Need Help Finding a Feeding Schedule for 4 Month Old

We started solids at 4 months. I was told to start with rice cereal which he hated, then yellow veggies, green veggies and then fruits. Give 3-5 days on one thing before starting something new. We do a 6oz bottle in the morning, a veggie with cereal mixed in around lunch and a small bottle and then around dinner time I give another veggie with cereal mixed in with a small bottle and at bedtime we do a full bottle again. (We haven't started fruits yet) He turns 5 months tomorrow and he usually eats 2 2oz jars each feeding. Start with a tablespoon at a time and work your way up until the child seems satisfied.

M.,

My doctor actually suggested starting with veggies, because there are more fruit allergies than veggies. Start with the size 1 jars (2oz) and do this at morning, afternoon and night. I mixed the cereal with the food (not adding much formula) so that there wasn't as much to eat/feed. At about six months you will be on size 2 jars and can do a mid morning and mid afternoon snack of the size one jars. Some doctors now say that kids can wait until 6 months to start food, so you can wait until you move to make life easier on you.

T.

I agree- there is no big rush at this point- my doctor explained it this way. Until they are over a year, any solids they eat are more for the sake of practicing eating solids rather than the nutrition asspect. Their main source of nutrition should be their breastmilk or formula until they are one year. So take it slow- wait until you move and see if your new doctor suggests introducing solids at 4 or 6 months- really it comes down to your choice with some input from your pedi.

Good luck and have fun with the new stage in your little one's life.

Wait until you move. I think it would be crazy for you to add more to your plate right now. My pedi is pretty adament about not starting solids til 6 months. Although I never could get my kid to eat baby food, she 15 months now and will eat almost anything. I wouldnt think that a few weeks would make a difference in the grand scheme of things. Move, get settled, then start on some solids.
At least this is what I would do.
Margaret :)

If you ask 10 doctors for a "schedule" on starting solids, you'd get 20 answers. It sounds to me like the schedule you have her on is a good one and the next step would be to add a lunch feeding, but not necessarily quickly as you've started solids at the very earliest recommended by most pediatricians. I've been a professional nanny for infants/toddlers for 25 years and never had the same experience twice with introducting foods to babies. The best advice, imo, is to start slowly, as close to 6 months of age as possible (some babies do need it sooner but there are many things that 4 month old babies cannot digest properly). If you're going to give her food this young, imo, there needn't be a huge variety as her main nutrition is still coming from her bottle....food at this age is more for training the mouth muscles and getting baby's tongue used to texture. Some people do see the "bulk" of solids impacting the sleep patterns in a positive way as well. But she can get that benefit without taxing her digestive system by giving her primarily rice cereal (oatmeal can constipate at this age) or barley cereal and, for some variety, mixing the cereal with a little apple or sweet potato (those are the first foods most doctors I've seen recommend). Be very cautious not to let the solids interfere with the bottle feedings....i.e. don't let her get so full that she won't take a full bottle as she really NEEDS the bottle nutrients and doesn't need the solids at all except, maybe for the bulk and the muscle development.
Good Luck!
L. Harvey

Hi M.,
I am in almost the same prediciment! Only I have a 3 year old and i moved 2 weeks ago and I cant get my daughter who is 4 months old to eat cereal! she doesnt like the spoon! I just wanted to say thanks for asking this question!