What are some suggestions when one is moving onto solids?

Sue - posted on 04/08/2012

Try rice cereal mixed with formula or even add a little apple sauce in it. You can spoon feed it to her or just try putting it in a bottle. This is probably an old remedy for the "milk is no longer enough" problem, but it worked for all my three large babies!!! Good luck!! ;)



Sue Adt

Edith - posted on 04/08/2012

I started my boys on baby rice ceral mixed with their milk when they were 2 and3 weeks. make it very thin to come out of a bottle with a little larger hole in their nipple I started it at bed time then worked up to 2 then 3 times a day. They slept all night and were happer then. My son and his wife did the same with the grandbaby. The younger of my 2 boys has downs so it had to be very thin

Mary - posted on 03/25/2012

Things sure have changed! I started with rice cereal at 6 weeks. 25 years later, he's healthy, no allergies and lived! LOL

Rachelle - posted on 03/22/2012

My children started solids at 2 months, we started withrice but none of them would eat it plain so we used carrots and yams then went to apple sauce and bananas. IMO every child has different tastes and ive always gone with what they like the first few months. I dont think it really matters as long as you only introduce one food at a time to watch for allergies.

Lita - posted on 03/21/2012

I was told by my pediatrician to give my preemie kids solid food by the time they were 4 months, because apparently milk wasn't enough for them. My boy kept getting hungry after big bottles and my girl had to have her bottle every 2 hours.

Ped told me to give them vegetables first, because kids are more likely to reject veggies after they taste the sweetness of fruit. I mixed thin rice cereal in the baby food.

Now at 9, my oldest loves brussel sprouts and bell peppers, while my youngest loves broccoli, carrots and cauliflower.

Jenni - posted on 03/20/2012

Speak to your doctor or maternal nurse first. I topped my child up with formula, trust me at four weeks she would empty my very full boobs first thing in the morning & 250mls formula! I ended up dry so we just used formula til she was the age to start solids, babies don't have the chewing action til a certain age. Eggs you have to be careful with as it can cause allergy reactions.We started off with mashed vegies then fruit. How do you know she isn't getting enough milk? On brestmilk babies do wake up sooner and are hungrier because they can digest the milk easily and is light on their tummy! Speak to a professional first before you make the decision. If Farex is your only option try prune juice to help her to digest it.Finally if your baby is putting on weight try not to stress to much and don't take it to heart as a you are not a bad mum. My child is now three and I swear she has five stomachs since she was born!!

Melissa - posted on 03/19/2012

bananas, or avocado are both good first foods. bananas most closely resemble breast milk as far as the sweetness.

Nikki - posted on 03/19/2012

The ONLY thing I would give her in addition to her milk is rice cereal. She is only 2 wks early to start on solid food anyway... rice cereal is very simple & easy on the stomach. It can be mixed with her milk so it is a familiar taste to her and she will probably love it. I seriously would not give anything else at all for another month or so.

Amanda - posted on 03/19/2012

Your the parent only you know what your child wants, my son is 7 now but he was a very hungrey baby and never gain any weight, we were worried and so was the docs, so what I did to help him out is cut a x into his bottle mix formula, cereal, and fruit for his nap and bed time, but I was also breastfeeding too, it fill him up pretty good I started at 3mnths with this, but when he was younger breast milk +formula was the only way I could fill him up, but see he was constipated through out his baby and toddler yrs, didnt matter what he had, and he wouldnt drink water, just recently(3 yrs ago) he started, the same with bread, its tuff figuring this stuff out but your parent only you know what to do, you could try lax for your baby, may help, my son started around 41/2 to 5 months on certain solid he started getting teeth at 4 months 4 at a time , so puree food wasnt always working for him, a liitle constipation should hurt him, my son is doing great and he not obese, he the opposite, cant get him to gain and hes ny little piggy, good luck your child will be fine

Mara - posted on 03/18/2012

3.5 months is really to early to be feeding anything but milk. Two rules of thumb are: Does she have any teeth yet? If not, it's too soon. If you were to try to feed her does she push the food back out with her tongue? If yes, it's too soon.

I have read that at four months a good supplement is an egg yolk per day, The recipe is boil egg for 3 1/2 minutes, peel, remove egg white and discard. Yolk should be soft and warm. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.

Small amounts of grated, raw, organic liver can be added at six months.

