Will it harm my baby?

Charlie - posted on 08/05/2010

Great post theresa fuge

Shauneen - posted on 08/05/2010

It will not harm a baby to put off solids until they are 6 months, infact it is in their best interests. It will harm them to give it to them earlier, by pycically changing their immature gut linning. Sets them up for problems for the rest of their lives including food allergies. Introduction of soilds too early means your baby is missing out on the goodness of breastmilk and may cause nutritional deffencey and the weight gain caused can be an indicator of this. Foods that we are allergic to get stored as body fat. Overweight babies become overweight, then often overweight adults... this is an increasing problem that does shorten a persons life.

There is nothing to gain my feeding early so why would you start? Don't race baby through his/ her stages before they are ready.

Angela - posted on 08/05/2010

well, you could just always give her more grains than anything, rice, oatmeal, etc. Might make it easier on her tummy. But would not cut her out completely if you have already started her, but would watch what I gave her. Good luck.

Karen - posted on 08/05/2010

Mum started my brother on solids(rice cereal) at about 4 weeks old as he was so hungry he is now 36 no allergies and no obesity hes a tank ( the word my teenage girls use lol), but apparently i didnt start till about 4 months, he was always hungry i wasn't.... all 3 of my girls started solids at diff time go with your gut your the one always with them you just know

Theresa - posted on 08/05/2010

@ laura. when you say to educate more about long term breastfeeding.....what is it you wanted to know??

Theresa - posted on 08/05/2010

I had to put my son onto formula as he had bitten me so severely i needed stitches. by the time i had started to heal, i had developed mastitis and it would have been dangerous to his health for me to feed him with what i had as i had no way of knowing if the milk would be infected, even after expressing for a while.

sorry, i forgot to put that into my post.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/05/2010

Theresa that sounds so well thought through and you sounds quite informed about nutrition and such, but I am wondering why you would wean to formula just because of biting? Almost every baby bites at some point some bite really hard, some draw blood. But theres really no need to wean to formula. There is many methods to teaching babies not to bite.
I know whats done is done, but maybe with all of your knowledge about nutrition you could also educate on full term breastfeeding (2years minimum)
I loved how you answered but just was caught off guard with you saying you weaned to formula at 6 months due to biting.
Please I mean no offense, I just hope you can educate more on this.

Theresa - posted on 08/05/2010

@ jennett - LOL....in the time it took me to write my "essay" of a comment, you actually commented on charlene's post!!! i thought i was the onyl one that noticed the 34 children......OMG!!! no tv or radio obviously......lol

Jen - posted on 08/05/2010

i have never had a problem when i gave my son solids at a early age, his dr. said that moms know best but they dont recomend it but it isnt like you are givin her a lot of solids so i mean my son was fine and i gave him solids pry bout 9-10 weeks as well and he was fine but i didnt giv e it to him every meal just a few spoon fulls of baby food once a day :) but one good thing that is ALL NATURAL would be yogurt!!!!:) it is great for babies that are getting off breast milk and or switching to formula!!:) helps with gas and poops and upset5 tummies and constipation!!!:) it has the same bacteria in thre yogurt as brest milk so it just gives them s boost so theyre tummies are working like they should:) as long as it doesnt have fruit chunks in it so sh doesnt choke. My sons favorite was vanilla any way so it worked fine:)

Theresa - posted on 08/05/2010

i am amazed at how there are so many comments on this topic and yet no-one has mentioned about one comment that cught my eye more than the rest.

it is regarding a comment from Charlene Morin on August 1st @ 11:29pm.

It is not their opinions that shocked me but what was included in their message.


"NO it wont.........What do you think they fed babies way back when???????? all of my 34 children-56 grand children-and 31 great grand children have had "solid" foods at two weeks.All of them are Very healthy..You do not have as many problems with food allergies when you start them young"

I am completely in awe of the fact that she mentions having 34 children and also all those grand-children and great-grand-children.

If this is true and not a typing error, well, that is amazing. and i think it is funny how it seems that no-one else has mentioned it.

