What Did You Do?!

I started both my kids with rice cereal at 4 months and at veggies at 6 months. My daughter took to it, my son did not want anything to do with it. He started eating veggies at 5 months, he eats cereal now but did not want it at first. Good luck!!!

I never gave my baby cereal food. I started with Gerber and Beech Nut #1 jar food at 4 months and he did just fine. I did it mainly because he had constipation problems. And now that I now it works, I won't bother doing the cereal thing if we have another child.

Don't give solids till six months that is the new recommendation----I didn't listen start prior to 6 months our son now 23 months old has suffered from multiple food allergies now. He is allergic to peanuts very bad -- tree nuts--soy--milk--eggs and mild to wheat........Don't be to anxious to start-breastfeed for a long time-our life is misery trying to feed him and he has ecezma from the allergies-which is terrible to handle----------A mom of three-------16-13 and 23 months old----------- I started all over with him !

Ok, first, the recommended age to begin solids is 6 months of age (this is from the American Academy of Pediatrics). Very few babies are ready to start at 4 months old. Breastmilk has all the protein your baby needs right now. Your baby's stomach is not ready to digest much other than breastmilk, especially MEAT! You've already said your baby has not reached to milestones yet that show that she is ready to even consider solids. If you insist on starting her so early, stick with very small amounts of cereal mixed with breastmilk. Her body just is not ready for anything else & you risk causing allergies to develop & gastrointestinal problems. I know it's exciting to start your daughter on solids, but PLEASE consider waiting till her little body is ready!

Oh I wouldn't do that. I had to take my baby to the gastroentologist (stomach specialist) because of reflux and stuff. He said not to give a baby meats until they were 7 months old, when my pediatrician had said six. He also said to start with the light meats and work your way up to dark. So you should go turkey, chicken, ham, then beef. This is also what the pediatrician said. The reason they tell you all this stuff is so that your baby develops properly. Even if there weren't any negative effects right away there could be years down the line. You never know. She get lots of protein from your milk. Do whatever you feel is right, but is it really that important what her first solid food is? You could always make her that nice pot roast when she's learning how to feed herself, and get lots of cute pictures :) Oh, yeah the gastro also said to give him oatmeal instead of rice, because rice causes upset stomachs.

Go for it!!

You sound like you and your baby are ready and while I can't say meat was the first food for my munchkie, it was certainly in the first 5 or so.

Mine started with butternut squash and sweet potatoes, then came meats and sweets. Whatever your baby wants to eat is good!

My little ones weren't ready at 4 months to eat solids even though my doctor gave the go ahead. They finally came around at 5 months. Neither one of my babies likes the rice cereal and at this last visit my little boy didn't gain enough. The doctor said I had to find a way to get the cereal in there for the carbs because my little guy is so active. So I mix it with fruits and they both eat it just fine now. As far as the meat thing goes... I was told there really isn't any first stage meats because a baby's digestive system isn't capable to handle it. My doctor moved them to stage 2 foods just before 7 months and that's when most of the meats are introduced. But you're her mommy... go with your gut. It's really all about what you feel is right for your baby. Hope that helps you.
Take care~
B.

you asked "what did I do?"

I waited until into my babies' 6th month to start solids.
I waited for all the signs: able to sit up fully upright without toppling over, didn't push foods back out (no tongue thrusting reflex), was able to bring objects with hands into mouth...

I read this article which states, as I believe, there is no reason to start foods in any particular order: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9646449/

I started w/ avocado, banana, sweet potato & pretty much just gave oatmeal or barley cereal sometimes to mix in w/ jarred fruits/veggies (all organic)

I did not introduce proteins until babies are 9months old- beans, poultry, soy, meat, yogurt, egg yolk, etc

I am very interested in this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby-led_weaning

http://www.borstvoeding.com/voedselintroductie/vast_voeds...

http://www.babyledweaning.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/B-LW/

http://blwbaby.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_blwbaby_archive.html

http://www.myblwexperiences.blogspot.com/

this is what I do/did.

~L.

I would start with rice cereal beacuse it's easy for babies to digest it. Then move on to fruits and vedtables. Try stage one fruits and vegetables beacuse if your baby develops allergies you can pinpoint what caused it. I just started giving my baby protein and she 6 1/2 months old. I just feel that protein is a litte hard to digest to try as your baby's frist food. Good luck hope everything works out

S.-

First off, I would never give a baby solids before 6 months, and I am consistently shocked by peds who are still recommending this. The AAP says to wait until AT LEAST 6 months to offer anything other then BM or formula. I know many nursing mothers who have waited much, much longer. It has been proven that early introduction of solids leads to obesity, diabetes, and higher incidence of food allergies.

