Starting Babyfood

Kids don't need solids until around 1 year old (some before, some after). So, starting them on solids right now is usually just to get them used to the idea. Even if your kid only takes one or two spoons. That's ok. They're getting the idea. But, it is not a need. So, don't pressure your child to eat solids. Just offer them. They will be more ready to eat from a spoon later on because they have been doing it already. They will be more ready to try new foods, supposedly. ha. (mine are so picky) When your child is hungry enough that he his needs are not being met with milk, then he will be ready for solids. But, it is not healthy to force your child to eat solids now when his body isn't ready for it. Their digestive system can't handle it. All you're trying to do is get him used to the idea to make it easier later. When he does start really eating a "meal", then make sure he is also getting more fluids, especially water to avoid constipation. Many babies aren't ready for even trying until 6 months old. They're sitting very well and curious and want to try.

Ummm...you already started him on baby food. The first food at 4 months is usually cereal...and you said that the baby is already on oatmeal. Sooooo...sure...keep going. I didn't start fruits and veggies until 6 months...but we started the different cereals at 4 months. My daughter also had reflux...but food didn't seem to help. It wasn't until she was about 2 that she outgrew it. And...like a previous poster said...you should wait longer if you have a history of food allergies in the family.

I would suggest taking the cereal out of his bottles when you start it from a spoon, too much cereal tends to constipate them. I would try it now, but if he's not taking to it in a few days, he may not be ready. I tried with both my boys at 4 months, my first was not ready, so we waited till 6 months, my new baby (5 months) was ready & did well, but he started getting up at night again after sleeping thru for 6 weeks, so I quit & am going to re-try today. he was getting up with tummy issues & is still getting up now which is so frustrating ,but I also took the cereal out of his bottles so he is probably just really hungry at night. It didn't affect his refluzx at all when I took out the cereal. anyhow- good luck !!

Personally, my kids didn't have ANY solids until 7 and 7.5 months old. They were exclusively breastfed, and didn't need them. Each chid is different and you have to see if your son is ready. However, most experts agree that waiting to introduce solids is best. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests 6 months before introducing solids. For some reason, despite the fact that the AAP recommends waiting, pediatricians are so ready to suggest solids as soon as babies turn 4 months old. I don't agree with this.

The benefits to waiting on starting solids are many. You didn't mention if he's breastfed or bottle fed. Most of these reasons for delaying are for both FF and BF infants, but some (like greater protection from illness) are specific to exclusively BF babies.
Delaying solids gives baby greater protection from illness.

Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature.
If solids are started before a baby's system is ready to handle them, they are poorly digested and may cause unpleasant reactions (digestive upset, gas, constipation, etc.). Protein digestion is incomplete in infancy. Gastric acid and pepsin are secreted at birth and increase toward adult values over the following 3 to 4 months. The pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrase do not reach adult levels until around 7 months. Young infants also have low levels of lipase and bile salts, so fat digestion does not reach adult levels until 6-9 months.

Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.

Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.
The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby's iron absorption.

Delaying solids helps to protect baby from future obesity.
The early introduction of solids is associated with increased body fat and weight in childhood. (for example, see Wilson 1998, von Kries 1999, Kalies 2005)

Delaying solids helps mom to maintain her milk supply (if BFing, obviously).

Delaying solids makes starting solids easier.

I know many people will tell you they started their kid at 4 or 5 months and their child was "ready," but I just wanted you to see the other side of the coin here. Also, the "your child will sleep better" is pretty much seen among experts as an old wives' tale. Formula is supposed to be close to breastmilk, so I see no reason why it has to be supplemented with baby food early. The oatmeal for reflux was prescribed for a reason. I don't believe that that means you have to give him baby food now. The pedi was giving you the green light, but as I said, that is NOT recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (ironic that pedis tell moms they can start when their academy says otherwise).

Definately wait! it's not going to hurt him to wait til 5 months and research shows their digestive system just isn't ready by 4 months. He will get there, don't rush it!

If you are concerned about allergies (if you have a history in your family) you should wait til at least 6 months to start on baby foods.