BTW - on this topic

I was born 11lb 4oz, i was exclusively breastfed for the first 8 months and carried on having breastmilk until my sister was born when i was 23 months. I was weaned on vegetables and other healthy foods. i took to eating solids very easily and my mother had no problems with that.

i am concerned at the advice of feeding solids when a baby reaches 12lb as i put weight on fast when i was born and i weighed 12lbs by the time i was 9 days old. does that mean i was ready for solids - NO!!!!

When i had my son - he was born 7lbs 12ozs. He breastfed exclusive for 6 months. we started formula feeding at 6 months exactly to the day as he had his first tooth break through at exaclt 6 months and he bit straight into my nipple, drawing a lot of blood (VERY painful).

We started weaning him at 6 1/2 months with rusks and baby cereal and mashed veggies etc. we had no bowel problems with him.

I studied childcare and child development courses which involved me studying how children were raised right from birth to 5 years.

Part of my studies involved looking at how they were fed and weaned.

I drew conclusions that, from my observations and the doctors and paediatricians reports on the children that i was studying, that there is absolutely no benefit to starting weaning before 4 months old and most children can go to 6 months before being introduced to anything extra from their baby milk (whether it be breastmilk or formula).

Weaning too early did however cause problems for a number of the children in my case study, including vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, irritable bowel problems as they got older.

I believe that the information provided in the many sources that we can find online give the best advice as not having any advantages of weaning before 4 months and ultimately better to wait until after 6 months.

As for the claim that bigger babies need more and as a result starting solids earlier, this is just false and another way for parents to try to get more sleep at night by filling their babies tummies up with food that has no nutritional benefit to them and is useless in comparison to milk.

If babies did not need milk, why would we make it for them. It is not hard to see that it is nature's way of providing our children with the best possible start in life.

why would you want to risk giving your child all these possible health risks for the rest of their lives just so you can have a little bit more sleep a month earlier than is advised for your baby.

if you are planning to have a baby, this is all information that you need to prepare yourself with. If you are not ready to sacrifice a bit of sleep for the sake of your childrens health, then maybe you should think twice about having a baby. The baby stage does not last long and is one of the most rewarding times of your childs life, in regards to all the "firsts" that they accomplish. Do not rush your little ones and enjoy them. They will soon grow up and be independent from needing you. and then, you will be wishing you had the time again.

Hope you make the right choice for your child's future and do not take the easy way out.

Good luck to everyone and hope that all your children lead happy and healthy lives.xx

Marianne - posted on 08/05/2010

I guess it depends on a few factors. my son was 9# 4oz at birth. I breastfed him as much as possible, but after he repeatedly drank me absolutely flat on both sides and was still screaming with hunger (and projectile vomiting formula! no lie..) I started him on very thin rice gruel - at less than a month.. he did very well with just rice cereal for a long time and I was able to introduce other foods, fruits & vegies early too. I had to wean him at 4 months, but supplemented with formula as best as I could. ( actually gave him cow's milk too, but I'll get crucified as a horrible mother if I encouraged that!) watch out for bananas, they give gas. follow your mommy instinct, but listen to the nurses/docs when it makes sense for you..

Joy - posted on 08/05/2010

I tried my son at a month with cereal and formula on the spoon, he could not eat off the spoon,so I waited til he was 4 months.My dd ate at a month old a small amount of rice cereal and formula,she did great.If your baby girl is doing good with it I wouldnt stop.You are the mom and you know your child best.Good luck.

Jennett - posted on 08/05/2010

@Charlene... wow! How very fortunate all of your children/grandchildren/g-grandchildren are healthy and do not have any issues. I'm 50 (so I'm from "the old days") and my mother put me on solids (and cow's milk) way too young. Today I am lactose intolerant, beef intolerant, and allergic to strawberries and ALL melons. There are also a few different foods that I can consume, but experience difficulty with digestion. While your children and grandchildren may be normal, the death rate of children under age 1 year, from my generation and earlier, was significantly higher than it is now. Diet is a big part of that.

@Elisabeth... I'm glad your children are healthy and not obese. I would correct you on one thing: what we feed our children as infants actually does tie into obesity later in life. The location and amount of a person's fat deposits is determined by around age 3 years.

