Introducing Solids - Hermitage, TN

My son had very bad reflux and we had to see a pediatric gastroenterologist who told us to start with solids when he was around 1 month old. It helped tremendously with his reflux because it was thicker than the breastmilk/formula that he was taking. Therefore, he had rice cereal feedings...and by the time he was 3 months old, he was trying all the fruits & veggies as well. We just spaced them out carefully and he did GREAT! He also slept through the night from 6 weeks old on! Couldn't complain about that! Just wanted you to know that introducing solids at an early age can be totally fine and I can tell that you're doing what you and your pedi. feel are best for your daughter. Both mine and my husband's mothers started us on rice cereal at 6 weeks old as well...and my mom is an RN. That was what ALL doctors said to do then...trends in medicine change...

To answer your question, if the juice that she's had is 100% apple juice, then she should be fine with applesauce and other apple babyfoods. After getting tired/bored with the store-bought baby foods, I started making my own. It's very easy and I really enjoyed it. www.wholesomebabyfoods.com is a GREAT site if you are interested in that! Good luck with introducing those fruits! My son is almost 18 months old and is still a HUGE fruit lover. hehe! Once they taste that sweet stuff, they are in love! He does still LOVE his veggies, also, though! :)

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I think it is perfectly fine to introduce solids to your 4 1/2 month old, as long as she's ready for them now (it depends on your baby's weight gain and sleep patterns). Start with rice cereal for a couple weeks, then add vegetables and fruits. As for your question, I would think there wouldn't be a problem with apple sauce if apple juice was fine. (Although I am not a doctor--if you really have concerns, ask your pediatrician.) Unless you have food allergies in your family, though, I can't imagine there being a problem with apples. Well, hope this helps! Good luck!

I would not wait but look and make sure you buy the natually kind that is unsweetened. She could have a reaction to the additions made to the product.

No, introducing a diluted fruit juice is not the same as a solid fruit. The food tends to be a bit harsher on the tummy. My daughter is 13 months and she doesn't get juice often at all. I stick with milk. Introducing sweet juices can cause them not to want the milk/formula.

I would suggest talking with your pedi if you haven't already about introducing solids and fruit juice. Here is an excerpt from What to Expect the Toddler Years:
Yup, apple is the worst It's because there are hardly any nutrients in that juices and there is a lot of sugar (well, in all juices). So the amount of nutrients they get doesnt outweigh the amount of sugar. They do say that appie juice enriched w/ vitamin C is better if they are going to drink apple.

I haven't read that grape juice isn't good, but when I give grape, I usually get white peach or mixed with another kind

The BEST juices are (from "What to Expect in the Toddler Years")
Orange juice
Papaya juice
Pineapple juice
apricot nectar
mango juice
vegetable juice (v8 splashers are great!)
& "other" 100% fruit juice/nectars w/ the exception of apple.

Nectars are more expensive, but they are worth it in my opinion. You can find a lot of nectars in the juice section, in separate cans.

I've also found a lot of great juices in Organic Markets. AND - in the display case in the fruit section at the regular grocery store by the odwalla. I buy the ~large~ odwalla containers of lots of different juices.

I hope that helps. GOOD LUCK!

Well, she is almost five months old so yea I would wait a couple of days between anykind of food, usually before there 6 months there bellies are still sensitive, so I would wait a couple of days even though you had given here juice, because the apple juice was diluted the applesauce isn't....

C.

Hi V.!

I was actually told by my doctor to introduce vegetable solids first and later introduce fruits because you don't want them addicted to the sugar found in fruits as a result, you'll find yourself fighting with them to eat vegetables. I believe juice is ok, but not highly recommended for babies at a very young age.

I hope this helps!
D. L.

Hello V.

I am doing the same thing that you are doing, introducing solids.. I have a baby the same age ( Kenny born 06/20/2006) the pediatrician told me that when I give him something new, give it to him 3-4 days see how he does, make sure he has no reactions then move on to the next one.. my son is eating rice cereal, and veggies ( squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots.) he is also eating fruits.. I have not had any problems so far.. but I hope the best for you.. A.

Hey V..

If she can drink the juice with no problem I would bet the sauce would be ok w/o the wait.
All 3 of my boys started solids early per doctors orders.
No body knows your child the way you do.You do what you think is best.

Since the baby is just barely 4.5months old, Id hold off on all solids, especially juice. Its nothing but empty calories and sugar. They dont recomend giving babies any solids until 6months now. :)

I agree with Angela. Juice is loaded with empty calories and sugar. I started my son on solids and cereal at the same time since weight wise he was big enough and had no problem. I did however follow my Dr's orders and tried the same thing for three days in a row before switching to make sure there were no food allergies or reaction. Also, my Dr doesn't reccommend more than 4 oz of juice per day and not until at least 9 months old. Everyone's Dr is different so I would check with yours. Good luck.

V..
I think it would be fine to give the apple sauce. My son is almost 4 months and when he gets 4 months he can start eating certain baby foods. Like applesauce, pears and bananas. As well as cerel. All Dr.s are different on how they do this. My dr. says 4months it is ok. That they could have a variety of food. One important thing is not to replace her bottles or breast feeding sessions with cerel. This ensures that the baby still gets the calories they need, as well as the variety of taste.
Good luck.. Congrats...

IMO, the baby is only 4 months old, so I dont see the rush in introducing solids. At 4 months, I was just starting the rice cereal. Take your time introducing new foods. All the nutrition she needs in the breastmilk/ formula. I know I'm not answering your question, but like I said, its just my opinion. :)