Baby Food

Question: How much baby food should i be giving my 5 month old?

(Posted by: Bella on 2010-01-28 15:59:14)

My baby is 5 months old and I am already giving him cereal and introducing him to different kinds of baby foods per week. I was wondering how much baby food in the jar should a 5 month old be eating per day? I don't want to over feed him so I like to know what is consder a good portion/ amount for a 5 month old??? Thanks to anyone getting back to me.

Posted by: Timid Women Rarely Make History on 2010-01-28, 16:04:36

My daughter is five months and I usually only give her about 1/ 2 a jar every couple of days. Her doctor said not to worry too much about giving them so much to start off with,especially when under six months. Since it doesn't make them any healthier.

Posted by: ILoveMySon on 2010-01-28, 16:02:12

You should wait until he is 6 months but start with rice cereal.

Posted by: nachosandcheese on 2010-01-28, 16:02:13

They usually know themselves when to stop eating.

Posted by: Kristin & Jeska on 2010-01-28, 16:04:19

You should not be giving him baby food for another month. But since you already have I would say no more than 2 small jar's or 1 med jar in 2 different meal's a day.

Posted by: Matt A on 2010-01-28, 16:04:40

Start with cereal and give him that for a few weeks. Make sure you introduce things one at a time waiting 2-3 days before giving anything new. cereal about 1-2 tbs. everything else, once you get there, stage one jars is enough. once you get closer to 9 months you can start stage 2 and 3. let him be your q though. dont force anything.

Posted by: breezybh on 2010-01-28, 16:05:16

You should first feed him his formula, or breastmilk, whichever he is on, until he is done. Then you can offer him a bit of cereal or baby food. But really, he doesn't need anything other than breastmilk or formula until he is six months old. That is what the world health organization recommends, as well as any other doctor or nutritionist would recommend. So, it doesn't really matter, as long as he has filled up on his formula/ breastmilk first. He'll probably only eat a tablespoon or two, most of which will end up all over him rather than inside!! Always a fun time when they're learning to eat solids!! Anyways, until he's a year, you should still keep feeding him his bottle first, then offer foods. Good Luck. Oh yeah, and if you have any history of allergies in your family, be extra careful because the earlier you feed them solids, the more likely that they'll have an allergic reaction. And don't give him anything with honey till he's over a year, and same with eggs.

Posted by: Caitlyn L on 2010-01-28, 16:06:59

Babies generally won't overeat. Just beware of clues from him that he doesn't want to eat anymore such as turning his head, pushing the food away, or just plain old not opening his mouth anymore when you offer the spoon.

Posted by: Lucy on 2010-01-28, 16:54:05

I've gotta say that the 6 month rule is a load of rubbish because every baby is different. When I had my little girl 7 years ago we were told to introduce baby rice and cereal at 4 months, 18 months later the rule had changed to 6 months when I had my son. He was an extremely hungry baby who was never satisfied and at around 8 weeks he was having small amounts of baby rice mixed with his milk. I checked this with my doctor and my doctor supported me fully as his wife had done the same with their hungry baby. Your son will not accept food from you if he is full, I just mixed a small amount of rice before each bottle and I he was much happier. The guidelines are exactly that... GUIDELINES...if we followed every one by the book we would wrap our kids in cotton wool and never leave the house, the instincts of a loving mother supercede the rules everytime :)