@all... We often look at an infant's plumpness as being healthy and "cute" when, in fact, it is not. While it's true that every baby is different (in terms of their feeding needs), the human digestion system is [basically] the same. Unless your child is born with a hereditary or congenital defect, you should always follow the basic feeding guidelines as directed by your pediatrician. May I also add that introducing solids as a means of getting your child to sleep longer between feedings is not only wrong, it's also selfish. If you suspect your child is not satisfied with your breast milk or formula, and/or you notice your child losing weight, you should consult your pediatrician so that the two of you can discuss strategies for correcting the problem (if it is deemed a problem). Some babies feed more frequently than others -- you just have to learn to deal with it :)

Elizabeth - posted on 08/05/2010

I'm sorry but yes this can do harm she's far too young her digestive systems not developed enough to handle it. My daughter was very hungry and demanding on the breast and showed a lot of interest in solids when we'd be eating but I held off till she was 5months even then i was cautious of how much solids she was taking. Its hard work but its worth it to ensure their development and safety. good luck.xx

Janet - posted on 08/05/2010

My 35 year old son was on cereal by 3 weeks and is a very healthy and happy adult. Consider this the least of your worries.

Shirley - posted on 08/05/2010

Iron levels will/should be checked by your Pedi.

Keisha - posted on 08/05/2010

I took a prenatal class and I was told that breastmilk always has all the nutrients a babie needs. As long as your body has iron your milk does. I am still breastfeeding my now almost 17 month old and I was on iron for the first few months she was born because I was anemic. I just stopped taking the pills and ate more veggies with iron. My daughter wasnt big on solids til she was 9 months but I did give them to her at 6 months on occassion. All she basically needed was breastmilk to be healthy.

Alfreda - posted on 08/05/2010

Wow I hear some people waiting till 9 months or a year. I was told at 6 months the babies iron levels will start to be depleted and breast milk has no iron. At birth they have a stockpile, at 6 months they need to take more in. This was why I was told to start at 6 months with iron fortified cereal and veggies, 7 months meat by 9 months table food like chicken pot pie where everything is cooked till soft, at 12 months they eat what we ate. This was just one pediatrician's advice but it matched my prenatal classes and online research. Did anybody else here take prenatal classes?

Keisha - posted on 08/05/2010

I disagree with the whole feeding babies solids early. Even starting verry slowly causes issues. The reason we have all this valuable knowledge today about whats okay for babies is because the mistakes from the past. My now hubby has so many health issues because he was fed early and his mom didnt breastfed and he couldnt eat formula. He has had acid reflux since he was born. He was diagnosed with chrone's at 16. He was a big baby at 10 lbs so then docters believed that he needed more than liquid which is obviously untrue now. He may have survived as people put it about being fed early and slipped sweets here and there. At what cost, he as so many health issues now that I havent even mentioned. Now we have a daughter that we were verry careful about things like feeding her early. The grandparents want to feed her everything but as parents we dont find that to be the best decision seeing as how my hubby doesnt want his daughter to have all the health issues he has. Everyone is entitled to their opinion if you want to feed her early than thats your decision I just wanted to share my view on the way people use to feed babies.

Stephanie - posted on 08/05/2010

The real problem with introducing solid foods is that it increases the risk of developing food allergies and sensitivities and a lifetime of food sensitivity issues.

There is an order to introducing foods as well, that a lot of people don't watch. Somethings are very dangerous to babies, like honey. Eggs (the whites in particular) shouldn't be introduced until the child is 2. Foods like peanuts, shellfish and regular fish shouldn't be introduced until at least age 3.

It's so exciting when you see them wanting to eat foods, but really, holding off is much healthier for them in the long run.

Natasha - posted on 08/05/2010

you want to know what they fed babies "way back when"? breast milk, and the babies that didn't take, died. sorry to be so blunt. but that's what happened. it's only recently that infant deaths have become much less common, and it's because we know what we know now, and we know that giving babies milk, and then solid foods, sterilizing etc, helps them to be healthier. there is always the exception and there will be some babies who are fine with solids at two weeks old, but mostly if we did that with all babies, there would be major issues. i am sure that public health doesnt make recommendations just for the heck of it, based on absolutely nothing. however, it is your baby and you have to make whatever choices you want. in response to the original post, i think you should try giving the baby milk (either breast milk or formula, whatever you are doing) until he/ she is at least 4.5 months old. it won't harm the baby, you may just have to feed often at first, until the baby gets in their own rhythm.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/05/2010

OK ladies I will agree with you that you are right and I do not know whats best for your children. You know best and no Dr can ever love your baby like you do so its obvious that you have their best interests in mind.
You are all great mothers and I know you all do the very best you can for your children. :)
I mean no disrespect to anyone.

