when to start feeding food

Jenny - posted on 05/14/2009

Tamara - so so so true!! < but I don't think they're listening :-( >
Can you imagine if mothers demanded their babies were induced at 6 or 7 months into pregnancy because their mother's instinct made them sure the baby was ready to be born.

Tamara - posted on 05/14/2009

Quoting Brooke:

I do not believe solids should be started before 4 months.. There are a lot of babies like mine who try to grab food etc. Yes my daughter is only 3 1/2 months old and she loves food she has had a taste of a couple of things but never actually swallowed it. I will start her on food as soon as my Dr. says but until then i continue to feed her formula. I understand everyone has there own opinion but i think for those mums out there listen to your heart. To say your child should not start solids because of the following reasons is ridiculous, dont starve your child if you think they need more.

If you looked at the link, you can see there are actual scientific studies to back up the list I pulled from that site.  If a child shows signs of still being hungry before 6 months, that simply means nurse them more (or give more bottles if formula feeding).  It does not mean start them on foods that they are in no way ready to digest.

From that same link, this time quoting a literature review in regards to solids readiness (bold is my emphasis):

In April 2001, a literature review () "of the developmental readiness of normal full term infants to progress from exclusive breastfeeding to the introduction of complementary foods" was jointly published by Wellstart International and the LINKAGES Project. Per the authors, "The review does not focus on health outcomes associated with discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding at a particular age but rather on the biologic/developmental readiness for this complex experience. Four processes or functions were selected for inclusion: gastrointestinal, immunologic, oral motor and the maternal reproductive processes that relate to the continuation of lactation and the provision of breastmilk."
Following are some of the conclusions of this review:

"Thus, exclusive breastfeeding to about six months allows the infant to have greater immunologic protection and limit the exposure to pathogens at a vulnerable age. This in turn permits the energy and nutrients that might otherwise be diverted to provide for immunologic responses to be available and utilized for other growth and developmental processes."

"These clinical reports indicate that the majority of normal full term infants are not developmentally ready for the transition from suckling to sucking or for managing semi-solids and solid foods in addition to liquids until between 6 and 8 months of age."

"Using this available information on the development of oral motor function, maternal reproductive physiology and development of the infant’s immunologic and gastrointestinal function, the expert review team concluded that the probable age of readiness for most full term infants to discontinue exclusive breastfeeding and begin complementary foods appears to be near six months or perhaps a little beyond. The also felt that there is probable convergence of such readiness across the several relevant processes."

"The consensus opinion of the expert review group was that given the available information and the lack of evidence of significant harm to either normal mothers or normal infants, there is no reason to conclude that exclusive breastfeeding should not continue to six months."

Mel - posted on 05/14/2009

every baby is different so it depends when your baby starts showing signs of wanting food. I was always told if they are watching you eating or if formula is not filling them enough. My daughters dietician told us to start her on solids at 3 months which is a good age but id start with pureed fruits and vegies rather then cereal because it causes constipation.

formula can be stopped and you can switch to regular milk at 12 months providing your child has no medical issues or is under weight

Tara - posted on 05/14/2009

6 months old is what I've always been told, as well as the guidelines listed by Tamara. You also don't need to start your baby on rice cereal any longer either. They can eat almost anything, right from the age of 6 months, stay away from egg whites, peanut butter (it's just sticky & hard for them to swallow), honey (because a lot of them are unpasteurized), raisons & nuts (easy to choke on) or any food items that you or your immediate family may have allergies to. You can start them on really tender meats, dairy products, rice, potatoes, just make sure everything is small enough that they won't choke on it or mash it up. Follow the same rules that you would for the cereals & baby food ie: give the baby something to try, wait 2-3 days before introducing something new, that way you know if there's an allergic reaction to the food (it can take that long for a reaction to show up). If everything is fine move on to something new. Do try to save sweeter fruits for last though, because once they get a taste for the sweet stuff, it can be difficult for them to want to eat their veggies. If you'd rather start them on the cereals & then the baby foods, that's ok too, I just wanted to let you know that everyday food is fine, I have heard stories from other moms about babies having a hard time adjusting to regular food after eating baby foods for too long though, they start to like the pureed foods (let's face it, there's no work involved to eat it) & then that's all they want. Good Luck with your decision & have fun with it, it's an exciting milestone for baby!

Jenny - posted on 05/14/2009

Exactly!!
I'm really distressed to read all these old wives tales STILL being told to new mothers!
Your baby will NOT let you know about solid food! My baby wanted a Snickers bar at 12 weeks but she also wanted a piece of coal and the fluff off the carpet - but you know what - I know better than a 12 week old and I didn't let her have it!

Please, please, please do your own reading of the World Healh Organisation guidelines - do not be persuaded by rumours and well-meant but frankly totally wrong gossip. Or worse the guidelines on baby jars and packets which contravene ALL advertising standards legislation. Get informed and educated mums - you owe it to your children!

All babies are different which is why some may not be ready for solids until later than 6 months NOT before.

Sarah - posted on 05/14/2009

this varies and medical staff , have differing opinions about when to start weaning . my two both started on babyrice , 12 months is age when u can put your child on cows milk

Cheryl - posted on 05/14/2009

A babys digestive tract is really not mature enough to handle food until 6 months old and this is what is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Anything else goes against current medical advice. Stuffing baby early in the hopes they will sleep longer is a disservice to your child.