Both of mine got solids right around 6 months and I began with Avacado, as it is very similar in fat content to BM, it is also soft and mild for baby. I personally wait until close to 2 to do meat, but that is simply a personal preference. I do not know of any specific reason a baby couldn't have meat first, but have not researched it. My gut says it would be hard for a little gut to digest. If you are wanting to start with protein, what about beans? Like I said though, meat may be fine.

As an aside, neither of mine have ever had the cereal. I do not think it is a good food at all, it is refined white rice, which I don't even eat!

Hi S.,
Since your baby is only 4 months you should not start her off on meat. I think you should wait with the meats until she is at least 6 months it may be hard for her to handle right now. You should start her off on fruits and veggies and try one every 4 days to make sure she doesn't have any allergies to them. Since you are breastfeeding she really is getting everything she needs from you. Even though her doctor is telling you to give her the food now she may not be ready. But you'll know. I hope this helps, good luck to you!!

I would say start with the rice cereal. Your baby's stomach is still new and not use to food, just her milk. And you are right, starting her too soon can give her allergies. Especially if its not plain, no seasoning or anything. Take it slow, there is really no rushing this. You might even find out she is not even ready for food yet, some peditricians even recommend waiting until 6 months old to even start on the cereal. All babies are different, and you have to weigh the risks of it all. Personally, I would start on the cereal, and then if all is going well, a month later starting on veggies and fruits. Meats should come later, like 9 months or later. Your baby is getting plenty of protein for the breatmilk and will be just fine. Meat is more complex and harder to digest, even if pureed. Its okay to go slowly with this, and better for you and her.

Because your doctor advised to start solids, I would only start with rice cereal. Their little digestive systems are not fully developed for solids (such as fruits, veggies, meats) until 6 months at the earliest but cereal is pretty mild. Starting solids is more for the practice of it than for the nutritional value since all of their nutrients should come from breast or bottle feedings. I started my daughter with cereal at 5 months and then added peas at 6 months and every 4 days added another veggie and then I started adding the sweeter fruits. Good luck!

My daughter hated the plain cereal, but she loved pears. I read that hardly anyone is allergic to pears, so I started her on those. Now she is 16 months old and she LOVES fruit and vegetables. She'll turn down a cookie for a banana or some peas! I've never heard of starting babies on meat, though. Remember they are getting protein from breastmilk or formula.

Hi S.,

I also started my first son on cereal, fruits and veggies a little too soon. Ditto with the allergies. He suffered with ear infections and upper respirtory infections until well into his 5th year. At age 3 we were at the allergist because he should of outgrown the ear infections. I was a sahm also and did not have the excuse that daycare was keeping him sick. aI remember vividly the day I took him to the allergist at 3 years old and they had to prick his back 32 times and try to get a vial of blood from his arm. With my second child I was not so anxious to start the solids. I now know so much more about infants being a program director of a Healthy Start program. Are you breastfeeding because totally breastfed babies can wait to start solid between 6 and 8 months. Formula babies can also wait to six months before solids. The reason why the recommendation for the first solids is rice cereal is because it is easily digested. I hope the dr told you to start one food at a time and give it at least 3 days before you try something new. This is so you will know if your baby has a reaction to something you will know what food it is. It is also recommended that you try the different cereals until you know that she can tolerate each. So try rice first, then oatmeal, barley, and mixed last. Then it is time to start the vegtables next. Studies have shown that when babies start fruit after the cereal, they tend to not like veggies because they are not sweet. Adding meat should not occur until baby is at least 8 months when their little tummies can digest them. Dont worry about protein missing from her diet because she is getting all she needs from either breastmilk or formula. Here are two websites that may help you make the best decision for your baby.
http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/solidsbroch.cfm

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4309.htm

Also, if no one has mentioned it when you start solids it should be with a spoon. I know so many people put solids in a bottle but the babies have to suck so hard to get it out of a bottle that they can damage their ears by rupturing their eardrums. Learning how to move the food around their mouths with their tongue is a developmental milestone that has as much to do with language development as it does with eating. So by allowing your baby to learn how to get the food off the spoon and moving it from the front to the back of the throat you will also be helping her learn to talk. It is so exciting to be a new mom and we have so many questions. I hope the two websites will help you make informed decisions that are best for you and your baby.

