced all the 1st foods. My son loves it and eats everything I make him at each sitting. He is about 5 1/2 months.

Jaclyn - posted on 03/10/2009

My doctor adviced me to start my daughter on rice cereal at 4 months and then at 5 months she started oatmeal. I just recently started her on vegetables, and she is 5 months and 3 weeks.



I've read to wait until 6 months and I was on my way to doing that, but I figured that her doctor knows more then I would know about that stuff.

Uma - posted on 03/10/2009

Hi.. my baby is also the same age as yours but i started him on solids at 5 months on doc's advice -- he's thriving loves his food -- organic brown rice cereal etc.. but hates avacado (just found that out yesterday) and things that are gooey and green. I think it's safe for you to feed you baby cereals now -- just look for baby rice cereals, try one tablespoon first with formula of BM, then add more as the baby progresses.

Amanda - posted on 03/10/2009

thanks everyone!

Gemma - posted on 03/08/2009

i dont think a doc/health vistor can tell u wen 2 give food your baby will tell u tyler is allergic 2 dairy and is on soya milk he has been taken food since 4mths old he wasnt taken any milk our gaining weight..he 20 wks now and since goin on 2 food he gone from 10lb to 12lb 1 oz so it helping himxx

Linzee - posted on 03/08/2009

hey there, i am waiting for my boy to be 6 months, my Plunket Nurse said not to start him any later and they have found that if you start them too early they sometimes have digestive problems. i started just giving him a taste every now and then from 4 months to see what he would do, and i have been told they give you different signs as to when they might be ready, he started showing some of these signs but am still holding off for the last couple of weeks. its hard to know who's advise to follow, so just go with what you think is right. i have a pretty good trusting relationship with my Plunket Nurse so i find her advise really affects my decision when it comes to these types of situations.

Tammy - posted on 03/08/2009

We started him at 14 weeks, as the milk seemed to be going straight thro him, we took him to the doctors four times and they couldnt find anything wrong with him, he had runny stools for 12 days and everytime he had a bottle,  my health visitor suggested starting him on baby rice and 2 days later all was fine, we couldnt believe it. He has been on solids since and he is 27 weeks old now and we have never looked back, we feel it was the best thing we did. Of course he is still on baby milk but has had no probs since being on solids.

Lisa - posted on 03/08/2009

with my first child they said 4 months but my daughter they said 6 months. they are just wathing there back for obiesaty and heart dieses later on in life. i started both my children at 4 months. they are both fine and happy. if ur baby is happy with just his bottle then keep it that way. either way it isnt doing any harm.

Dyanne - posted on 03/07/2009

My son is 6 months now, but he started eating cereal at 4 months. He is a big boy; he weighed 16lbs at 4 months and he could sit up for a few minutes by himself at that time. I waited to get the okay from his ped, and when I went she said he was more than ready for cereal. He loves his cereal and has now graduated to fruits and vegetables.

Rebekah - posted on 03/06/2009

I got the OK at 4 months because we don't have any allergies in the family and he was eating so much formula, more than what he supposed to intake in a 24-hour period, plus he was showing every sign.  So we did cereals first, then moved to veggies.  Tried fruits, but he's not ready for them, so doctor told us to wait until 9 months to try again with fruit.  If still can't do them then, she's going to run some tests.  We're hoping he doesn't have a sugar problem. :P

Missi - posted on 03/06/2009

My daughter was a tiny little thing and she needed to start on solids at 4 1/2 months.  My son is a pretty big boy and still isn't on solids.  We tried a few weeks ago, but he wasn't interested.  He'll be 6 months on the 25th.  Anytime 4-6 months is fine, you know your baby better than anyone.

Jane - posted on 03/06/2009

my son has allergies too it doesnt really matter when you start as long as they're ready and the doc says its ok. if they are going to have allergies they will have them regardless. its just a case of doing things slowly so you can see what he reacts to and what he doesnt.

Jane - posted on 03/06/2009

doctors can only give you advice as every child is different where this is concerned. my doctor told me it was fine for my son to start early as he was having far to much milk otherwise. he took to it really well. i started when my baby was ready. the doctor also said us mums know our children much better than any text book and we know when the time is right. both of mine have had to start young there was no way they could of waited till they were 6 months. good luck anyway :0)

Kathy - posted on 03/05/2009

I was waiting too... Christian will be 6 months next week and I started him on veggies last week. My mother keeps telling me how she was feeding her kids soup by 4 months, and she doesn't understand why I won't give him anything more than formula!!

Amanda - posted on 03/05/2009

Emma, i didnt say you were talking about my baby, i know you said your baby. The problem with forums is that you cant express actuall emotion in typed words, sorry for any confusion. I actually agree, i should of just started him a little earlier, i just gave him his first feeding of cereal yesterday, and he loved it!