Teresa - posted on 03/18/2012

Latonya, FYI many, many babies are more than satisfied on 'nothing' but milk for 6 months or even longer. My son never took a bite of anything prior to 6 months and it had nothing to do w/ me not trying. He didn't know HOW to eat before then. Even when he did know how he really wasn't interested very often and wasn't eating solids on a daily basis til around a year. He's a very happy, healthy, thriving little boy who will be 4 in 9 days. ♥



Breast milk alone had him growing better and faster than any solids.

Sylvina - posted on 03/18/2012

Try adding cereal to the milk, that worked for me.

Sue - posted on 03/18/2012

If your baby is on formula, have you tried a hungry baby milk?

Stifler's - posted on 03/14/2012

If you peel hot dogs and chop into rounds they are ok renae and logan both love them

Nicole - posted on 03/14/2012

I started out with giving my daughters Cheerios, mashed potatoes, mashed carrots...stuff that is easy to chew or dissolves in their mouths so they don 't choke. As for meats, I liked hamburger. Hot dogs are choking hazards, even when cut up. You can cook hamburger or turkey burger so it crumbles really small. Leaner versions like ground chuck are good. Ground sausage...make sure to drain the grease. You can sit the meat on a paper towel to absorb it, too. Mashed sweet potatoes... And you don't have to buy that stuff pre-made. You can use things right in your kitchen all ready and it doesn't have all of the preservatives and cost a fortune.



And as for her age, it's all up to the child and the mother. You should be careful of certain foods that might cause allergies. I have three kids and they all had mashed potatoes, cheerios and even pancakes when they were 4 and 5 months old. As long as it's not too hard on their digestive system, and you will know if it is. Give it a go. Moderation is key and so is common sense.

Cristina - posted on 03/14/2012

I did rice cereal which worked great. Michelle is right so I would take all of her advice!

Amanda - posted on 03/13/2012

My son has had rice cereal in his bottles since he was 1 month old. The pediatrician had us begin this because He was always wanting to eat and fussing all the time prior to trying the rice in his bottle. We started with 1/2 teaspoon per ounce of liquid. We are now at 1 whole teaspoon per ounce, because that is what works for him. It made a huge difference! He doesn't fuss anymore for more food. Also, it made the transition to food easier, because he was somewhat familiar with the texture. Good luck!

Rachel - posted on 03/13/2012

When my daughter was that age I would put a little rice cereal in her milk for her lunch time and bedtime bottles. It seemed to satify her and she would sleep better at night.

Ivana - posted on 03/13/2012

You can also try to give her sweetened chamomile tea (one full teaspoon per 100ml water). I'm sure that will help. Pumpkin pyree and pumpkun juice, unsweetened could also help. I have twins. baby boy and a baby girl, they are 4 months old and since i've started giving them pumpkin, they have no problems.

Sana - posted on 03/12/2012

i think 5 months is suitable age for rice cereal.... 3.5 or 4 is little bit early

Jodi - posted on 03/11/2012

People are very good at ignoring the facts, aren't they? You shouldn't be giving babies solids until approximately 6 months (yes, there are risks), and you should never, EVER put cereal in a baby's bottle (yes, there are risks).



IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR BABIES PLEASE READ THE FACTS!!!

As supported by:

World Health Organization

UNICEF

US Department of Health & Human Services

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Dietetic Association

Australian National Health and Medical Research Council

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Health Canada



http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...

Rebecca - posted on 03/11/2012

She is still to young to be eating foods.. Use oatmeal in her bottles, why I say oatmeal is because its easier for them to digest.. Just use the oatmeal. I went through the same thing with my son and daughter.

Colleen - posted on 03/11/2012

It's up to your baby's tolerance. Start small if they handle it well move forward. None I mean none of my friends or moms I know waited 6 months, but it is your decision. Just keep in mind they are growing and get hungrier and hungrier. If you are breast feeding and don't feel comfortable, start with a higher fat formula. My breast milk did not contain a lot of fat, everyone is different, so it could be that too!! Good luck!!' ;)

Colleen - posted on 03/11/2012

Add some rice cereal in her bottle, if she tolerates that go ahead and move to a bowel and make it thicker. I did this with mine, she was clearly hungry. My mom laughed at me when I told her I read it's not good, she had four kids gave us all rice cereal within 1 month and none of us have issues. My doctor agreed. We as a society have become paranoid. Don't give her a steak or anything, use common sense!!









doctor agreed

Stifler's - posted on 03/11/2012

my baby and a lot of other babies are just fine drinking just milk for 6 months...

