Starting Solids...

Updated on February 26, 2008
S.S. asks from East Helena, MT
41 answers

I have a five month old son. For about 1/2 a month now I've started him on solids (peas, green beas, squash, fruits) but I still do the bottle formula to make sure he's getting the nutrition he needs. But I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. I usually give him a bottle when he wakes up and then I alternate between bottle and solids. Should I not be doing it this way? Is there a certain way to do it? He has been constipated once since I started so I was thinking that teh alternation is what is doing it....how am I supposed to feed him? Solids during the day, bottle at night, or what?

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D.H.

answers from Denver on

It's recommended that you don't intro solids until 6 months. Maybe a little rice cereal but that's it. Don't rush it, enjoy him being so easy :)

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S.M.

answers from Billings on

I seem to remember being told to give solids and then finish with the bottle. Since he is just starting out, it is still important for him to get the nutrition from the formula. I started with dinner, then added breakfast, then added lunch. It was a gradual process. Also remeber to only introduce a new food once every 3 days and start with the lighter colored ones (applesauce, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots)and work towards the darker (green beans, peas, spinach). Hope this helps you out.

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K.M.

answers from Casper on

Hi S.,
My middle girl had the constipation problem too even though she was breastfed, so I switched her to oatmeal cereal instead of rice and that was a big help. Since you are just starting out with solids keep all bottle feedings the same and feed him one cereal w/veggie or fruit at night time right before bed and do this for a few weeks and then add in a breakfast for a few weeks and then add in a lunch. Feed him the solids first and then a bottle right after to wash it down. They say to just do one type of baby food a week, but I didn't do this just because nobody in my family has allergies so I gave my girls all sorts of kinds. ANother thing is you only need like a tablespoon of cereal mixed with a half jar of baby food to start out unitl he is eating more and you will know if he wants more. I hope this helps!!!

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R.L.

answers from Provo on

your babies main food for the first year should be formula supplemented by cereals and other solids. i usually give my baby a bottle first thing after naps and then wait an hour and give her oatmeal cereal mixed with something else like a fruit or softer solids like carrots and peas. She is now 10 months old and we have started giving her finger food. If you are concerned whether he is getting enough you should talk to your doctor/pediatrician and they can help also.

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R.K.

answers from Missoula on

S.,
First I'm curious if you have spoken to your child's Dr.
about starting your child on solids, and did you start with a
cereal first of right into vegetables? I've had 4 kids and
with all of them I breatfed, and started them on rice cereal around three months and gradually worked into one food at a time to see how they responded to it and how they digested it
also to make sure they were not allergic to it. The schedule of solids should be as we eat solids breakfast, lunch and dinner with bottles in between or at nap time... this gets them in the routine of sharing the same schedule you have for your meals. The one thing that I learned with my children,
every child is different let your child be your guide they usually are your best indicator. Hope this helps.

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O.F.

answers from Provo on

Sounds like your doing great. I have a 3 yr old and 1 1/2 yr old. I was told by our pediatrician that you should still do breastmilk/formula regularly like the same as before and that feeding solids is just more for the baby to start learning and adjusting to eating solids, especially for the first two months of eating solids. Baby should still get most nutrients from breastmilk/formula rather than solids.

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K.A.

answers from Provo on

I didn't read through all the advice you have recieved, but I agree totally with Krystle M. I have a 9 month old and it is what I did. Sticking with family meal times helps baby participate with family schedules. After that I fill in with milk (I nurse) and then crackers for little snacks.

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S.L.

answers from Boise on

I only know what has worked for me and my boys, so that's what I'll tell you.
I started my boys on solids because they were starving to death otherwise. So it wasn't really a problem just adding solids to their regular feedings. I did that at lunch time and dinner time. I let them eat their fill, then nursed them if they wanted afterward. In between meals, I nursed them on demand, for "snacks."
Well, that's how it started out. But my first got too hungry during the night when he ate dinner at 5 or 6 pm. Part of that is that he had a late bedtime (10 pm--for many reasons). So I added another feeding of solids about an hour before bedtime, and that solved that problem.
I think the most important thing is to keep a schedule. Your body gets to where it knows when it's time for lunch and then dinner, and I don't just mean when you get hungry. Like those fiber commercials on tv, you can really get to where you even have to go to the bathroom at the same time every day, too. Which is really nice when you have a baby. I remember with my second son, I knew that he would have a messy diaper at 11 am every day.
Oh gee, I can't believe I'm writing this, because I HATE schedules. They make me feel confined. I suppose that speaks for how important they truly are for babies!