C.

I started my son on solids at four months. We started with rice cereal as well, but that constipated him so we switched to organic oatmeal. I tried him on meat once and he gagged and I haven't tried it since (he is now almost 8 months). Meat makes me nervous with him and he is definitely showing all of the signs of being ready for food (especially being very interested in what we're eating). You have to do what you feel is right. Good luck.

Hi, I was told no meat until later because they can't process the meat. I was always told breast milk is sufficient with cereals. You can try a multigrain cereal (other than rice) Try to google first foods for some recipes. I don't know anyone that's tried meat so early on. My daughter wasn't ready for solids other than cereals and pureed fruits/veggies until after 9 months. Your baby can get protein from certain veggies also. But I agree do with your gut. If you find there are stomach problems you can always cut back. Good Luck.

I felt the same way about my son's first food. Also, I BF and decided not to feed my son until he was 6 months old. 4 months might be too young and it could upset his stomach if his body's not ready. I suggest you wait. They suggest giving your baby vegetables, fruits, and then meat. The veggies first is to get your baby to like them, then fruit. Because you BF your baby is most likely to take to fruit easily because the breast milk is sweet to begin with. Okay, so I gave my son avacados as his first food. He didn't sleep well at night on the days I gave it to him. So I gave in and fed him rice cereal (organic GERBER) and he slept very well that night. I mixed it with breast milk and gave him just a little bit the first time. I'm hoping to mix it with formula a little at a time so I don't have to waste my breast milk on it (especially since half of it comes back out his mouth).

If you really want meat to be his first meal then I would just try it out and if he seems fussy then try something else 3-4 days later and try it again when she's a little older.

S.: Don't give your baby meat. She is SOOO not ready. If anything, you can start her on rice cereal. Add rice cereal to your breast milk. Technically you are supposed to put it in a bowl and feed her with a spoon but the old school way is to put it in a bottle with a nipple that can accomodate a thicker feeding. My baby is five months old and we haven't even gotten to bananas or avocados. Meat, regardless of how it is prepared, is WAY too much for baby's delicate system. You have to go SLOWLY with your baby and try to contain your excitement and focus on the needs of your little one. Annabelle Karmel's, "First Foods" is an excellent primer to take you beyond rice cereal but for the start, RICE cereal...not even oat. Be patient and remember that she is a BABY.

Babies are not ready at 4 months. I have read about this and their bodies can't handle digestion well with solids until 6 months. I would seriously look into how long it takes for a new digestive tract (newer than six months) to break down every thing, what is the easiest food to do this, and how comfortable will she be during this process.

Good luck,
Jen

We reservedly started at six months, with a little baby oatmeal (no way was I giving her rice cereal because of the risk for constipation) ... there is protein in the cereal if you're worried about that. I used one of those food chopper things (electric) and made baby food with bananas, avocado, other fruits and vegetables for the first few months. I think my daughter was about 8 months before I gave her some pureed chicken ... then I got worried I was going to fast, so backed way off solids for awhile and picked up again as she seemed more legitimately hungry (banging her little spoon was a pretty good sign) rather than just curious. She's 19 months old now and eats most everything we do in addition to breastfeeding. Some days she goes back to mostly nursing (like today she is a little under the weather) and I'm so glad to not worry about it so much. The ONLY reason I gave her cereal at 6 months was because of some recommendation I read that children who didn't get any cereal before 7 months were at somewhat higher risk for diabetes (which runs in my husband's family)...also the risk was increased if the cereal was started too soon (like four months). I hated to see her start solids .. growing up so fast :)

My son was not even remotely interested in solids until he was almost a year old. I breast fed him exclusively until then. He is very, very healthy--never gets sick, never had an earache, no food allergies, and is very good at regulating his food intake. He is a healthy weight and prefers a fairly healthy diet. I agree with some of the other posters that you shouldn't push solids too early and don't worry if she's not a big eater. My son maintained a very healthy weight during his first year.

I started mixing a little cereal with breast milk at four months. I didn't start anything other than cereal and BM untill 6 months. All of the steps are for progression from easily digested foods to gradually increased not so easily digested foods. The rice and oatmeal cereal are first because they are easiest on the very young system to digest. Then there are other cereals like barley, wheat, and mixes. Some cereals also include banana, which both my kids enjoyed.