Latonya - posted on 03/11/2012

It really amazes me how people are so afraid to give advice because they are so afraid to go against a doctor! How do you think people fed their babies before formula, microwaves and Pampers? Around 3-4 months, babies were given smashed, puréed versions of whatever was in the fridge! Green beans, sweet potatoes, whatever! We need to use wisdom and take charge of our own health and lives. I always put my research and intuition over a doctor because I know doctors are too afraid to tell you what they do at home. There is a little something called malpractice insurance that keeps them from being real. Who in the world would be satisfied drinking milk ALL day for six months? Babies shouldn't be tortured for our fear and ignorance. Give that baby some cereal with its milk and just begin there. That alone will help! You will probably get a little gift of baby sleeping longer at night, if they aren't already. Use your own good sense, follow your babies lead and fill the tummy! You are surely too smart to give your child anything crazy! Bon appetit!

Christina - posted on 03/11/2012

feed her some real food. they have small food processors at the store. throw in what ever your having and feed that to her

Debbie - posted on 03/11/2012

Buy a packet of Farex and give your baby a couple of spoons made up in the morning before her bottle and it will fill the part of her tummy that the milk won't. My son was only 17 days old when he needed the top up. It is good for babies.

Kara - posted on 03/11/2012

I started my 3 mo old on oatmeal because the bottle wasn't enough, it doesnt constipated them as much as rice and will fill their bellies

Amy - posted on 03/11/2012

I would check with your pediatrician but I'm pretty sure 3 months is when I started my son with cereal!

Erin - posted on 03/11/2012

Just try to keep nursing as often as she wants. Your supply will keep up and adjust to her needs. If she is gaining weight, she's doing great. It really is best to wait until 6 months to feed anything else.

LaLasha - posted on 03/11/2012

Why makes you think your milk isn't enough? Frequent feelings are common in the frist few months because they grow so much as long as he is developing normally you're doing fine.

Gretchen - posted on 03/11/2012

From Hawaii - we use a food called poi. Google it and read about how helpful it is with babies. You can buy it in a dehydrated and powdered form. Might be a small hassle to mail order it, but it's so useful. Can add a bit of it to baby's bottle now, and in a month or two use it as a first solid food.

Lea - posted on 03/09/2012

Its an alternative to rice cereal but I am going to be starting feeding my daughter pureed fruit and vegies once she is use to the biscuit as I am taking it one step at a time

Stifler's - posted on 03/09/2012

I don't see why milk arrowroots mushed up is better than pureed vegetables or fruit. You can also get SMA formula from birth which is for hungry babies.

Lea - posted on 03/09/2012

Thanks for all your comments guys but I truely have to say I have been to a professional and she has said I am doing the right thing by giving her a little bit of solid with every second meal as that seems to satisfy her and she also said that the milk arrowroot biscuit mushed up is a good idea since my baby couldn't take to Farex baby rice cereal due to the high iron content (as that can constipate some babies too). So I am giving her 2 teaspoons of mushy biscuits with her milk as a chaser and she is passing that through very well. She has also said that my baby is very advanced for her aged and very healthy. I also want to say not everybody is blessed to breast feed I did it for a month but my breast milk wasn't enough so the mid wife said go to the formula and she shot through the formula feeding recommendations very fast. I was feeding 9oz plus (1 cup +) 5 times a day and still she wanted more and that is why I looked into giving her a little bit of solids with her milk.

Deola - posted on 03/09/2012

A bit of cereal in her milk and more milk, my son is 9 months (second child) and he used to eat every 2 hours and I had pretty much the same problem till I introduced cereal at 4 months. If you can, try and wait till 4 months before trying any other thing apart from milk.

Kate CP - posted on 03/07/2012

"HI Guys My daughter is 3.5 months and milk isn't enough for her.I have tried Farex but that seems to constipate her. I am thinking about Milk arroroot biscuits or egg yoke... Is there anything else I could try? or is this something I have to ride out until her little body gets use to it? "



It constipated her because her body can't digest food yet. Duh.

Teresa - posted on 03/07/2012

But Julianne.... people did it 50 years ago and not everyone died, so it MUST be ok.... lol



Dude, I used rice cereal (and a lot of it) on my girls at 3.5 months and they never had any issues and I still won't ever recommend it... why? Because I'm not holding to what I believed even 10 years ago. I know better, so I mention better. :)

Julianne - posted on 03/07/2012

If you give Karo syrup to a baby especially one under 12 months they can suffer from sever dehydration and die. Its extremely dangerous



I don't understand where people are getting all this information. Do you actually take this advice yourselves or are just throwing out these dangerous suggestions to see if she listens? Please don't take any of this ridiculous advice.