The new information about what to feed when is that it doesn't really matter. Grains first, then the others, but it doesn't matter after that. Just go with what your baby likes and keep it balanced.

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J.F.

answers from Billings on

You need to be really careful when introducing foods to babies. It sounds like you're introducing them too fast. Keep giving him his bottle, because at 5 1/2 months he is not ready to have solids be his main source of nutrition, that would be WAY to h*** o* his system. A good way to do it is to start off by introducing rice cereal, fed from a spoon, not from a feeder/bottle. Then gradually start him off on veggies, fruits should come later because if he starts off on sweet food, he may not like the taste of veggies and it is often harder to get them to eat those, although every kid is different (You can also mix fruits into rice cereal once he's used to that and it helps make that introduction easier and more gentle). Only feed him one thing at a time right now and make sure that you give him several days of trying something before you introduce anything new. That way if something makes him sick or he has a reaction to it then you know what's causing the problem and you can avoid it in the future, plus it will help him tolerate the new food easier. Try giving him bottle for at least the first part of his feeding then give him several bites of whatever baby food you are going to feed him.

Don't worry about giving him too much of his bottle.....if you wanted to, you could still have that be his only source of food. They suggest that you can start introducing food between 4-6 months, but usually recommend that it's closer to 6 months for better toleration and fewer food allergies and sensitivities to their systems.

Good Luck!

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D.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

You need to talk to your pediatrition. He/she can give you correct information.

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T.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My 5 month old eats solids every time the family has a meal. It helps him feel a part of the family. (He actually gets mad if we don't feed him right away at meal times.) Other than that I nurse him every three hours. For example he nurses at 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm(right before bed). He will then eat his solids around 8am, 12pm, and 5pm. If he seems constipated try adding some apple juice or prune juice to his cereal. You could also just give him some prunes. That will usually help relieve the constipation. I hope this helps.

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M.P.

answers from Provo on

At 5 months, his main nutrition should still come from the formula. My pediatrician doesn't even suggest starting solids until 6 months and we begin with rice cereal. After the baby has eaten cereal for a while we begin slowly introducing veggied one at a time. I would think you should continue feeding bottles as you have but start giving solids a couple of times throughout the day. My baby is 10 months old and I usually will feed him solids a few times a day and then let him finish off the meal by nursing. Then he just nurses at other times. You should talk to your pediatrician to see what he recommends for your baby.

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K.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

When I first started my baby on solids I would alos and still do alternate between baby food and bottle. I just want to make sure that my baby is getting all the nutrients that she needs. And with the constipation its just his body getting used to the baby food. I will have to say they do get a stronger smelling but they are so easy to clean up because its solid. Good luck and your doing a great job.

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B.R.

answers from Denver on

Our schedule looks like this:
7 am - bottle
10 am - solids
1 pm - bottle
4 pm - solids
7 pm - bottle and off to bed
Our doc told us to start with cereal as well as yellow and orange fruits and vegetables (except corn and citrus) first and hold off on green veggies until 8-9 months when their tummy can take it a little better.
5 months is still really young so it might take some time to get into a routine or to even get him used to eating solids and new textures.
If he is so constipated, you might try to stay away from the BRAT diet and just go with things like pears, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.

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A.H.

answers from Salt Lake City on

It just depends on what he likes. At daycare my son alternates between solids and a bottle. When we get home I try to give him both for "dinner" around 5-6 and then a bottle right before he goes to bed 8-9. My son is almost 8 months old, but I fed him about the same as you do when he was 5 months old. When he wakes up at night I just give him a bottle and also first thing in the morning. I don't know if this helps at all, but you sound like you are doing ok. If he is growing and seems satisfied don't work yourself up about what is "right" and "wrong".