Gemma - posted on 03/04/2009

hi i started to wean my lil man at 4months althou told 2 wait untill he was 6month .but bottles wernt enuf hes now 5month n is alot happier in himself sleeps throu from 8pm 2 7 am so all good 4 me 2lol

Jennifer - posted on 03/03/2009

Then start him off with rice cereal and take it one day at a time otherwise you will never get him on it

Francesca - posted on 03/03/2009

Yes ..he is !! My daughter is 5 mos and 18lbs and I started her on cereal with her formula at 4.5 mos and now she eats gerber stage 1 foods at 5 mos old...she can eat and she was ready too evert baby us different ...but your li guy certianly isn't getting full on just milk...

Chelsea - posted on 03/03/2009

If you've gotten the answer to your question you can lock this convo.  Just a tip if you're satisfied.  If he's sitting up and doesn't push things out of his mouth with his tongue then he is getting ready and should make a smooth transition when he turns 6 months.   Great job waiting!!!

Misty - posted on 03/03/2009

My daughter is 6 months old tomorrow and I started her on cereal and purees last week.

She was exclusivily breast fed and my milk supply was not keeping up. She was hungry and upset all of the time until we did rice cereal. Now she's fine and I don't have to worry about her running our of food.

My doctor did say to wait until she was 6 months old, but i figure 1 week early won't hurt...

Emma - posted on 03/03/2009

i never said YOUR baby was starving.. if you read the post again i said MY baby was starving and i was not going to make her wait.. im sorry if you thought i meant your baby but i clearly did state my baby.. the problem with these forums is they cause alot of confusion..

Amanda - posted on 03/03/2009

Thanks everyone! For Chelsea, my baby can sit up on his own, and is definately interested in what we eat, and Emma, he's definately not starving if he doesnt know what hes missing, and hes 24 pounds so thats definately another clue i know hes not starving! Im not just waiting for the sake of waiting, im waiting because things always change, and i dont want to push food on him to early. Its quite a big step for someone whose been sucking on a bottle for so long!

Danielle - posted on 03/02/2009

my son is six months and going onto stage 2 veggies  by my doctors advice and he does wonderful with them. he has had no negative reaction to any of the foods he has been given and is even trying to spoon feed himself. of course, im not letting him...apart from hiom being to little to di it I want to enjoy the babyness for a bit! he also drinks from a sippy cup already too.

Jessica - posted on 03/02/2009

You're not alone!  If I went by what everyone else says then I would have started my LO on solids months ago.  But I'm not going to until he is 6 months old even though he is showing all the signs of being ready and has been for a while now.  Btw, my pedi said that solids can be introduced between 4 and 6 months but he was leaving it up to me when to start.  His wife waited until 6 ms. with their kids as well.

Lea - posted on 03/02/2009

this is the rule only for breastfed babies. for bottle fed babies it is recomennded that you introduce solids after 4 months....

Michele - posted on 03/02/2009

My boy is 22 lbs at 5 months 1 week..........I saw my ped on Friday who promptly told me to start fruits and veggies.  I started cereal at 4mths on her suggestion.  So we are 4 days in and he loves veggies.  So its really up to you.........its not going to hurt him either way.  My son does have a milk allergy and the doc tells me fruits and veggies are low chance of allergy.  Good luck in whatever you decide.

Kathryn Denise - posted on 03/02/2009

i am waiting also.... 14 more days for my princess.

Lyndsey - posted on 03/02/2009

I started my daughter on cereal at 5 mos, and plan to introduce baby food at 6 mos. My Dr. said you can start cereal anytime from 4 - 6 mos, and that the purpose is not for nutritional reasons but more so that the baby gets used to moving food to the back of the throat to swallow. So, it sounds perfectly fine to start at 4 months or to wait until 6.

Brooke - posted on 03/02/2009

I waited up untill last week (Poppy turned 6months on the 1st) and her first 2 feeds or rice cereal and breastmilk runny mush were fun, more playing that anything. However, I think Im going to keep exclusively nursing her for a little while longer as she is still extruding with her tounge despite having been verrrrrrrrrrrry interested in what ever we eat for the past 2 months or so. She has always refused a bottle so has never had anyting other than Mummy as her diet so far ;)

Alisha - posted on 02/28/2009

It totally depends on the baby. You can tell if your baby is drinking milk and is still not satisfied. But still talk to your ped. My daughters ped said that starting too early in a family with a history of allergies can cause the baby to develop food allergies. SiSi is eating cereal with fruit now and she is almost 5 1/2 months.

Emma - posted on 02/28/2009

my baby was breastfed.. then at 3 months my milk dried up.. tried everything.. nothing worked.. i put her on formula.. she was soooo hungry so i put her on hungrier milk.. she could not take anymore milk but was still not satisfird.. so i put her on solids at 4 months.. i would not have dreamt of leaving her to starve for 2 months just so i can say ''i waited''.

User - posted on 02/28/2009

Then why are you waiting? Allergies?

Nichole - posted on 02/28/2009

MY son will be 6 months in a few days, and honestly he has been on solids for about a month and half now, and hes done awesome with it, no issues or anything, and hes cut down on his formula,