Judy - posted on 05/14/2009

Hi there, I think I agree with Elaine on this one. Your baby will let you know. I started Benita on the rice cereal, only 1 tsp before bottle, using the formula milk to mix it. and once she got use to that, i increased it and then started on soft foods like pumpkin, mash etc, but very soft. Gem Squash etc. But again, your child will let you know, never fear. instinct will kick in. It sure did with me....... :) God Bless.....

Jenny - posted on 05/14/2009

Unfortunately starting solids after 6 months is not an opinion. It's scientifically proven advice. The Kellymom link is superb.
A baby's gut is not developed enough to digest solids until at least 6 months - the digestive enzymes are still developing. Introducing solids too young puts huge strain on the internal organs and the results often don't show until the child is older. Which is why we hear so much of the "never did me any harm" talk.

Why do you think we now have such an enormous rise in food intolerances, allergies, Crohns Disease and IBS. Because the weaning age was too low.

If your baby was born 8 weeks premature, you would be worried about it's development. Just because you cannot see what is going on inside your baby's digestive system, doens't mean it still needs to mature. Why introduce solids 8 or even more weeks early?? With all the evidence and medical advice saying wait? Bizarre choice!

When it comes to the health of my children I follow the most up to date medical and scientific advice that's out there. Following my heart would not be a healthy choice for my babies I feel.

Brooke - posted on 05/14/2009

Quoting Tamara:

Solids should be started no sooner than 6 months old and only if your child meets the following developmental milestones:

Signs that indicate baby is developmentally ready for solids include:

* 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...

I do not believe solids should be started before 4 months.. There are a lot of babies like mine who try to grab food etc. Yes my daughter is only 3 1/2 months old and she loves food she has had a taste of a couple of things but never actually swallowed it. I will start her on food as soon as my Dr. says but until then i continue to feed her formula. I understand everyone has there own opinion but i think for those mums out there listen to your heart. To say your child should not start solids because of the following reasons is ridiculous, dont starve your child if you think they need more.

?? - posted on 05/12/2009

When you feel your baby is ready for food. Gabriel only breast fed until he was 3 months. Then he had breast milk & formula for 2 weeks, then just formula. At 5 months I started him on rice cereal. He didn't like it from a bowl so I put it in his bottle. He has formula & rice cereal in his bottle for breakfast and before bedtime. A couple weeks later I started him on veggies for dinner. And then a couple weeks later, fruit for lunch. Now at 6 months he has formula & rice cereal for breakfast, fruit for lunch, formula for afternoon snack, veggies for dinner, formula after dinner, and formula with rice cereal before bedtime. He also has a sippy cup with water that he will drink from as he pleases and we will be starting to put 100% juices watered down in his sippy cup in a couple weeks.



Trust your instincts, ask your doctor. Each baby is different. Each baby wants and needs different things at different times. If you feel your baby is ready then ask your doctor and go from there. Your doctor will know your baby better than anyone on here, and you know your baby better than your doctor so you and your doctor are the best 2 people to consult when it comes to your baby :)

Carissa - posted on 05/12/2009

I have 6 kids and I breast fed them for 1 year long. Then started formula bottles and fed them rice cereal and oatmeal. Then I slowly added veggetables first then fruit so I would not give them a sweet tooth lol. I also started to let them drink 100% juises watered down alot. If they only drink milks they will have alot more conjestion. I stopped giving them a bottle before bed so I wouldn't rought their teeth. But if you bootle feed them I would suggest to do the same thing.

Tamara - posted on 05/11/2009

Solids should be started no sooner than 6 months old and only if your child meets the following developmental milestones:

Signs that indicate baby is developmentally ready for solids include:

* 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...

Jessica - posted on 05/11/2009

Both the doctors my son had said to start whole milk when he was a year old.

Elaine - posted on 05/11/2009

I found that once my son was have a full bottle every 3 hours and still cryig for more was the time to introduce solids. It doesn't matter what doctors or midwives say it all depends on your child. I also found that giving him his solids first then his milk was more beneficial as he ate more solids that way. I swapped to full fat milk once he was 9 months as he was having 3 full meals a day and nine ounces of milk after each. It worked out cheaper and he enjoyed it more than formula xx

Gina - posted on 05/11/2009

Your doctor is a wonderful source for this information. I asked my doctor everything as I was a first time mom. I had no idea what to do and when to start. I was given so many suggestions and they were all different. Because the doctor sees how your baby is developing they will also be able to let you know when they can start on rice ceral. Not all babies are ready at 4 or 5 months but really your doctor should and will be able to help you with all the feeding needs. As far as formula, I was told at 12 months of age you start to ween from formula to whole milk but with our son it was to soy milk. Again these are all great questions to ask your doctor.

Keisha - posted on 05/11/2009

Your doctor should have given you some guidelines to follow, but generally you would start rice cereal around 4 or 5 months and gradually move on from there (oatmeal, 1st foods (fruits or veggies first...depends on who you ask), 2nd foods, etc.). Around 12 months is when they suggest giving the child whole milk to drink.