When Is She Full?

You should NOT be feeding that baby solids, under any circumstances - there is a medical reason why all pediatricians and the american medical association urge that solids never be fed to a child under 6 months. She should be getting ALL of her nutrition from formula or breastmilk- you are doing her undeveloped digestive system a VERY grave disservice that may have serious consequences as a young child.
I recently read a study in the medical journal The Lancet (its one of those publications that is referred to in all sorts of print - they publish findings in studies and a whole slew of scientific/medical information) that linked childhood diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, to starting solids too early. It seems that feeding an immature digestive system - a baby under 6 months of age - any sort of solid effects the way the bodies immune system handles insulin. There is already a direct medical link between feeding solids too early and potential allergies, and there is just as strong a link between childhood diabetes (in children that are not obese and typically healthy in every other way) and early solids.
SO - NOT BEFORE 6 MONTHS, NO MATTER WHAT!
PLEASE call your pediatrician - he/she will give you even more reasons why you should NOT be feeding your infant solids - its so SO unhealthy for her, and she should be getting only milk. Im sure that he/she would NOT approve and would strongly suggest you take that child off solids.

My oldest loved "real" food from about 4 months too. She would cry and work her little mouth when she'd see us eat, so I knew she wanted to try food. I gave her some pretty adventurous stuff around that age (Indian food, salsa, Thai food) and she loved it all. Some kids just love food!

At this age, give her what she enjoys and if it is working for her little system, then why change that.

By the way, my daughter is now 5.5 and has been known to eat raw oysters, escargot, sashimi - she is quite the gourmand and food critic. She's thin as a rail, so in her case eating solids early had no ill effects in terms of diabetes, allergies or anything else. Her sister, who is built like a Sherman tank, didn't eat solids until after 6 months and has never liked any kinds of adventurous foods. Every child is different!

Hi A.,

Before we start saying things like absolutely no way under any circumstances...we need to remember that every baby is different and statistics and studies don't affect everyone. After all I was raised on cow’s milk starting at 6 weeks old and solids at 4 months and not an ounce of me was ever fat or diabetic. Most of my generation is thus the same…maybe the problem starts with what solids we are feeding our kids these days.

Okay back to the point…When my first started on solids, at 4 months, I started with the recommended 2 Tb of cereal and she seemed hungry and wanting more, so I asked my mom. She said the same thing yours did…she’ll let you know when she is full. Well, after 4 bowls, 8 Tb of cereal, I cut her off. When I asked the pediatrician, she said babies at 4 mo don’t understand full or the feeling of full, so they eat because it is fun and a new thing to do.

This is where the study that Kristin read about comes into effect. Parents that do not stop feeding their children at this age once they have eaten “a serving” have a much higher chance of becoming obese or worse diabetic as a young child. Their bodies become overloaded with carbs and their bodies become dependant and starving for sugars.

I agree with what Elizabeth said and also did the little bit of cereal then the boob thing with my first. Every child is different and my second did not start on solids till she was 7 months due to intolerance of dairy. But if your pedi and your babies nutritionist is on board with solids at 4 mo then you should do what works for her!! Everything in moderation…remember, her stomach is about the size of her fist.

Good luck!

That is great she is doing so much better. whatever works right. i would feed her how ever much food you were orginally and then top her off with some breast milk or formula...which ever you are doing. that way she isn't over eating food and if she doesn't seem interested in the boob or formula then she is probably full. i would say 4oz of food at her age is plenty but then again who knows, each child is different.

good luck.

Hi Asley,

The only thing I would say is at this age just make sure she's getting enough breastmilk/formula a day. If she enjoys the solid food...go for it! She'll probably change how much she wants from day to day but 1-1/2 tablespoons of cereal with some fruit/veggies at breakfast/lunch is a good start...

Good Luck!
J.

Hello A.,
From what I've read the only reason for giving babies food is for the experience, taste, touch, etc. They should be getting all their nutrients from either breast milk or formula. If I were you, and I'm not an expert by any means, I would go back to what you were doing before your family said anything. People are funny when it comes to feeding a baby. When my daughter was about 5 months old my dad heard she was eating solid food, so he tried to give her frosting off a birthday cake. People are food pushers when it comes to babies, do what feels right to you!
That's just my two cents.
C.

Hi A.,

I'm going to suggest the opposite of other posts, try bottle or breast feeding her, then give her the cereal. That way she starts off full of the nutrient packed food she needs. And you can give them rice cereal at this age, my ped. said it was fine when my little guy went on bottle strike (preferred the "tap")! Just don't give them other foods yet.

I agree with the woman who said she's probably just eating up a storm because it's fun and new! Give her a serving and feel it out - if she seems satisfied, be done. Maybe she just doesn't know how to give the full cues.

Enjoy your baby! If she's happy with food, you are happy and guess what, a happy mama = a happy baby = a happy family.

xoxo,
T