Baby Food

Question: Baby food/ rice cereal questions?

(Posted by: on 2011-03-08 11:20:14)

Okay, so I am pregnant and naturally looking ahead for all int information I can find about child rearing. One thing I am having some mental complications with is the whole NO FOOD UNDER 6 MONTHS. My entire family has been giving babies cereal as young as two months, and I know for a fact a picture exists of me sucking on a pickle at 4 months. It is common practice to everyone I know to give baby rice cereal before bed for a full night sleep. The only on these children I know with any sort of tummy problems are the ones on formula, and it is a duh that breast is best and formula can cause gas and other digestion problems. What I am getting at is WHY no food before 6 months when so many have done it earlier and baby be just fine if not happier and further advanced. I know a 2.5 year old who is on baby food because his mommy was afraid of him choking on real food and he now rejects it completely. What's the problem with rice cereals before 6 months in moderation if baby accepts it?

Posted by: dschmidt on 2011-03-08, 11:24:42

I totally agree with you... we started our now 2.5 year old on solids when she was four months. She loved it and we had no problems.

Posted by: Chase's Mama on 2011-03-08, 11:29:08

A pickle at 4 months? giving a baby cereal for a better sleep? That does NOT help. Because a baby can choke on food if there younger than 6 months, there body cant digest solids at that age & what people did back in the day they don't do now.

Posted by: Pippin on 2011-03-08, 11:33:42

Early solids (before 4 months) are clearly associated with increased risks of allergies and digestive problems. Also, since babies before 4 months can generally not sit up and eat from a spoon, solids at such an early age are generally force-fed by bottle, which has its own risks. Yes, *most* babies given early solids did not suffer major harm, but the risk is there. (*Most* babies held in mama's arms in the car didn't go through the windshield, but we wouldn't use this as an excuse to not use a carseat, right?) Between 4-6 months the question is less clear-cut. Some studies suggest potential harm, others do not. But mostly, a baby this age simply doesn't NEED solids, and infant development would suggest that they aren't really intended to eat them. (Nature doesn't know about spoons and ground up rice, so nature would probably expect babies to live on breatsmilk alone until they can pick up food at eat it -- -tpyically around 7-9 months.) And indeed, until the early 20th century, solids were usually started around 7-9 months. Back in the day, (early 20th century through the 1970's or so) most babies were fed home-made formula, which was just plain milk, sugar and water. Such formulas were not nutritionally complete, so early solids became the practice. But today, most babies are breastfed or given commercial formula, and those ARE nutritionally complete. So there is no particular reason to mess with rice cereal and jars. Babies refusing solids because mom didn't start early enough are really NOT common, and certainly aren't a result of mom waiting until 6-7 months to offer. And there is NO scentific evidence that early solids help babies sleep longer. Rice is pure carbs, and carbs digest quickly. So why would rice cereal help a baby sleep longer when breastmilk or formula (full of slow-digesting fat) do not. Again, way back in the day, babies were fed on strict schedules, given limited amounts of formula (few were breastfed) and expected to sleep all night by 4-6 weeks. And yes, many moms forced cereal down their babies throats in an attempt to fill baby up so he'd go 4 hours between bottles and sleep 8 hours at night. But today, this just isn't the way we do things. Babies are fed on demand and generally (unless you're following a really BAD babycare book), allowed to wake at night until they are able to sleep through. If you feel strongly about starting solids between 4-6 months, and baby can sit up and eat them, then sure, no harm would probably be done. But if you're going to do this, probably makes more sense to offer jarred food, which at least has some taste. Rice cereal tastes like the milk it's mixed with, (and a little starchiness), so really does nothing for your baby.

Posted by: z on 2011-03-08, 11:33:49

I started my baby on solids when he was four months old and he absolutely adored his food. I started him on porridge and weetabix before bed then added more throughout the day - he was a very hungry baby. I then bought Annabel Karmel's cookery book so that I could make his little meals ahead (and freeze them) so I knew when he stayed with someone or when I was at work he would be having a nutricious meal - I actually loved making them ! I've attached a link for you to have a look - this book has been passed on to my sis-inlaw who cooked for her 3 children and my best friedn who cooked for her 2 little one Good luck! x

Posted by: Iain Macpherson on 2011-03-08, 11:37:09

From 2010 they put the age to start weaning from 4 months up to 6 months. They don't recommend weaning before 6 months but if you decide to there is certain foods you cant give your baby such as wheat, tuna, cows milk, nuts etc. I started weaning my daughter at 4 months and started giving her baby porridge and gradually brought in baby food for dinner. Now she is 9 months and eats everything! When my daughter was around 3 months i got a Farley's baby rusk and quarterd it and mushed up 1 quarter with her usual milk and fed her it threw a bottle for her last feed, which made her fuller and slept longer threw the night. Never start weaning before 17 weeks because babys stomach is not strong enough to digest food.