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

I feel that right now he needs the formula more than the solids. I gave both my boys food once in a while during the day. Then bottle fed them at night. I started a routine soon after their eigth month. By then, they wanted to eat when I did. So I would feed them a little and if they acted hungry, I gave them the bottle. My youngest was eating more solids than the older one at an earlier age. He was about seven months old. Just go slow. Only give him one kind of food at a time for a couple of weeks, then introduce another kind for another two weeks. If you go slow, you shoul be fine. My oldest was always constipated, but I don't know if it was from the food or what. He still reacts that way with milk products. He can't have too much. I hope this helps. Good luck!!!

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A.R.

answers from Denver on

S., when I started my daughter, the pediatrician told me not to worry with how much solid food she was eating at first. He said that we'd eventually get to 3 meals a day. I was still breastfeeding and still nursed her on demand, but we did sit down and attempt to eat solids 3 times a day. Wheather she actually ate was a differnt story. Now at 11 months, her nursing has tapered and she eats at least 2 good meals a day, but at 5 mos. old, I'd focus on the bottle still. Hope this helps.

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H.G.

answers from Denver on

A great resource for me was Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron. She goes into great detail about what to feed, when and how to make it.
H.

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E.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

You have to expect a little constipation when you first start. A baby's poop is generally runny (from milk) and a little thicker (from formula). Once you start adding the solid foods, the stools will become more solid (like an adult's). It's possible he's not ready and doesn't have the strength to relax his rectum while pushing. Some babies tense up EVERYTHING, which doesn't release the stool, especially a solid one. I'd wait another month or so an then try again. Or maybe do two bottle feedings for every solid feeding, which might loosen the stool and make it a little easier for him. If it's still a little tough, try three bottle feedings for every one solid feeding and so on.

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J.T.

answers from Provo on

My name is J. and I am from Utah. When I had kids (Lord, a million years ago), the dr. told me that when you usually start babies on solids you usually don't have to go back to formula. That could constitute a "fat baby". A bottle at night for a while is still a good thing until your child seems not to need it. they will let you know by not drinking as much or none at all of the bottle.

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L.N.

answers from Providence on

Dear S.,

Sorry if I repeat any advice. They recommend starting on food between 4-6 months. Although during the 4 and 5 months they recommend just rice cereal. Then at 6 months you can introduce fruits and veggies, which they suggest doing veggies first. Introduce one thing for about 5 days and if they seem to tolerate it fine, then you can introduce another. I believe puree meats aren't supposed to be introduced until 8 or 9 months? Solids probably shouldn't be given during the night. Formula should be his main intake still. My friend used puree prunes when her daughter became constipated and it worked well. Hopefully this helps

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A.J.

answers from Denver on

Hi S.,

I have a 6-mo-old. I've done some research on solids and this is what I've found: babies really should be getting most of their nutrition from breastmilk, or formula. Starting solids is more for practice, are definitely beneficial, but should not be the main source of nutrients. My doc says to feed her solids twice a day but I've been sticking with once or sometimes even waiting a day in between. A good time to feed solids is an hour or so after nursing or bottle-feeding so their not too full but not miserably hungry. I don't feed her close to bedtime because she gets cranky and I don't introduce new stuff on weekends in case of an allergic reaction without access to the doc. Here's a great site for this info: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/first-foods.html.... It supports breastfeeding but I don't see why you couldn't use the principals for a formula-fed baby either. Good luck!

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

As young as he is, at my kids age, I gave them both, he really doesn't need the solids right now but sure needs the formula. I would give my kids some cereal and mix in veggies and then after about six or seven bites, give them a bottle. As they got each month older I would add more solids to the mix and then still give them a bottle just less ounces, then a bottle with more in it between meals.

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K.F.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My son started eating solids at six months and it's been about a month now. He eats a bottle every other meal about six ounces per bottle 4 bottles per day, about three solid meals. It's a lot, but I'm told that's what they're supposed to be getting, and that it will decrease over time. It's working great for us. If you're worried about nutrition, try rice cereal, they pack it with vitamins for when a baby can't eat many foods.

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S.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Right now the bottle is still where most of his nutrition should come from. I feed my babies their bottle (or breast) every three hours and then just give solids at night. Maybe start adding solids in the morning. Right now you just want to introduce them to solids.

