Baby Food

Question: What could happen if you give a baby baby food too early?

(Posted by: Nikki'sMyGirl on 2010-03-03 10:44:44)

Is 2 or 3 months too early to start giving a baby 1st foods? Why or why not?

Posted by: Leigh F on 2010-03-03, 10:47:06

It usually is too early unless your pediatrician says otherwise. Most recommend 4-6 months. I've heard giving them food too early could cause allergy's.

Posted by: Kate on 2010-03-03, 10:47:32

I gave my son 1st foods when he was 3 months old. My doctor said to wait utnil he turned 4 months, but my son was eating well and just needed something else to keep in his stomach. I couldn't recommend it to anyone unless they are sure it would be alright. My son was 10 lbs at birth and 20 pounds at 6 months. So he was definately ready for it.

Posted by: keepme77 on 2010-03-03, 10:47:44

The worst that can happen is they have an allergic reaction. Try plain rice cereal first if they take to that then applesauce just a 1/ 2 oz in with the formula, I introduced one new food a week until I figured out what my babies liked.

Posted by: expecting baby 3 on 2010-03-03, 10:47:59

If given food too early they can develop food allergies. 2 or 3 months might be ok for rice cereal if you feel the baby is needing it, but speak to the pediatrician first.

Posted by: Fizpop on 2010-03-03, 10:48:22

Babies dont need anything other than milk for up to the first 6 months of life so there is no reason to give them food this early. You can give them food from 4 months , but its only if you feel your baby is ready and is wanting more than just milk.

Posted by: Lutopu L on 2010-03-03, 10:49:14

They could develop allergies even life threatening ones. talk to your Dr. bout it first!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: KEVIN G on 2010-03-03, 10:49:41

Babies need to be able to hold their heads up to eat, some people put a little rice cereal in bottles for even newborns to help fill them up (so they can sleep better) if your baby is young but interested in eating they will eat, if not they will cry- its not going to kill them or anything- although there is a choking hazard, but if they are not ready they are not ready. at three months you could try a little rice cereal (try the tip of your finger to serve) to give them a taste so that when you start they are already used to the idea. babies know better when they need to start then we do, you can try, but they won't eat until they are ready so don't force it on them, but offer and see where you get

Posted by: c c on 2010-03-03, 10:49:48

Two main things happen, neither one is good. The baby's digestion system can't digest it so they: 1) get stopped up (constipated) OR 2) their body tries to get rid of it fast (diarrhea) Also, they cannot physically digest the food -- none of the calories or nutrition will be taken out of the food, so baby will not be able to use the food for growing. Yes, he will feel full and satisfied but will get nothing else from the food.

Posted by: Troy's Mommy on 2010-03-03, 10:51:16

I gave my son Cereal when he was 3 months. It's fine. Most doctors will tell you to wait till your baby is 4 months. Just add formula to the cereal, and he'll be fine. I think 2 months is a bit young to start your baby on food.

Posted by: Mr. Goofy Squarehead on 2010-03-03, 10:51:32

Infants' little bellies aren't ready for heavy food that early. It's best, if you think your baby is ready, to start mixing rice cereal with the milk or formula in small quantities first to condition the baby's digestive system. If you want to give the baby some baby food, don't give them too much at once. See how their stomachs react to small amounts. I think 3 months is okay to start a baby on some soft babyfood, but read the jars. It has a recommended age on it.

Posted by: ** on 2010-03-03, 10:51:55

Starting solids before 6 months is unnecessary. At 2 or 3 months your baby most likely still has a tongue thrust reflex, so anything you put in wil come right back out. Babies digestive systems are not ready for "real " food and you run the risk of upsetting their stomach. I could go on and on but instead I will include some good sites so you can come to your own conclusion.

Posted by: Laura on 2010-03-03, 11:11:33

I was told that babies that age arent ready to digest foods like that. It can cause stomach upset, and i believe allergies too. But ask your pediatrician. Good luck !

Posted by: Corrina on 2010-03-03, 11:28:54

First, it is important to understand WHY you want to give solids to a two or three month old. My guess is that you expect your baby will sleep better. This is totally untrue. Due to the immature digestive system of an infant that age, ANY food other than breastmilk and/ or formula turns instantly to sugar. It does not provide any kind of substantial sustenance like hearty food does for a child or adult. Your child will not remain full for any longer than he or she would with breastmilk or formula alone. In fact, some leading experts are suggesting that infant cereal is nutritionally void even at the appropriate age. The best first foods for Baby, beginning at six months, contain natural fats and essential oils such as bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, etc. In addition to the uselessness of offering foods too early, the introduction of solids to an immature infant can cause choking, gagging, aspirating food into the lungs leading to serious health risk, and, as others have mentioned, a distinctly higher incidence of severe, lifelong, sometimes life threatening food allergies. It should also be said that feeding Baby solids too early has been linked to childhood and adult obesity. The bottom line is that feeding an infant solid food before six months is totally unnecessary, high risk, and pointless. No matter how much your baby weighs or how hungry you think your baby may be, he or she does NOT need baby food at three months of age. As long as your child is making enough wet diapers everyday, his or her feeding should not change.