Baby Food

Question: Feeding baby food to 5 1/2 month old?

(Posted by: brandidy56 on 2007-07-03 15:15:50)

My baby pretty much fusses and cries the whole time Im trying to give him baby food, but then Ill give hime a bottle and hes fine. What can I do to help him get used to eating solids and with a spoon? Is this normal for him to be upset until he gets used to eating solids??

Posted by: ROXY on 2007-07-03, 15:19:27

Its normal. Keep feeding him and soon he will get used to it, be consistent. My son is too 5.5 mo and he now opens his mouth for his next spoon full of goodies.

Posted by: MJ on 2007-07-03, 15:21:33

Simply put, he's not ready. Just wait a few months and then try one food at a time for a few days each. That way you will know when he is ready, give him time to adjust himself to a new flavor and, you can quickly determine what foods he is allergic to.

Posted by: GranolaMom on 2007-07-03, 15:21:40

He's probably not ready yet. Give it a rest for a couple weeks, and try again at 6 months.

Posted by: AJ on 2007-07-03, 15:26:53

What are you trying to give him? It may be the brand or type of food. I started my son on baby rice cereal at 4 months but didn't give him the baby jar stuff until after 6 months. Even then he was really picky about which he would eat. He even discriminated between brands. Sensitive little guy.

Posted by: Christy on 2007-07-03, 15:27:40

My first took some getting used to feeding him solids. He hated it..but it gets easier. They need the extra food at that age. Just try a little at a time. don't expect him to eat full amounts. Try something tasty like applesauce or sweet potatoes. Also, you can try a feeding bottle. Avent makes a special nipple for "thicker feeds " and they have another brand at walmart too. This may help getting used to the taste and then make the spoon transition easier. I didn't have this problem with my second child, just the first....good luck!

Posted by: ejd8206 on 2007-07-03, 15:43:59

I think he should be eating some cereal via spoon or mixed in his bottle, but maybe he is too young for baby food just yet. Did you give it to him warm? Maybe it is too cold for him or maybe he just doesnt like the taste/ texture of the food you are trying. I would stop for a month and try again. Eventually the bottle won't be filling enough for him and he will eat. As long as he is at the right height/ weight I wouldn't worry about it.

Posted by: Free_spirit on 2007-07-03, 15:53:04

All you can really do is offer him foods slowly and one at a time. Maybe he's not ready to be fed like that and it won't hurt him. If you don't think he's getting enough from a bottle then try adding baby food to it. There are nipples that allow the cereal to pass through it with the formula. When you see your son is ready to try one new food at a time and when you give him one spoonful wait till he opens his mouth again before trying to give him more. Some babies aren't ready to eat yet at this age.

Posted by: Emily on 2007-07-03, 16:01:08

Maybe try changing his food he might not like the kind that you are giving to him yes he will be grumpy the first few time you try to feed him solids but once gets a taste and he likes it then he will eat more and more day by day you shouldn't expect him to use a spoon for a long time until he really start to eat solid foods and when he has bottles for nighttime !!!Good Luck!!! i wish you and your baby the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: nikki on 2007-07-03, 16:17:20

Your baby is not ready, wait another couple of weeks and try again, they change so much throughout, also try starting with mashed advocado and a bit of custard- something sweet and something normal just in case he has a preference, just remember they can start out only wanting a teaspoon full just to try it- oh and if he's having trouble with a spoon use your clean finger. If he's fine with his bottle that's great! He needs it more than solids- don't do what a family member of mine did and feed them too much solids and not enough milk, it stunted its growth, until they gave her mostly milk again- she grew. So it just shows that the milk is more important at the moment. Good luck.

Posted by: luvnbirth on 2007-07-03, 16:56:07

Babies should never be forced to eat solids. Breastmilk is the ideal food and should be continued throughout the first year of life. Solids should only be introduced if baby shows interest and is over 6 months...

Posted by: vacera g on 2007-07-03, 17:00:45

He may not be ready for solids. It seems he's still comfortable with the liquid diet, which is normal. You only convert to solids when they show an interest. Try making your food look extra delightful while your eating. Let him watch you eat. Make it seem fun and delicious. After a while he'll want to know what all the fuss is about. Good Luck,