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R.T.

answers from Provo on

solids are intended to be supplemental to a baby's milk... not to replace at this point. Every feeding should start with his bottle of milk, then feed solids after the milk at your chosen solid feeding times. My daughter (7 months old) has a bottle or nurses about every 4 hours and eats solids (cereal plus a single fruit or vegetable) at breakfast (7:30ish) and dinner (anytime between 4:30 and 6, depending on when she's ready to eat). If he's getting constipated thin out his solids a little (we mix ours with formula so she's got the milk nutrition with it) and make sure that you're just giving him a single fruit or vegetable at each feeding with his cereal. His digestive system is still immature and can't necessarily handle combinations yet. Good luck with the kiddos!

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J.N.

answers from Denver on

Hi S.,

Until they are a year old their main source of nutrition is breat milk/formula. Introducing solid foods at this point is really to help them get used to different tastes, textures, and the process of moving food around their mouth. I recommend a wonderful book called "Super Baby Food;" it really helped me figure out when to introduce different foods (some are introduced later because of the potential for allergies or because they are harder to digest), how much, and how much breast milk/formula per day children of a particular age should receive.

Here is what the book recommends for feeding beginning eaters that are younger than 6 months old: ripe avocado, ripe banana, sweet potatoes, single-grain infant cereals (rice, barley, millet or oatmeal), and mild fruits such as apricots, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, and prunes. For babies under 6 months the book recommends that fruits be cooked and strained because it is easier on their digestive system (except for banana and avocado). Food should be pureed to a thin and smooth consistency (it should only be slightly thicker than breastmilk/formula consistency and should pour off the spoon into your baby's mouth- add water to the food until it reaches that consistency). It recommends one serving of food per day (typically one-four tablespoons), working up to two servings per day. It also says your baby should be still breastfeeding at least 5 times a day or drinking 32 ounces of formula a day. It says to offer partial feeding from the breast/bottle with each meal. Also offer water between meals.

I hope this information is helpful!

J., mom to Zach (2 years old) and Talia (3 months old)

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T.T.

answers from Denver on

He really should only be on cereal right now, fruits and veggies at 6 months. Usually. Otherwise, solid foods right now should be in addition to his formula. He should be having the same amount of bottles as he was having before he was on solids. You could try adding a splash of prune juice to his cereal, that might help with the constipation. Otherwise, the constipation is a sign that he's getting more than his system can handle, to hold back on some things for now. Keep up with the cereal, I always fed it to my kids in the morning, and then make sure he's drinking enough bottles. Try the fruits and veggies again next month. And always let him try one for 3 or 4 days before introducing another, so you can tell if he has an allergy.

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L.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have a 14 month old son and two older daughters, 9 & 13. It's funny we forget from one to the next what worked & what didn't. I think my mother remembered what I did with the first two more than I did :) Anyhow, when we inroduced solids to out little guy we kept all the bottle feeding the same but just added the solids, first at "dinner time." Then as he was eating more quantity of food, we'd add another mealtime, like in the morning. Then added a third feeding later around the middle of the day. THat way their little bodies get used to having it around the same time each day and can work through the digestive process. And the bottle feedings continue as usual so you know their getting the nutrients they need form that. It seemed to work pretty well. Best of luck to you.

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S.H.

answers from Provo on

it is normal for them to get constipated when starting new foods. give him more water and some prunes

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A.W.

answers from Pocatello on

Up until 6-7 months old your baby should still be getting most nutrition from breastfeeding or formula of about 32ounces a day. If he's not getting this much you need to decrease the amount of solids....only offerring solids at the noontime meal after some formula or half a meal at noon and half around dinner before bed. A serving size for this age is only 1-2 Tablespoons of fruit or veggie, and only up to a half cup of cereal......also, babies need to add a little water into their diet once they start on solids...
You should check out the book, Super Baby Food, by Ruth Yaron, they have it at the library, or cheap on Amazon....this book became my Bible!! It has everything you need to know regarding feeding babies and toddlers...food introduction, preparation, serving size, nutrition, etc. etc, and is really easy to use. Good Luck

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A.C.

answers from Boise on

The best advice I got was "You can't do it wrong." I kept doing nursing or a bottle along with the solids and ended up alternating a bottle and solids about every 2-3 hours. It has worked for us. He's a very healthy 12 month old now!
Constipation comes from the change in diet not the alternating. Just make sure he gets enough fluids and once you introduce things try not to always have the "binders" (banana, apple, rice). Do a half a jar of prunes every once in a while.

