I need other peoples opinions on this!

Courtney - posted on 11/02/2009

If babies eat food too early they get have allergic reactions to things that they would not have if you gave them to them at the right time. My doctor told me to wait for baby food until she was 6 months. And that cereal in the bottle does nothing. And when my daughter was 3 months she weighed about 11lbs. The doctor told me she was just skinny and that everything was fine. I would be afraid to leave my baby alone with grandparents like that too.

Nicole - posted on 11/02/2009

Quoting Ashley:

I had the same problem with my bf's mother! She would feed my son foods & when I say something she'd be like "It's not going to hurt him, I did it to my kids..." blah blah blah...well she kept him overnight when he was 7 months old & decided to feed him eggs for breakfast & we found out the hard way that he was allergic to them! He had a mild reaction, and she didn't even call me when it happened! I got there 1 1/2 - 2 hours later & that's when I found out! He was napping & woke up throwing up! I took him to the er. Now my bf understands why I don't like anyone giving him foods, especially new foods, but me or him! This was honestly one of the scariest moments in my life! I would simply tell them that your daughters little body & digestive system aren't ready for "grown up" foods and they don't know if/how she will react to them! They should respect your wishes for your daughter. We are mothers and we have the best interest in mind for our children!

wow i would have freaked on her and never left my kid alone with her again!! i hate when people say that " i did it for my kids"....times have changed!!!

Nicole - posted on 11/02/2009

my daughter is the same age and same weight, and was the same weight at birth....i would try to say to them nicely that i have talked to my doctor about it and he/she says that she is exactly where she should be, and she is. I just went to the doctors with my daughter about 3 weeks ago and like i said my daughter is like the exact same size/weight and the doctor said that she is doing amazing and that she is right in the middle for weight/size ect. If they don't listen when you tell them that the doctor says she's doing great, don't be afraid to tell them that this is your baby, not theirs and as long as the doctor knows whats going on and says it's fine you are going to continue to do what you're doing. Don't second guess yourself, you are doing great!!

Katherine - posted on 11/02/2009

It sounds like she's growing at a great rate. Don't let them pressure you - 3 months is generally too young for solid food of any kind. I started my son on cereal at 4 months because he was so interested, and showing signs of being ready, although I think they actually prefer you to wait until closer to 6 months before starting any sort of solids now. Whenever you decide to start cereal, you should never add it to a bottle unless her pediatrician tells you to, although I think you already know that! Thank them for their advice, but keep politely repeating that her doctor says she's growing fine, and that she isn't ready for anything but breastmilk/formula yet.

Leanne - posted on 11/02/2009

Stick to your guns.... a mothers instinct is always right!!! she is your child NOT theirs!!

Ashley - posted on 11/02/2009

I had the same problem with my bf's mother! She would feed my son foods & when I say something she'd be like "It's not going to hurt him, I did it to my kids..." blah blah blah...well she kept him overnight when he was 7 months old & decided to feed him eggs for breakfast & we found out the hard way that he was allergic to them! He had a mild reaction, and she didn't even call me when it happened! I got there 1 1/2 - 2 hours later & that's when I found out! He was napping & woke up throwing up! I took him to the er. Now my bf understands why I don't like anyone giving him foods, especially new foods, but me or him! This was honestly one of the scariest moments in my life! I would simply tell them that your daughters little body & digestive system aren't ready for "grown up" foods and they don't know if/how she will react to them! They should respect your wishes for your daughter. We are mothers and we have the best interest in mind for our children!

Tara - posted on 11/02/2009

Tell them how dangerous and stupid that is. Your baby is doing just fine! They get enough from milk. I wish more people would see this and stop making stupid and potentially harmful decisions. SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR!!! Also google the effects and hand it or email it to these people.

Michelle - posted on 11/02/2009

hi Evelyn. my son weighed 6lb 6oz when he was born. he was never a big drinker/eater. i could never get him to drink over 6oz in a bottle. thats not fair to say she looks poor. u shouldnt put cereal in her bottle to start with. i think u need to explain to BF and BF parents that u want to raise her the way u are doing and that u will welcome ADVICE but u wont be CRITIZED. if u have any doubts or woorries just ring ur GP or District Nurse

Krystle - posted on 11/02/2009

As long as her pediatrician says that she is gaining enough weight you shouldnt worry...usually around 4 months of age is when you can start feeding her infant cereal as long as she is ready..she shouldnt have table food already, and they need to respect your wishes and understand that she is YOUR daughter. I would talk to them calmly and tell them how u arfe feeling... nobody can tell you how to raise your daughter.