April - posted on 08/05/2010

I agree Evelyn!! I did not appreciate being chastised for being unable to breast feed my baby. I could not produce enough milk. It wasn't a choice when I stopped. I know it wasn't aimed at me personally but it was generalized to all mothers who didn't breastfeed. My 4 year old (who had cereal in his bottle from birth) is as healthy as any other 4 year old. As far as his weight, he is actually in the 25th percentile so obesity to me is not a reason for feeding schedules. I had an aunt that followed strict feeding schedules and did as she was told by doctors and my cousin has always battled weight issues. Every baby is different, they don't know how to read the books and go by what they say! ;)

Evelyn - posted on 08/05/2010

Not sure what part you read but this is clearly stated: "By the fourth month, a baby's digestive system is mature enough to handle solid food, and is able to absorb nutrients supplied in solid food. Once your baby has become accustomed to cereals, at about 6 months, try introducing her to bland pureed vegetables such as peas or carrots." I am sure Brittany is not feeding her baby steak and potatoes, she is most likely doing cereals or perhaps some of the easy veg/fruits.

Honestly, this topic is becoming a little ridiculous with all those against earlier feeding telling the rest of us we are WRONG for doing so earlier. My kids eat 100% organic home made foods, they are very healthy, have no allergies, etc. We use no chemicals in the house, they are cloth diapered, etc. I put a lot more work and effort in taking care of my children than some moms who wait for the 6mo mark and then feed their babies 100% jarred foods and their toddlers/kids processed foods. We are not wrong nor are the other moms, we just all do things differently.

It's not an "old school" thing... for me it's common sense.... I look at myself and all those before me who have no allergies, no asthma, no major issues, and then I look at all the recent generations and new babies that all have one issue or another, asthma, allergies, ADD, or whatever.... studies are studies, nothing beats experience, sorry but I would rather go with a doctor who has treated THOUSANDS of children and is considered one of the best pediatricians in the city versus new doctors relying on the latest studies. So called studies that aren't really done on babies because not many mothers will use their kids as test subjects or will give their children's bodies (if passed) to science.

Anyways, no one here will agree so let's stop attacking and leave it at that.

Shirley - posted on 08/05/2010

I don't have an official answer, but I know I delayed my twins' solid food until they were at least 6 months old. I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry. I just looked at AAP.org - on the surface - I only found references where it recommended 4-6 months due to tongue thrust pushing the spoon/food back out. Many recommend breastmilk as long as possible for nutritional values. Ask your pediatrician and maybe find a nutritionist as well. Your kids will have plenty of time to eat solids - I wouldn't rush unless you have specific reasons.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/05/2010

Evelyn, the link you posted says 4 months is the minimum age to feed solids. NOT 12 lbs.

My son was 12 lbs by 6 weeks. my friends baby was 12lbs around 7 months.

Do you really think that the maturity of a babies stomach is determined on their weight?

Some babies are born 12lbs does that mean their stomach is the same as a 7month olds?

There are Drs out there who will proscribe ridilin to children who dont need it just because they either dont know better or they just want to make the parents happy.

Trust me it happened to my neice. Some drs do not do their research and dont stay up to date on new findings.



you are always entitled to your own opinion but when your opinions could hurt someone then it is wrong!



There is a clear cut answer here,



1 when breastfed no baby needs solids before 6 months (maybe 4 months if you want but not necessary)



2 When formula fed, babies with reflux might need some cereal in their bottles to keep it down. This must be done carefully and with the direction of your doctor because there are risks and you must be certain that the benifits outweigh the risks for your specific child.



3 Formula fed babies without reflux do not need solids before 4 months, preferrably 6 months but some, 4 months.



Side note

My mom was just fine and her mom

smoked through pregnancy

drank alcohol through pregnancy and

continued to smoke and drink and

chose to breastfeed right along with it.

