Solids question!

Kate CP - posted on 07/12/2011

Before one, solids are just for fun! Babies should be getting most of their nutrition and calories from breast milk and/or formula until 12 months.

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No solids don't make babies fuller. The formula should be main source of nutrition until he's a year old, anyway.

Maria - posted on 07/13/2011

Think about how tiny their tummies are at this age. It is normal and healthy for them to want a bottle every 4 hours. eating solids at 4 months old should not be with the goal of filling them up, the formula should do that, rather it's to get them practice with different textures in their mouths so that when they are closer to one they (hopefully) don't reject solids. And like someone else said, even though some pediatricians and gerber suggest you have to start solids at 4 months a lot of other sources say 6 months. Unless he is loosing weight, don't worry about trying to "fill him up" on solids. And a side note...don't set him up for future wieght problems by teaching him to over eat now.

Elizabeth - posted on 07/12/2011

There's a lot of water in the Step 1 jars, we stuck with formula for the most part until 6 months to make sure he got the proper nutrients.

Tania - posted on 07/12/2011

A four month old should not be getting solids. Both the AAP and WHO recommend breastfeeding (or formula) for at least 6 months before introducing other complementary foods. And then foods to complement milk until a year of age. So, no, foods should not be "filling" a baby up until they are over a year old.

Sherri - posted on 09/30/2011

I never introduced solids for fun it was out of necessity for my kids. One was started at 12wks the other two at 4mo's it was to make sure they did not intake to much formula and calories. The food helps keep them regulated so they get the optimal level of nutrition without drinking too much formula. For my kids at least this is why they were started on solids.

Jennifer - posted on 09/30/2011

Myth. My 18 month old still eats every 4 hours, but obviously more than just one stage 1 babyfood! heck, if I don't feed my 3.5 year old ever 4 hours he gets ultra-crabby too!

Janice - posted on 07/14/2011

The main point of food before a year is to introduce new tastes and textures so that at a year when they NEED table food its not an issue. However, nutritionally at 4 month old does not need anything but formula or breastmilk. You may have introduced solids at a time in which your son is going through a growth spurt so if you weren't giving him food he may be needing an extra bottle.

Shirley - posted on 07/14/2011

I'm from South Africa actually; only later in life will your children see the affects. Yes you are the parent and it’s up to you but too often now day’s parents rush them into everything when they babies. I’m not telling you that you are wrong as I said they are your children after all. But we have been told for years by our doctors not to feed a baby before 6 months and I’m not judging you at all I was just shocked to see that such a small baby was being fed solid food.

Wendy - posted on 07/14/2011

Shirley, I don't know how it is in america so I can't comment but in the UK in the past year they have changed the guidelines on when to introduce solids about 6 times! At first it was 3 months then it changed to 6months then 3. To be honest you have to go with what your gut is telling you, every baby is different and you can't bring a baby up by a book. All of my children were fed early none of them have had any problems with their digestive systems and none of them are obese, they all love a variety of foods and textures and it has done them no harm. It is all down to the baby and what the individual parent thinks is right. My youngest son is 6 months old and the formula used to give him bad constipation but since I started him on solids the puree'd fruit has sorted that out and he's a much happier baby, he's even started to suckle on some toast every morning which he enjoys as he feels he's being included in breakfast time with his siblings. Like I said before it is entirely down to the baby and the individual parent no one can tell you whether there is a right or wrong way!

Anna - posted on 07/13/2011

every baby is different. they are people too. being able to eat solids is more important than how much they are eating, when they are eating, what age, and which foods they are eating. your child may want more at one feeding, and that may help spread out his feedings. at 4 months old it is still normal to eat every 4 hours. some babies won't eat solids that young. i am a mom of 3 boys ages 1, 2, and 6. they all ate at different times, different foods, different ages, and they are all very healthy. always mention any concerns to your pediatrician, but as long as he is happy and healthy he will be just fine. since there is no exact normal he sounds like a normal baby.

Shirley - posted on 07/13/2011

Wow!!!! I’m so shocked to see you had your son on solids at 6 weeks and 3 meals a day at 9 weeks Wendy! There digestive system can’t handle it at such a young age wow!!! You should wait till at least 6 months before you give a baby any solids.

Rebecca - posted on 07/12/2011

My son was the same way. I got a lot of grief from my doctors because I started him on food early, I knew he was ready. I was told to wait until 6 months because they worry about obesity. My son is now 1 years old and in the 25% for weight as he has been since birth. Also, my other 2 children were fed early and neither one of them are obese. You need to fo by your gut. He is YOUR baby, not theirs. They keep changing the rules for everything. Just as we get used to one way of raising our kids, they find what they say is a better way. I believe that us moms are the best ones to determine what is best for our kids. That being said, try feeding him foods more often if he is still hungry. Maybe up it to twice a day. That may help a little. Do the main meals like breakfast and lunch. Also, hoiw much formula is he getting. That may need to be tweaked also. Hope that helps!

Melissa - posted on 07/12/2011

at 4 months it's mainly introducing foods that you would want to do. It won't necessarly fill them up more, however it's good to introduce the foods to them because if you don't they can get a texture disliking at a year old. Once they get older it will help to help transition to finger foods and getting off formula. My daughter now at 11 months, the solids are helping her last longer in between her formula, so she will have 4 oz of formula when she wakes and some finger foods, then around 9 yogurt and fruit, then 11 she will have 4-6 oz of formula and some lunch protein, veggies, then she will have some fruit mid afternoon and then 4-6 oz of formula around 4 and then have some dinner at dinner time, fruit or veggies and either yogurt or protein, and then she will have 6-10 oz before bed of formula. depending on the times is depending on the puree or finger foods because she's transitioning to regular foods too, and she doesn't have many teeth and she has struggled with choking before. So it depends. I worry about her with the choking so she always gets the nutrition, but it's the teeth that worry me, however, if it's soft enough for her front teeth and gums to chew and saliva to break down, i let her chew it, if not i puree it for her.

Lynnette - posted on 07/12/2011

It might be the amount of food and that he's not getting enough. Or try him with the stage 2 or 3 foods. What about mashed potatoes? My son at 4 months was going through a bottle, 2 jars of food and still wanting more to eat. What I did was feed him till he didn't want any more or I felt that it was enough.

Heather - posted on 07/12/2011

Nope, solids won't fill them up more, that is a complete myth. Cereal doesn't make them fuller either. Also, don't feed him too much. But yes, he will eat every 4 hours for a while.

September - posted on 07/12/2011

Actually at 4 months of age it's the breast milk or formula that's most important. Intorducing solids at this point are only to get them use to them, not to meet their nutritional needs, or to fill them up.

Wendy - posted on 07/12/2011

all babies are different for my daughter starting her on solids at 3months with just breakfast was fine, with my eldest son we had to start him on solids at 6 weeks and by 9 weeks he was on 3 meals a day with bottles every 4 hours, with my youngest son he started solids at 8 weeks and by the end of the week he was on 3 meals a day with 5 bottles a day, it really does vary with each child I wouldn't worry unless he starts to gain excessive amounts of weight

Ella - posted on 07/12/2011

not always. For some it does some doesnt