wanting to introduce solids before 6 months?

[shann]

i have a 3 1/2 month old son he weighs just under 16 pounds so hes pretty big. he is also breastfed. i was thinking about starting him on rice cereal at 4 months just because hes so big and he seems to have alot of interest in my food when im eating. what does everyone think of starting my son on rice cereal at 4 months

 

[ArmyWife&MommyToAiden]

I started my son on rice cereal at 3 months. He is already eating 2nd and 3rd stage foods and he's 8 months now. Don't believe what everyone says about waiting. If he's interested in food, feed him! Good luck!

 

[~*~Braden's Mommy TD~*~]

There's really no point. At 4 months, just up the amount of formula or breastmilk he is getting. The size of your son really doesn't make a difference at this age...he's getting everything he needs from breast milk/formula.

I started solids at 4 1/2 months due to reflux, but if it hadn't been for that I wanted to wait to 6 months. It can cause food allergies to introduce solids too early. If you choose to do so, realize that you do not have to start with rice cereal. I started with sweet potatoes, then did green beans, then started fruits. you can start straight away with purees...rice cereal may be linked to eczema, and really doesn't have much nutritional value.

 

[Milly]

It's best to wait until closer to 6 months. He may be interested already which is great, but his body has to be ready as well. He needs to have good head control when sitting up, needs to have good control of his swallow and also his digestive tract needs to be ready to digest something much more complex than breast milk or formula. It is great that you're breastfeeding. That is all he really needs until 6 months, your body will make enough to keep him satisfied. Perhaps discuss this with your baby's doctor/nurse before you start just to make sure it is the right choice for your baby.

 

[oswegolindzmeta]

I think it will be perfectly fine if you start him on rice cereal at 4 months. I started my son on rice cereal at 4 months because his pediatrician gave us the go ahead to start solids.

 

[Zoey is getting so big!]

Solids can be introduced between 4 and 6 months. If your baby has head control, sits with support and has lost the thrust reflex (forcing things out of his mouth with tongue) then he is probably ready. Start off slow. Once in the morning and make the cereal really runny. Get ready for a mess and don't be surprised if more ends up being on him then he actually eats. He will probably make faces and spit most of it out. But keep trying he will get the hang of it.

 

[Vennice D]

My baby will be 3 months old in 2 days and she already weighs 16 lbs as well. The doctor told me to start her on rice cereal because she was doing the same thing your baby boy is doing. She was hungry all the time so i'm sure it's safe. I started out with plain cereal for the first few days and then I bought some with apple flavoring which they said was fine and she absolutely loves it. You may want to ask your doctor but since we're in the same boat I think it's fine.

 

[DAYZII]

My pediatrician recommends starting rice cereal at 4 months. You should check with your doc for guidelines for your little guy. FYI... once you introduce something other than breast milk his poop will start to smell... I learned that the hard way lol. It's all good though!

 

[Oli's mummy :-)]

My son started on solids just before he turned 4 months (i was advised by our pediatrician). I dont see any harm in starting your son on them at 4 months. Just take it slow and see how he goes, its how you feel really. If you think he is ready, give him a try and if he goes well then keep it up, if he doesnt maybe its a little too early for him.
Good luck

 

[U.F.R.]

hi.. i did.. my baby is also really big.. hes just under 21 pound and hes 5 months tomorow.. i have been feeding him solids since he was 4 months old.. he is on farex and he loves it.. i also mash up avacado and banana in some.. he loves that aswell.. i was scared to give my baby solids before 6 months because i was scared he was going to choke because he is used to liquid but if they were to choke or it wasnt good they wouldnt sell baby cerials 4 babys that are 4 months old..

 

[bethan]

if hes intrested go for it, 6 months is only an average, the worst that happens is a big mess he refuses to eat. good luck

 

[2/20/2009]

I also breastfeed :-D I started rice cereal and oatmeal at 4 months as well. My daughter is also a big baby and was at that time also, but I would have started it regardless.

 

[whatrukidding]

Most babies can start rice cereal when they are four months old - HOWEVER, I would double check with the doctor before you make that decision for yourself. Babies kidneys can be impacted by introducing solids too quickly, not to mention whether or not they are ready physiologically to eat solids. Double check with the pediatrician (who should ALREADY be telling you when to introduce solids), but four months is usually the very earliest to do so.

Congratulations on your baby, and best wishes!

 

[Iris]

i starting giving my son cereal a little bit at 4 months. I mixed it w the milk in his bottle. He was pooping like crazy lol. It was watery too. So, i stopped and waited till he was about 6 months old. You should wait a little longer. It wont hurt to wait.
Your son is not that big. At exactly 2 months old my daughter weighed 16.1 lbs lol and she was born 6.9 lbs. She was also breastfed..
Now that shes almost 3 months she weighs 19.2 lbs and my back is already killing me.

 

[gia]

considering the academy of pediatrics does NOT recommend this, and many doctors are recommending it---i wouldnt ask my doctor squat.

the most important issue is whether or not baby will like it, wants it, whatever---the issue is food allergies----the longer a baby nurses exclusively, the better long term health he has. you will produce more milk to make up for them.

remember---we are a nation with the highest childhood obesity rates----do we really think our doctors (who do not have formal training in nutrition) are doing a great job in advising us on how to feed our babies?

 

[rebbyshy1]

thats perfectly fine in fact they expect the child to start around 4-6 months and if your baby seems ready and is interested then by all means go right a head