Not sure about reflux. We started my son at 5 months. He wasnt ready to have cereral till he was the right age...I forget when. My husband tryed to put some in his bottle when he was little to help him sleep better. My son hated it. My husband thought it was me and sneaked it with out telling me. I knew right away because he was freaking out and it was only delaying bed time to do this. Basically if he is ready I would start him. I love the book Super Baby Foods. It has really helped me. They also say to give him one type of food every four days to make sure he isnt allergic to anything.

Our baby was 7 weeks premature. She had nothing but breastmilk and formula for the first 6 months. Most babies actually have a decline in nutrition when solids are started, and I didn't want to deny our baby even a single calorie that could help her grow. By 6 months, she was in the 50th percentile for a full term baby and I was so glad we had waited.

After 6 months, we went with more of a baby led weaning style. She mostly had oatmeal with fruit for breakfast and very soft people food for meals that we were at. We sent her to daycare with chunky stage 3 baby food. By 10 months she was eating appropriate regular food, no more baby food. Even at daycare they gave her the school lunch. Do whatever feels right to you though.

I'm surprised his pediatrician had you start giving him oatmeal at just two weeks old. His little digestive system wasn't even ready to process that. And the reason you should wait until your baby is 4 or 5 months old is because that's usually when they've already doubled their birth weight and are just now beginning to use their little tongues to keep food in their mouths, rather than pushing it all out. And they're learning how to chew right around then. I've never heard of solid foods helping with reflux, only medication. Good luck with getting over the reflux & maybe get a second opinion from another Pedi about your son's condition.

Hi A., it's hard to answer your question without a little more info but I will tell you my experiences. I have two boys. One will be 3 in Nov and the other will be 1 on Friday. My first one I started on cereal at night around 4 months in hopes that it would help him to sleep through the night...didn't work. I think I waited to actually start baby food until around 6 months. My youngest breastfed really well. My pediatrician said that as long as he seemed satisfied to wait until closer to 6 months to start food. At 6 months he was not crazy about food at all so he really didn't eat baby food consistantly until about 7 months. He didn't like or accept cereal until around 9 months. Because both of my boys had breast milk only she did have me give them iron drops every day (you can get them over the counter).

You can try runny rice cereal. If it appears he has difficulty with his swallowing reflex (like, if he gags or vomits) then hold off for 6 weeks and then try again. Children develop the swallowing reflex (as in clearing food on the tongue) between 4-6 months.

Typically the "baby food" they are talking about to start at 4 months IS cereal. My little guy turned 4 months yesterday and we started cereal 2 weeks ago to try to get him to sleep at night. Most peds don't recomment starting fruits and veggies til they are 6 months to try and avoid allergies. Even though you started cereal early, you may want to consider holding off for a little while. I think I will start between 5-6 months, but probably closer to 6. Do some reasearch then make your decision!

What ever you do start simple, I made my own baby foods from fresh. Froze the portions for another day. Ice cube trays work best for this purpose. By doing this you will know if there is a allergic reaction to the food that you are giving at the time. One of two week with the same food to start with give the oatmeal as part of the meal also. You would not like to just eat green beans day after day for very long.

check out the book super baby food. It has chapters for 4, 6 months etc. with food suggestions for each month. The rest of the book is a little bit much... But you can try out barley cereal, mushed bananas, and applesauce at 4 months. Try making some of your own babyfood. It's surprisingly easy and very cheap if you freeze it in icecube trays.

Good luck

Most docs recommend you wait until 6 months because the earlier you start, the high chance the baby has of having food allergies. I started my son at 5ish months. Just use your mommy intuition!

Let your baby be your guide. One sign is that they will show interest in food you're eating when they are ready. You can always try it, and if it doesn't agree with him stop and try again later. I started my daughter on baby cereal at 4 1/2 months. I had been breastfeeding, and she wasn't getting enough from me at that time. The baby food helped. Good luck!

If you're not going to do what the Dr. says, why go to him? You're just wasting money. Try the baby food at four months like he said to. If the baby doesn't take to it, wait awhile, but at least give it a try, after all, the Dr. is the professional.