Danielle - posted on 11/02/2009

I wouldn't let them tell you what to do, especially when it comes to food since giving a baby solids too early can cause damage to their stomachs. I have twins who are 18 months old and when they were born were only 5lbs 12 and 5lbs 15 and even now they are smaller than other children their age... but not in terms of growth since birth and thats much more important. Be firm, at the end of the day you are the mother and by instinct you know what is best for your baby, good luck x

Beth - posted on 11/01/2009

Most pediatricians recommend not giving a child anything but milk until 5-6 months and especially not giving cereal in a bottle. It can cause digestive and choking problems. Also, starting solids too early can cause a child to have food allergies. Our parents and in laws raised children in a different time where things were different...such as riding in the back seat with no seat belt and flying all over the car. I would explain to them that this is how you've chosen to handle this situation and either give them a doctors letter or a book that you see has something similar to what you are doing. Good luck, I know its a pain to deal with.

Becca - posted on 11/01/2009

if the pediatrician says she's okay then she's OKAY. Don't take pressure from anyone but what you know is right for your own baby. Some babies are just smaller. Cereal in the milk is probably not good for babies stomach.

Sara - posted on 11/01/2009

my baby is three months old tomorrow and has been eating cereal in his milk for a month now. he is not gaining weight too fast a is very healthy. i give in 4 ox of foumla and 3 tsb of cereal. it keeps him satisfyed but he is not getting a tone.

about the b/f parents, just do what you think is best for your kid. your the mom and you know your kid better then anyone. just tell them that you think your baby is doing just fine the way you are doing things. just remember that you are her mommy and being a parent means you get to do things your way and who cares what other people thing its your kid. good luck hope i helped.

Jessica - posted on 11/01/2009

well u gave birth to her not them and she is your baby and i think u r right bc u dont want her getting to big to fast and table food no way to young u do what u think is best for her

Leona - posted on 11/01/2009

I personally think that its ok to start cereal but not too much. You dont want to constipate the baby with foods that its not used to digesting. Start out little by little and stand your ground with the in laws. just tell them they raised their kids now let you raise yours. If you cant trust them with your child and to follow your rules then hey you gotta do what you gotta do. They dont know what type of food allergy your baby could have and should not introduce new things without your approval.

Desi - posted on 11/01/2009

Okay, heres the deal. Your baby can only process formula or breast milk. Her tummy can't handle cerial or any of that. All it will do is make her constipated and uncomfortable. Only you know when you baby is ready for cerial in her milk. For example, I started putting a little bit of cerial in her bottle when she was about...oh 6 to 7 months, so that she would go to sleep with a full bully and she would sleep longer. Don't let them bully you like that. As long as your daughter is well nurioushed, there shouldn't be any problems!

Jessica - posted on 11/01/2009

STICK TO YOUR GUNS! You are raising your daughter how you feel is best! Do NOT let anyone undermine that! Including your boyfriend! My son's father is the same! Always trying to rush his development or trying to give him table foods when I thought he was too young! In the end I told him that as I am the main carer, we will take things at MY pace and if he doesn't like it then talk to a solicitor! OTT and a bit harsh I know but sometimes thats what they need! A good kick up the bum to show them who's boss! lol

Grace - posted on 11/01/2009

my grandmother was always telling me to do this(and my son was born at 8lb) i think its a generation thing,if u and your health advisor feel your child is progressing well. you should tell them you've discussed it with your health advisor,and you've both agreed she's doing fine.

Shanna - posted on 11/01/2009

People especially family should respect ur ways of doing things.

I started giving my son farax and mushy food like mashed banana or even a few of the baby custards at 4 months, every baby varies, they have rapid growth splurts so it doesnt hurt to try i guess...

Janel - posted on 11/01/2009

Most doctors will say to try not to give them cereal until 6 months...that said it will not harm them to start earlier. I was giving cereal to my little guy at 2 months to help get him through the night, then again he was huge (9lbs, 2ozs) at birth. Your little one though is doing fine, 6lbs in 3months is great, so their idea of what poor is...is well, poor, LOL. Do not give cereal if it makes you uncomfortable. Only you decide when you are ready. Best way to tell is when the little ones start taking interest in whenever you are eating...good sign that they are interested and possibly ready to try solids. My little guy is now 5 months and he is eating cereal at night daily now...but just started to figure out the whole spoon=food concept. As for the bf"s parents, they are still the grandparents, and grandparents think they know it all! As much as it sucks you cannot control what they do when you are not there, and by not letting her stay with them you are only making things worse. Remember if you leave her with them and they give her cereal...which they will...it will not hurt her. Maybe try to look at it in the perspective that they are worried about her...you could be thankful for that because some grandparent's jut don't care. It is hard for them to let go of control sometimes. The cereal will not hurt her. I am not taking their side here as it may seem just to reassure you. I am on your side but just want you to know that the cereal will not harm her. One other thing, you should probably stop telling your BF you will leave if his parents don't start respecting the way you chose to raise your daughter...it is not him doing anything wrong. I assume you and him both have the same thoughts on the cereal?? If so, then it should be up to him to tell his parents to back off, he should not be putting you in this situation to begin with. Sorry I babble alot,lol. Basically long story short: you cannot keep your daughter from her grandparents and you cannot monitor everything they do with her. You and I know that they will give her cereal when you are not around, remember it will not hurt her and try to think of what you don't see won't hurt you either...even though you know they are gonna do it try not to dwell over it. And you fear of her gaining weight o fast...do not worry, babies will regulate themselves. They will grow fast one month and slowly the next, do not fear "obesity" in an infant.