After six months you can move to jar foods or your own unseasoned purreed foods. That is when vegies and fruits can be started. Starting vegies before fruits increases the chances of the child liking and accepting vegies. Both my kids love veggies and fruits, so that method seemed to work well.

No matter what you give, make sure that you give each new food for around a week or two consecutively to make sure no allergic reactions go unnoticed. The meets are the last foods to start the baby on because they are the hardest to digest. I think around a year or 2 is a sufficient wait to start meats.

There are also big allergy producers that should not be given until they around 2 or 3 years. I don't remember exact ages but they are products containing peanuts, honey, shellfish, and things like that.

Anyway, have fun whenever you do start solids. They can be quite a fun mess.

V.

S.,

I was told with both of my kids to start ONLY with rice cereal or oatmeal cereal for babies. That is what I did, plain. You are only supposed to add one new pureed food every 4-5 days. I was told not to start the pureed meats until my kids were around 8 or 9 months. Prior to that time it should all be cereal, vegetables and fruit. Even if you look at the gerber foods, none of the stage 1 foods contain meats, only stage 2. It also may be h*** o* her little digestive system. She will get all of the nutrients she needs from breastmilk or formula right now.

S.,

I have a 13 month boy and we started out on baby oatmeal (I was told by friends that some babies get constipated with rice cereal) mixed with breast milk. I tried to start feeding him around 5 months that mixture and I found that most of it was just pushed back out with his tongue. That was a sign that he was not ready for solids yet. Then we would try again and again every 2 weeks. Finally he was ready just after 6 months. Looking back, I was glad I didn't push him into solids earlier. After the fact, I have actually seen articles that say waiting until the baby is 5 or 6 months old to start solids is better (especially if you are breastfeeding) because of allergies and digestional stuff. PLUS, after you start feeding them solids you will see it is A LOT of work and the good old breastfeeding days were A LOT simplier... So take your time to get it started... you will have the rest of your life to feed them solid food...

As for the first foods, I think I would wait a bit on the pot roast. If my memory serves me right, they are getting all the protein they need from the breastmilk. As I mentioned, I started with oatmeal and breastmilk, then went to gerber's organic pears (mixed with oatmeal - for extra iron - the only thing I don't think our breastmilk gives them a lot of). I chose pears because they were also easy on the digestion track and would not cause constipation. The next food I went with was a veggie like peas or sweet potato (loaded with good stuff).

I personally waited awhile for the meat because that is a harder thing to digest and our babies are just beginners in that area. The potroast is also usually cooked with lots of veggies and onions and stuff, so you really are not introducing one item at a time. Just my thoughts for what it is worth...

Good luck!

A child has to learn to do everything including eating-so baby's first solids are really all about training your baby to eat and not nutrition (nutrtion gradually comes in after they learn to open their mouths, gum, and swallow)--their primary source of nutrition should still be formula or breastmilk. I know you worried about proteins, but the amount she is getting with BM or formula is actually enough until she switches over to regular milk (usually around 1 if on formula or 1-2 if BF). If ou feel she is underweight--then she needs more BM or formula!
And proteins are harder to digest than cereals or fruits--so you are really going to put a shock to her GI system by not introducing more digestible foods first. I don't think it will harm your baby or anything--I just think you will see some serious poop issues and possible vomiting along with food refusal, and are going to make the whole feeding process harder than necessary.

I really really really suggest you read a wonderful book called Child of Mine" Feeding with Love and Good Sense by Ellyn Satter.
http://www.amazon.com/Child-Mine-Feeding-Love-Sense/dp/09...
If you don't want to buy it, the library has it. But it has so much information of feeding babies and children. Which includes looking for signs of readiness (my son didn't start solids until after 5 months), what to feed and when.
I think after reading through that book you will have a much better understanding of baby's nutritional needs and how they learn to eat food.
Another wonderful book if yon are planning on doing all homemade is Super Baby Foods by Ruth Yaron.
http://amazon.com/o/ASIN/0965260313/ref=s9_asin_title_1/1...
She also has tons of info on when to start, great healthy recipes for baby food, how to prepare and store it and a wonderful index of foods nutritional info, and when to introduce it to your babies diet.
By following the advice of these two books I now have a healthy toddler that eats lots of fruits, veggies, and proteins....
so before you jump into feeding your baby hard to digest proteins right off the bat-please do your research!