Posted by: cogecojelly on 2011-03-08, 11:39:02

People also used to believe that a baby should sleep through the night at 6 weeks, and that breastfeeding past 6 weeks is a waste of time. That's not proven to be true has it? For what it's worth, people thought the earth was flat once too. Seriously though, the recommendation for food at a later age, has come about partly to ensure that children are receiving adequate nutrition, because commercial baby food isn't really that nutritious, and partly because as you mention, breast is best! And also in an attempt to avoid allergies, but I'm not so sure that one really works. Breastmilk is a complete food source that is designed 100percent with your baby's needs in mind, and it changes to accommodate those needs. And just so you know? Introducing "solids " did NOT help any of my kids to sleep through the night. That is not an automatic thing. And a lot of people who still start solids at 6 weeks? A lot of them are also in the group that thinks a baby ought to cry it out between 6-12 and become independent too. And the "problems " it causes, aren't necessarily immediate. Intestines and bowels of a nb baby aren't really designed to be breaking down grains and foods, until they are a little older. Breastfeeding has also proven to give the brain the proper amounts of fats they need too. The right kind of fats, not the gerber introduced kind! I don't know any kids who were early solids fed that are smarter than non solid started ones. BUT that all being said... if your child is showing signs of being ready, and can sit up, chew, swallow? Then they are telling you themselves, that they are ready to start solids. The best person to tell you when you should start solids is your baby themselves, no matter what the opinions, or actions of anyone else might be.

Posted by: janet_bbab on 2011-03-08, 11:43:48

I agree with you that 6 months seems like a long time. I started my 4 month old on rice cereal and he took to it very well. For the record, it is not actually true that giving your baby solid foods will help them sleep better. You can just as easily give them a night time bottle or top them up with a couple of ounces before you go to bed and you will probably have better success than filling their tummies with solid foods. That theory has not actually been proven and people have believed it and started solids before their babies were ready for them. And another myth is, if you add cereal to their bottle, that will help them sleep better. PLEASE never do that. It is lazy parenting and is not good for your baby. My opinion is that there is not very much nutrition in cereal compared to breast milk or formula. A baby under 4 months can only handle so much food in a day so I would rather fill their tummies with milk that will help them grow and develop how they need to. Think about how much they grow in the first year. It is vital that they are getting the nutrients that they need - nutrients that are only found in milk. I started my son on cereal as a learning/ playtime experience more than for the nutritional benefit. I started with 2 tablespoons, made it with formula (I breastfed but had no success with pumping) and it was very soupy. I gave it to him once a day, after I nursed him. Make your baby fill up on milk first before offering solids. After a couple of weeks, I added another feeding and then slowly started introducing the vegetables and fruits. It is very important to try a variety of foods but only one at a time in case your baby has a reaction. I hope this helps. Good luck with your new baby. I'm sure you will be a fantastic mom! babybeddingandbags.com

Posted by: Fiona on 2011-03-08, 11:59:26

I starting my kids on solids about 5 months When I thought milk was not enough and slowing down weight gain.

Posted by: * Princess Aimee's Mummy with a bump* on 2011-03-09, 03:05:00

I agree, there are so many different views that most new mums panic and just go by what the news recommends etc, but each parent should trust their own instinct. its recommended to wait 6 months because a babies stomach cant handle solid food, but each baby is different and some are hungrier than others. if i hadnt of started my daughter on solids at 4 months id have never stopped feeding her milk, she was a very hungry baby and milk just wasnt doing it for her anymore. its not fair to let a baby starve when theyre clearly hungry just because its recommended to wait until 6 months. years ago babies were given solids from birth and it was considered normal, id just go with what yout hink rather than the recommended age for babies in general rather than your own.