I dont know when she started my mom on solids but it was before 4 months for sure and

my mom was just fine.

My mom rode in the car without a carseat and without a seat belt.

She walked to school alone from 6yrs old and

she rode a bike without a helmet too.

She was spanked and yelled at by her parents

and emotionally neglected too.

She was just fine as an adult.

She looked fine at least.

She lived and had a good life.



DOES THAT MAKE IT OK?

does the end justify the means?

If in the end your child lives does it make it ok to smoke, drink, abuse, and neglect them?

Of course not we all know better and we love our kids dearly and we never would hurt them like that.

But wouldnt you think my mom was loved too?

didnt her mom love her and try to do right by her?

I guess love isnt enough, we need to have knowledge and facts.



Please stop saying that your kids are just fine, this means nothing.

And PS my mom died at age 40 from periteneal cancer, she left 4 kids ages 18, 15, 13, and 5.

I was the 15 year old.

No one knows what caused the cancer so it could have been caused by any number of the things she was put through in utero and after birth.



Just fine isnt good enough.

Gemma - posted on 08/05/2010

My daughter was 4 month when she first started on solids and she was fine loving it, slleping through from statring it. Then i noticed from 8 month she started to get constipated and stomach pains, at 12 month she began vomiting, diarhoea, and really bad stomach cramps alongside this she would get violent temperatures and take fits. She is now 3 has to see a consultant regular as has a severe milk allergy, and also another allergy which cannot pin point she is getting blood tests to find out what it is. The consultants beleive it is due to the body rejecting them as she was introduced too early. I am now pregnant again and will be sticking with what advice says of no food until 6 month as what i though was dong my little girl good at the time will now make rest her life a battle to look at food labels.

Terri - posted on 08/05/2010

no, tongue in cheek "enviable" my daughter has such a motabilism she is healthy and a healthy weight for her lifestyle. She, unlike her Mum, doesn't pack on the ounds as soon as look at a bar of chocolate. !

Sara - posted on 08/05/2010

I have three children and the one who didn't get solids until much later is by far the healthiest. He was breastfed exclusively for six months. Yes he ate at least every two hours, he was a chunky baby. I nursed him when he was hungry and he was a happy baby. He refused solid foods until he was over one year of age. Now he is a very healthy eater by his choice and a very slim and healthy lil guy. We don't necessarily follow the three meals a day ritual either; that to me doesn't seem natural and programs you to "be hungry" at a certain time of day rather than follow your own natural rhythm. In contrast the child who got feed early due to pressures from the in-laws would said all their kids were fed early: he's allergic to everything under the sun, he has digestive issues, he spent about a year eating and throwing up immediately, he's been needle pricked alot to find out what is the new allergy. And he wasn't even feed all that much early, so it's just not worth it. You have testimony from ppl saying there kid is ok and now one who says its not. But there are none on here saying there child is worse off for waiting. Parenting is tough and if you can't hack the first months of setting boundaries then you've got a long road ahead of you.

Maria - posted on 08/05/2010

So here it is imo. I have five children and they were all breast feed until a min of 12 month and weened off themselves by 20 months at the latest. It is not necessary for babies to even eat solids until 7-12 months. They get nothing nutritionally from it. All the nutrients they need they will get from BF or formula. We start on solids before 12 months so they can get used to texture and learn how to eat. And the mom who said there child were eating Cheetos at 3 months I really hope you are kidding.

Carina - posted on 08/05/2010

I am thinking Terri was meaning that her daughter did not end up the big lady everyone warned her that her baby would be if she ate too much too soon as a baby.
I was a difficult baby too. I had a problem with my throat and couldnt swallow much, so without formulea [it wasn't an option then either], and the milk wasn't enough as I needed more, I was placed onto a diet of Condensed milk!! I have turned out fit and healthy without issues.
It is interesting that you bring up the weight conversation Amanda. Some women put on weight and some dont. I didnt care, I was simply trying to make sure my pregnancy was healthy, and deal with any weight or whatever afterwards. I naturally lost weight. Sometimes that is just the way it is. I had to then put ON weight after my pregnancy. I am pretty sure it didn't have much to do with the condensed milk though ! :)

Jeanne - posted on 08/05/2010

Hi Brittany,

I started my first child on solids at 5 1/2 months and my second at eight weeks. I started him so early because otherwise he was up to 12 ten ounce bottles a day. I gave him only half a baby spoon of thin rice cereal and he went back to feeding every four hours. I gave him only the rice cereal until he was 6 months of age and then I started introducing the other cereals and vegetables at that time. Here now in Canada they recommend starting your child on food at 9 months of age....I know for a fact that I would not have been able to hold him off to that age. You can always try going back to formula alone but your child may or may not adapt to it. Good luck.