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



This site was developed using information from top pediatricians and drs around the world. Read this article and your question is answered. No food before 6 month and especially no laxatives for infants.



http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/20...



Heres a pdf on proper feedings at 6+ months. NOTICE THAT IT DOES NOT SAY RICE CEREAL AS A FIRST FOOD BECAUSE IT IS NOT A HEALTHY FIRST FOOD TO CHOOSE. IT IS IN NO WAY BENEFICIAL TO ANY CHILD. IT IS ACTUALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU PUT IT IN THEIR BOTTLES.

Those that suggest rice cereal is fine because they used it and their kids are fine are LUCKY their kids are fine. It is not only dangerous, but a useless food.

Geanette - posted on 03/07/2012

For constipation, try adding a teaspoon of White Karo syrup to the bottle/cereal.

Teresa - posted on 03/07/2012

Back in the olden, olden, olden days... kids were breastfed or they died.... Formula was created so that those kids that couldn't be breastfed or didn't have a wet nurse... wouldn't die. I would assume that cereal in the bottle was started because some kids don't follow what people consider 'normal'... because all kids are different.



My twins were schedule fed from birth (3 hours between feeds) and did fine.... My son never would've tolerated that schedule as there were times I nursed him when he had just nursed 45 minutes ago. The kid didn't go longer than 4 hours between nursing til he was a year and a half... even though his big sisters had happily weaned by 15 months.



EVERY kid is different, but at 3.5 months the only answer should be more breast milk or formula.

Cherie - posted on 03/07/2012

I completely agree. Look at how babies were fed back in the olden days they hardly got sick or had allergies. The way I see it is if it ain't broke don't fix it. I put cereal in all 3 of my sons bottles at night time starting at 2 mths. and they did great.

Julianne - posted on 03/07/2012

omg. Please stop recommending putting rice cereal in a babies bottle. IT CAN KILL YOUR BABY! Its a perfect way to choke a baby. Food is for eating NOT DRINKING. Besides that, its high in calories and has no nutritional value. Which means JUNK FOOD.

Tine - posted on 03/07/2012

At 3.5 months, she needs milk. If you're breastfeeding let her feed when she wants to; frequent feeding brings in the extra milk she needs.

What makes you think she isn't getting enough? Is her weight dropping off or is it just that she seems hungry a lot? As someone else pointed out, it is no doubt a growth spurt and her frequent need to breast (or bottle) feed is simply her way of getting as much milk as she needs.

No other food at this stage is a whole food for babies, only breastmilk or formula should be fed, as the digestive system is not ready (as you've discovered) to start trying solids until at least 6 months.

Max - posted on 03/06/2012

Besides allergic reactions, honey can also cause infant botulism, a potentially fatal disease in babies. PLEASE DO NOT FEED HONEY TO A BABY UNDER 1 YEAR OF AGE!!!



Also not good for babies are nuts and eggs.



Feeding cereal from a bottle is not necessary.

Tiffany - posted on 03/06/2012

Try and add rice cereal to her milk buy mot too much where she cant suck on the bottle

Carrie - posted on 03/06/2012

My son was the same way, and we went to rice formula. The thicker consistency seemed to hold him better. Yes, doctors now suggest that solid foods should wait until at least 6 months, but we started him between 3.5 and 4 months without any problems. We started with green beans, then peas, then sweet potato. Fruits will have a tendency to cause loose(r) stools because of the higher sugar content.

Shawn - posted on 03/06/2012

Please do not give your child egg yolk, it's proven to cause allergies, so does honey, nuts, and some grains. Try rice cereal or other light grains mixed in her bottle. If they constipate her two table spoons of light Karo syrup will help. Yes I know that they don't recommend Karo anymore, but two centuries of mothers used it to help their children and there were no consequences and I believe in experience over experiments.

Miranda - posted on 03/06/2012

I am sorry but some moms ARE physically unable to breast feed their children. So posting scarry information about formula doesnt help when maybe they are already hurting or feeling bad that they can not feed their child naturally. Try feeding your baby more milk. Formula or BF. If there still seems to be a problem please call your doctor. Baby may be growing and needing more, colicky, or having reflux. Stop the solids. She is not ready for them unless ordered by a doctor.