Baby Food

Question: What is a good age to start feeding baby food?

(Posted by: Blessed on 2009-09-25 13:42:01)

So Im breastfeeding my 4 month old daughter and the DR says she doesnt need to eat any baby food till she is about 5 1/ 2 months but everyone is telling me that doctors always say that and that i should start feeding her at least rice cereal. suggestions?

Posted by: The Natural Mommy on 2009-09-25, 13:47:22

6 months. My son has never been sick, and I breast fed (only breast fed) until he was 6 months. They will have less allergic reactions (rashes and stuff) to new foods introduced if you wait until 6 months.

Posted by: Momma D on 2009-09-25, 13:47:40

I started feeding my son baby food around 4 - 4 1/ 2 months . The doctor told me not to start until 6 months but the bottle was not enough for him. And he is not fat at all. People say if you feed your baby to early they will be fat I don't find that true because my son started eating early and he isn't big at all.

Posted by: jbxt on 2009-09-25, 13:48:10

Do what you feel right, when my oldest 2 were little you fed them solids at 4 months, my baby is now 9 months old and I started him on solids at 5 and a half months every baby is different, a baby will get every thing he/ she need in the milk

Posted by: Celeste on 2009-09-25, 13:48:11

It really depends on your baby. If she is staying full off of breastmilk, she really doesn't need anything. If she is eating ALL the time and seems like she never gets full, then she needs to have rice cereal and/ or baby food.

Posted by: kk & kyky's mom on 2009-09-25, 13:49:58

6 months. I skipped the rice cereal and went straight to food. Look up baby led weaning.

Posted by: Krissy on 2009-09-25, 13:55:33

You can feed them rice cereal at 4 months.. some people just hold off til 6 months due to food allergies.. i personally started solids for my baby at 4 months = )

Posted by: jojosparkles on 2009-09-25, 13:56:33

I also breast feed and didnt start her on food until around 6 months. but not because a doc or other moms suggestion.. and im a nurse. Listen up this is important! You are your childs Mother and only you really know your child and they are each so very different. Trust your instincts.. No Matter What! Always trust your gut.. There truely is some connection there. You will know when your child is ready... Congrats on the B Feeding its the best thing you can do and the most intimate moment to share w/ your little one..

Posted by: I Haz A Bucket. on 2009-09-25, 13:58:47

Doctors always say that cause they are right and honestly they dont always say that cause some tell people to start at like 2 months. Babies especially breastfed babies do not need solids until more around the 6 month mark... Starting too early can lead to allergies and digestive issues later in life...She doesnt even have the proper bacteria in her stomach to digest food right now and she doesnt really need it...

Posted by: Connor's Mama. on 2009-09-25, 13:58:55

They recommend starting at 6 months but I personally started at 4 months.

Posted by: April on 2009-09-25, 13:59:27

I say 3-4 months is good to introduce single grain rice cereal. Doctors always say 5-6 mths.

Posted by: Marissa on 2009-09-25, 15:24:13

The American Academy of pediatrics recommends not starting solids until 6 months. One reason being that kids develop less allergies that way. the other thing is that it's easiest for a baby to swallow solid foods when they are sitting, so for that reason it's a good idea to wait until they can sit by them-self before starting solids.

Posted by: Sofie'sMommy on 2009-09-25, 15:27:14

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should not be fed solid foods including cereals until they are at least 6 months of age, regardless of whether they are breast fed or formula fed. The studies have shown that before 6 months old, their stomach linings have not fully matured and are not ready for any food other than milk (breast milk or formula). Personally, I breast fed my daughter exclusively until she was 6 months old. Then, I continued to breast feed her, but I did start her on rice cereal. We gradually moved through the other cereals such as Oatmeal, Barely, and eventually Whole Grain. At about 8 months old we started her on solids, vegetable first, such as plain Peas, Carrots, etc. After a few weeks we started the Fruits, and then around 9 months we started giving her the mixed vegetables and mixed fruits. Then we introduced the meats, which are very important because they are extremely high in protein. She has grown to be a perfectly healthy baby (now 11 ½ months old) with no health issues and is a perfect weight, not chubby at all, and not too thin. She is super smart & advanced, started talking around 6 months old, and started walking at 9 months old. The decision is ultimately up to you and your husband. You will always hear this from the older generation, “Back in the day, I started my baby off on solid foods at 2 weeks..�! But just remember, things have changed and we know more now than we did “Back then…� Good Luck!