Alisha - posted on 08/05/2010

I think you are supposed to give baby cereal at 4 months and baby food 5-6 months. I think her digestion may not be able to handle that at 9 weeks or 3 months old. Always ask a doctor or nurse before making any huge changes such as starting a new food or food in general. I don't think it's too late to stop and wait another month.

Amanda - posted on 08/05/2010

Terri @ its interesting you thinking being size 10 after 2 children is "enviable", instead of thinking it could possibly have to do with her being feed solids to young.

Woman have had 5+ children for centurys and not ended up size 10, only in the last 4 generations of humans do we have a major weight issue going on. Before these generations mothers breastfeed children for the first year, they did not introduce food early. Babies were babies, and treated as such instead of little mini adults.

Carina - posted on 08/05/2010

My Son started really early too - he was such a big big boy and was growing so fast, he needed the support. It didnt do him any harm at all, he was more satisfied and happy. He is now 17 and very healthy.
I fed him vegies, boiled together and then mashed up together. We started with water, and Arrowroot biscuits etc. at 3 months and by 4 months he was on the vegies. He was also breastfed till he was 9 months.

Melanie - posted on 08/05/2010

Babies act hungry but it isn't always hunger. They suckle and need to nurse for MANY reasons. A babies stomach size is tiny...regardless of what you may "think"...it can only hold so much with out being overfed and stretched out. At birth a babies tummy is the size of a shooter marble, at 10 days ab out the size of a ping pong ball, and about about 2-6 weeks it is only the size of an egg. Babies will continue to drink a LARGE sized bottle because they don't know anybetter and can not control the flow of the milk from a bottle, gravity force feeds them. They continue to suck and swallow out of instinct...not hunger. Lots of old school doctors fail to pay attention to the actual size of the tummy they are suggested you fill with 608 oz of fluid or solid foods.

Becky - posted on 08/05/2010

Solids don't fatten babies. I waited until five months to introduce rice cereal and then at six months started with veggies. A couple of months later I actually had to cut back on the solids and increase the formula because my daughter wasn't growing. Moving them from a fat-based milk/formula diet to a healthy plant-based diet is good for their health but does nothing to help them gain weight. In fact, my doctor told me many babies lose a little weight when they first switch from bm/formula to solids, because the massive fat content is gone from their diets. So giving them solids early does nothing to help them get fatter. :) It's really just an issue of the digestive system being incapable of handling solids yet, and giving them too early could create multiple allergies in your child. It is, of course, different situations for different children, so I would always trust my doctor when he recommends something for my child - he's been her doctor since the day she was born and knows her history plus a boat-load more medical knowledge than I, so who am I to second-guess? It is, however, ultimately your decision, so do what you want to do. My recommendation, though, is to take the tidbits you've been given here, consult your doctor, and make an educated decision.

Erin - posted on 08/05/2010

Evelyn, I just looked at the link you posted and it even says that other than cereal, parents should wait until 6 months for all other solids. Please read your own links.

Erin - posted on 08/05/2010

Evelyn, that makes sense that he was your doctor as well. A lot of old school docs will give you that advice. Any doctor that is up on the latest research will tell you to wait on solids until 6 months. As I said before, that is for foods other than cereal! Here are a few links for you; http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solids....
http://www.ukqna.com/pregnancy/2858-preg...
And yes, this is a right and wrong issue. It's about us as mothers knowing what our babies bodies can tolerate. A baby might want a spoon or even the food on it, but we are the ones that are supposed to know that their little digestive systems can't handle it.

