How Much Food for 4Mo Old?

You remind me a lot of me when my son was that age. I worried a lot about when and what to give our son just like you are now! If I gave him enough, if he was malnurished if he skipped a meal or wasnt interested in something I was offering.. And the real truth was he was a healthy, well fed hunk-a-chunk! Honestly, I think they best thing you can do is be knowledgable of foods and their qualities and just be in tune with your little one. There is so much "taboo" stuff now of what to do and what not to do that it really bogs you down as a parent. Go with your gut instinct, when we were growing up our parents didn't have any knowledge of what they know now and we survived! My son is about to be 1 year now and he LOVES his people food!! I started introducing him to baby food about the same time that you are. He really enjoyed the different tastes. We watched for any rashes or if he was experiencing any digestive problems and either backed off certain foods for a while or would feed him things like prunes to help. We don't have any allergies in either side of our family so I didn't feel so worried that he would be. Certain foods like eggs are too complex for babys until they're older. He loves them now! Or tomatos have lots of acid and can cause a rash around the mouth area (baby skin is so sensitive!) Bananas are great food starters but make sure not to give too much, just like cheese they can cause constipation! I started with fruits worried that he wouldnt like veggies as much and he lucky for us he just plain loves all food! Just as soon as our son was onto baby food, we started giving him bites of our food, which he immediately was turned onto because the food actually had taste and texture!! Our son also had 4 teeth come in at 4-5months and had a total of 8 teeth at 8 months so how could we not? What better of "My body is ready for solid food" indication was that? It got my husband and I eating better healthier meals and all at the same time.
As for your little one, as long as he is drinking plenty of milk and able to support himself in a good eating position (can sit up in high chair/swing with good head support) then he is ready to taste some new stuff! Since he doesn't need it for his nutrition I wouldn't worry too much about how much to give him or making it a point to do it as an everyday activity, as long as he's getting plenty of milk thats all he needs! But you could make it like a fun snack or dinner meal time participation, when time permits. I remember how fun it was to provide those new experiences and he'll enjoy them too!! Hope this helps?!

They say to introduce veggies first but i didnt both ways each time with my two kids. my first i started with fruit and it went ok. my second onei gave him veggies frist and then he never wanted fruit still to this day i have to trick him into eating them. at that age though he will tell you when he doesnt want anymore. just by loosing interest i would think not opening his mouth for you anymore or turning his head.

With my boys I started them with apples at 5 month-- but fruit & veggies, & cerals are good to start with. One thing i did was go & take a look at babyfood & their months (4- 6- 8-10 ext & start with the 4. I would feed him until he isn't accepting it anymore-- but little bits at a time. At the beginning I would feed him once or twice a day. Veggies that are good to start with are potatoes, carrots... mixed with apples. I found that at the beginning, it was hard to get it fine enough without him kinda chocking. Then I realized that it was just his sign of showing he was full. Just makes sure that they are blended very well! Hope this helps. Also, there is a book called "Feed me I'm yours"-- that has hints about foods and recipees. Take care, S. B.

My son he is only 3 months and 2 weeks I feed him already coz his father give him some food coz he is screaming when we are eating.I already feed him potatoe and carrots I blend and he love it too much thanks god his stool is normal.

I can't help you much with the amount of food to give for 4 month old as I usually just gave what my children would eat.

But I do have to say don't worry to much about starting with fruits, we did with our son and he is now 11 months old and he loves veggies but really doesn't like fruits. he will eat fruits but if I cook up some boiled carrots he would eat the whole bag full if I would let him!

There is a great book called "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron. It's geared towards parents who want to make all their baby food but has some great info on what foods are best for baby at certain ages. For example, she states that rice, avacados, sweet potatoes, and some others that I can't remember, are good foods to start with at about 4 months. Then she lists foods that their little stomachs can handle at each consecutive month. She tells you which foods to avoid also and why. I LOVE THIS BOOK! It saved me! If you don't want to buy it, you might be able to find it at your local library. It also has kid craft ideas that are cost effective and also fun snack ideas for when your baby turns into a toddler. Please check it out, it will definately be worth your time.

Check out this website, it has a lot of great info on foods.

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com

According to my pediatrician, no food at all till 6 months and then there is a list of foods to start with that typically won't cause allergic reactions. I'm pretty sure if you search within in Mothering.com, you'll find more specifics. Sorry for the short answer but I don't have time for more!

Personally, I would not get too excited about feeding 4 mo old solid food. Their digestive systems are not ready for foods yet. One negative is that studies have shown a higher percentage of food allergies with early feeding. My 5 yr old son has bad food allergies and it is not fun. I know it seems like a new and exciting thing to start feeding your child with a spoon but you and he have is whole life to start eating solids so my advise is to keep things simple right now with breastmilk/formula and maybe start rice cereal around 5-6 mo. He and you are not missing out on anything except some possible belly aches.