Jordan - posted on 10/31/2009

well first of all you are mommy and you know your baby better than anyone....so if you think your baby isn't ready for cereal then you don't have to give it to her. her weight sounds fine and i'm sure your pedi would tell you if it wasn't. i started my son on cereal at about 3 1/2 mos because he was wanting to eat every hour and going through a can of formula a day. but giving your baby table food at this age is not good at all. their little tummies can't digest food when they're so little. i would just tell your bfs dad that its not healthy for her to have anything but milk and it will give her a tummy ache. i don't think there would be any harm in cereal but if you don't think she's ready then wait. you do what u think is best for your lil one because it's really true-mommy really does know best.

Martha - posted on 10/31/2009

This is something I actually dealt with when my daughter was a baby. I would try to calmly explain that she is too young for table food and cereal. If they don't listen be firm and let them know that her pediatrician has told you not to give her cereal or food. If they continue to gripe or argue with you about what to feed YOUR child, say when you have completed medical school I MIGHT listen to you over HER doctor she has now. By the way 12 lbs is healthy for a 3 month old. My daughter was 10 lbs. 12 oz on her 3 month check up and her doctor said she was doing good

Diana - posted on 10/31/2009

It varies. I think docs have started trying to get them as close to 6 months as possible before they start solid foods, but like with everything else, all babies are different. My son is a preemie and he has been eating cereal since he was 5 1/2 months old, which is 3 1/2 adjusted, and we started baby food at 6 1/2 months, 4 1/2 adjusted. He was just too interested in food, trying to get our plates and all, so we asked our ped if we could try, and she said to try, and he took right to it. Which is why I say you should discuss it with your ped. They know your child, and they've worked with children for yeras, so they've likely seen some kids who just have to start earlier and some who don't start until 6 months. The criteria she wanted him to meet before he started eating anything other than formula/breastmilk was this: 1) be able to go "pthbbb" with his tongue (I have no idea how to spell that noise-but it's the one we make when we spit things out), 2) be interested in food, 3) be a supported sitter. She also mentioned that if he still spit it out after trying 3 times that he just wasn't ready for it, so to wait a week or two before trying again. These may also vary from doc to doc and place to place, but that's the list she gave me.

Evelyn - posted on 10/31/2009

I did that yesterday and I think his dad finally got the hint, but I don't know for sure yet! I won't go against what her pediatrician says, they know best! I was thinking about feeding her around the time she is 5 months old, isn't that about the right time to start them on cereal? I will not give her cereal in a bottle, that is a deffinate NO!

Diana - posted on 10/31/2009

lol...Well then you may just have to stand your ground and try your hardest not to be rude, but to be very firm when you tell them that. I'd not suggest going against your pediatrician's advice-and if you're going to start cereal, you should not only inform your ped and get his/her advice, but you should feed it to your baby from a spoon and not a bottle. Bottles of cereal are choking hazards. It's also easier to get babies to eat real food with a spoon and put down the bottle later on down the road if they're only accustomed to getting liquid from the bottle.

Evelyn - posted on 10/31/2009

I have told them that and they tell me that I need to go to Parenting classes along with the pediatrician.

Diana - posted on 10/31/2009

You should tell them that you are following the recommendations of your pediatrician, and you should do just that-follow his/her recommendations.

Evelyn - posted on 10/31/2009

Guess it all depends on how much you give them though huh?

Stephanie - posted on 10/31/2009

yeah i get wat ya mean but you could do the baby cereal idea in her bottle my boys started at around 4 months and they are not over weight and they are very active children.

Evelyn - posted on 10/31/2009

but won't she gain too much weight really fast? i don't want that for her, i don't want her to have to struggle to move around and breathe. know what i mean?

Stephanie - posted on 10/31/2009

well there is no harm in tryin but it does hv to be very light mushy food at first expecially that early, but if your bub dnt like it, youll know then give it a bit of time before tryin again,