Starting Solids... - Chico,CA

American pediatricians are the only doctors in the world to say it's OK to start solids at 4 months. In every other country they have done extensive research proving their digestive systems cannot break down complex carbohydrates (any type of cereal) until after 6 months - many countries even say 8-9 months and start with fruit and veggies at 6 months only if they have teeth. If you do choose to do cereal this early mix with breastmilk or formula since that should be the most of their nutrition, water would be giving them empty calories (the cereal) with no nutritional value. I wouldn't introduce fruits and veggies until 6 months atleast.

I would call your pediatrician's office and do whatever they tell you to do.

I started my son on rice cereal at 4 months, then introduced other veggies at 6 months. I mix the rice cereal with breastmilk or formula, whichever you have. I make my sons's baby food at home (so much cheaper!) and I started with sweet potatoes. I waited a week each before trying peas, then carrots, and then green beans. Just make sure to dump out the water from the carrots when pureeing because it's full of nitrates. My pediatrician said to mix up feeding greens and oranges, because for some reason it'll make baby's nose turn orange if you feed them nothing but carrots for a while. And if baby doesn't like it at first, keep trying, or wait a few days and try again. Good luck!

I think water is fine. I use formula and/or breastmilk with the rice cereal rather than water since the stuff tastes like cardboard! You can also try oat cereal. My doctor recommended starting with fruits first, then veggies than meats. Also you should feed her the same food for at least 3-4 days before moving on to a new one so you can rule out any allergy. You can mash up a banana really really fine and mix with formula or breast milk to get a more watery consistency. Since your baby is only 4 mos old - I wouldn't rush it too much. The majority of nutrition still comes from formula/breast milk. Good luck and have fun!!!

My only suggestion is don't start her on the sweeter tasting things (fruit) first because once she gets used to the sweetness, you'll never get her to eat the veggies!

I don't think I've ever added water to the rice cereal. It would have been either formula or breast milk. How come you're not using those instead? Wait about a week or so on trying out veggies or fruits. Let her get use to rice cereal and I just like to make sure there is no food allergies before introducing something new. Also when you do decide to expand, start off on veggies first, not fruits. That's just my opinion. Good luck!

We mixed the cereal with formula. We made up a bottle, mixed the cereal and fed it, then fed the bottle. We waited until 6 mos to inroduce veggies first then fruits. This is what our pediatrician recommended. They say introducing them early can cause food allergies. When we did start foods we introduced one food over the course of at least 2-3 days to see if there was a reaction.

If I were you I would just stick with the cereal...It won't hurt one bit. In fact if you breastfeed they say you can skip baby food all together and just go to table food at one year. I'm not sure if this is the same if you bottle feed. We bottle fed and didn't have any issues at 6 mos.

Good luck, so much fun at this stage!

You mix the cereal with breast milk or formula but there is nothing wrong with water (that's what you mix the formula with). The current thinking is that children who start a variety of foods early (before 6 months) are less likely to have food allergies later. The thought on introducing 1 food at a time is in case she has an adverse reaction to it you will know which single food it was and not have to try to figure out which of many it was.

You should be mixing the rice cereal with breastmilk or formula, which ever you normally feed your daughter. Don't use water.
As far as fruits and veggies, go ahead in a day or two. Offer her some ripe mashed banana, or mashed ripe avocado. The sweet potato you suggested would be fine too, but I liked starting with foods I didn't have to cook or prep in any real way, just mash and feed. Really simple.
Some people will insist that you have to start with veggies or your kid will wind up with a preference for sweet food and never eat the veggies. Not true.
Good luck.

The thinking on introducing solids is changing. There used to be a pretty set practice of "cereal first, fruits and veggies later". But you can certainly start with fruits and veggies! Newer studies are finding that introducing foods like vegetables isn't likely to *cause* an allergy. The reason for introducing new foods a few days apart is to tell if the baby already has an allergy.

My son will be 6 months this week; he's been on very small portions of veggies and then fruit since about 5 months. He has never had rice cereal at all.

Also I highly recommend making your own baby food whenever possible. Not only is it higher quality, but I can confirm that it tastes way better :) Wholesome Baby Foods is a great site that explains what foods are good for what ages, and how to cook up various foods for your baby.

You heard wrong about the water. It has no calories. I started mine on rice cereal at 4 months, then fruits and veggies at about 6 months. Water is not harmful, and our (older) bodies NEED it to keep our internal organs working properly. She is getting it from the breast milk already, but if you were feeding formula, you would be mixing IT in water anyway. I mixed with water.

from what i understand the recommendation is only breastmilk until 6 months, then rice cereal.

Breast milk or formula is best.

6 months is the recommended time to start solids.

Use breastmilk or formula to mix the cereal. www.wholesomebabyfoods.com has lots of great info, as well as recipes!