April - posted on 08/05/2010

We had to give my oldest rice in his bottles from birth because he spit up A LOT! He is 4 and is fine. I started fixing it in a bowl when he was 3 months because I couldn't keep up with him on the bottles. My youngest (4 1/2 months) is eating cereal and baby food now. He loves it. I would think that if you took it away from her now then she won't be filled up as easily. Go by your instinct, not the doctor. Every baby is different. Like someone said earlier, they fed all of us early and we are all fine.

Terri - posted on 08/05/2010

i'm talking over 30 years now! when my eldest was a tiny babe, about 6 weeks old she was a crier, especially after meals. Health visitor said it sounded like she was a greedy baby and to fill her up on water. BOTH my Mum and Mum in law said nonsense, give her what she needs, so at 6 weeks old she was on 1 & 1/2 large bottles of milk. H/V said I would cause damamge and a fat baby. very upset and confused I saw the GP. He asked me what I thought and I said if I didn't know any better I would say she needed something a bit more solid. He said wel give it to her then. I told Mum and MIL they both said do it and they hadn't mentioned it just in case. I gave her 1 teaspoon of baby rice or the runny but cooked egg yolk at meal times, and she was a much happier and contented baby and down to 6 ounces of milk! some babies are hungrier and need it. I know you can now get milk formulas for hungrier babies, but back then you didn't. I had a healthy daughter and she is now an enviable size 10 after having 2 children, full of energy and busy all the time. Oh yes, she still has a healthy appetite!

Melanie - posted on 08/05/2010

Her system is NOT ready for solids until about 6 months. It can effect her digestive system and cause problems down the line. There is no rush on starting solids so why start so young? She is designed to grow and thrive on a liquid diet of breastmilk...solids are NOT needing...yes, it can harm her.

Heather - posted on 08/05/2010

It's not too late to stop her. Maybe only give her cereal for now? I would hold off for at least 2 or 3 more months, but it is up to you. Glad she likes food so much.

Evelyn - posted on 08/05/2010

Erin, there are doctors out there who say you can start your baby on solids at 3-4 months. My pediatrician (was actually MY pediatrician) told me to start my daughter on cereal when she reached 12lbs (that was at 3mos), my twins started at 4mos (they were preemies). There are MANY doctors out there who agree with earlier feeding. I don't have time to give all the links but here is one of several out there. http://www.drpaul.com/nutrition/solids.h...

No one is right or wrong here, as mothers we each do what we feel is best for our child. I don't think any one here should be telling Brittany that she is wrong, we each just have our own opinion.

Kelly - posted on 08/05/2010

as long as they can chew it it should be fine. solid like the food you eat or baby food.

Alisha - posted on 08/05/2010

my son was 9.2 lbs when he was born. he is almost 6 months old, and weighs 13 lbs. it's not about their weight. it's how well they are developing physically and mentally. I'm only now introducing cereal to him. i believe the doctors know best. they know your baby's history from birth and can provide the best information.

Erin - posted on 08/05/2010

I have also talked to multiple doctors about this and they ALL say that solids,other than cereal, should be NOT be introduced before 6 months. You asked what the harm is; food allergies, obesity, and problems with digestion. Sure, the baby will seem fine now, but the harm will become evident later!!!!! Any mother on here that says it's fine, go ahead and feed your baby solids so young is just plain wrong!!!!! I will defend this statement and welcome any kind of debate, the facts are overwhelmingly in favor of waiting to give a baby solids!!!!!

Sarah - posted on 08/05/2010

Our pediatrician told us that solids were fine that early. In fact, because our daughter wasn't getting enough from the formula, he encouraged cereal but insisted that if we were introducing spoon-fed foods, it should only be introduced in a spoon. We were told not to put cereal in her formula. I think it depends on the baby. Some are satisfied with 8 oz. of formula. If they are drinking more than that, cereal is a good idea. We started baby foods at about 4 months.

Katherine - posted on 08/05/2010

i started my 4 year old on solids around 2 months and he was just fine he only had cereal and fruit at bed time tho until about 4 mos, i did the same thing with my 7 month old and the are both just fine, you do whatever you think is best, use your judgment, it is your baby. :)

Bernadette - posted on 08/05/2010

4months is what the doctor told me to do