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S.W.

answers from Denver on

I never changed the bottle routine when I introduced solids...I simply added the solids to the routine and normal meatimes.

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C.B.

answers from Denver on

Everyone does it a little differently, but here's what I did with my 3 sons (ages 5 1/2, almost 4 and 2): breastmilk or formula is the main source for nutrition until they are one year old. I kept my roughly 4 hour breast or bottle schedule throughout the day then added in 3 solid "meals". Breakfast was usually cereal and maybe fruit, lunch was a vegetable and dinner was either a fruit or veg. with maybe some meat. Remember to wait a few days in between each new food so that you can identify any allergies. Solid meals may only be a few bites. Eating should be fun and it may take a few tries of the same food before you baby decided he likes it. good luck.

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A.A.

answers from Provo on

your main concern at such an early age is just giving your baby experience with solids and maybe a few more added calories. Therefore, the formula should continue as before with the addition of solid. The best thing to start with is rice cereal, then after a little while introduce the veggies. Try to do the same for a few days before you switch. That way their taste buds will learn to enjoy the veggies. Try to hold of on the fruits as long as possible. When you do add them, try offering them after the veggies. Treat:)

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M.M.

answers from Denver on

My understanding of solids is that they eat them 3 X a day. You nurse or give a bottle before every "meal" and at other eating times. It is also recommended that they have a serving of rice cereal every day for the nutritional value. If they are constipated check what food they have eaten (bananas tend to make my babies constipated). I also keep prunes on hand to help when they are constipated. Good Luck

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L.M.

answers from Denver on

My son is about the same age. We feed him a bottle first (since it contains most of the nutrition he needs), then anywhere from 30-60 minutes later we offer him baby food. We offer the baby food only during "meal times" (i.e., breakfast, lunch and dinner), not mid-morning, mid-afternoon or late evening (when he also gets a bottle).

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K.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

The majority of his nutrition should still come from formula. I think it's 24-36 oz of formula a day ALONG WITH solids. I always gave my kids solids at typical meal times. They usually had a bottle/nursed first thing, then had Fruit and ceral later in the morning around breakfast, solids at lunch and solids at dinner. In between the solids they had formula/breastmilk and even sometimes after eating solids if they were still hungry.

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J.B.

answers from Billings on

S.,
My son is now almost a year old. I too had all the same questions you do. What we have done is to offer food three times a day. At first we just did lunch and dinner and eventually added in breakfast. We still offered bottles several times daily after the feedings (and whenever else he seems to be hungry) which coincides with his nap and bedtimes. Eventually he will eat larger portions of the solid foods and rely less on the bottles. You can eventually add in an AM snack and an afternoon snack. They get very few calories from solid foods so you might not notice much of a drop in the amount of formula/breast milk that he is taking, especially at first. He was probably constipated from the type of food which can be different for all kids. You will figure out what constipates him or gives him loose stools as time goes on. BOTTOM LINE: There is no right way, just whatever works for you and your family. All babies and their mom's are different. :)

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J.C.

answers from Casper on

I would always with my kids feed them solids when they were hungry around the "normal" meal times, breakfast, lunch and dinner and then anytime that they were hungry in between those times it would be a bottle. I would feed cereal and/or fruit for breakfast, and veggies (or as they got older a veggie/meat combo) for lunch and dinner. To help with the constipation I would feed them prunes,apricots, plums or things with those in them and if you are doing juice then do apple or prune juice too. And after having 6 kids I have found that if I introduce the sweet foods first (any fruits, sweet potatoes, squash, sweet peas, sweet corn etc) they would do better at learning how to eat solids. Once they were good at eating the solid foods then I would start giving them other varities.

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E.R.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I never started solids until my baby was 6 months. She is in the 100%on height and 100% on weight. I think babies need to bottle feed or nurse often (sucking comfort). Just have your little one eat like you do. Cereal and maybe a fruit in the morning...veggies in the afternoon and drink in between. If consipation is a problem feed your baby prunes (Gerber B-food). It looks discusting but it works!!! Good luck.

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