Starting solids early

Posts: 5367
2/8/12 1:40 A

we do 6 months. A lot of people I know who started early with food now have kids with food allergies. interesting info on the previous posts.

Posts: 7
1/27/12 10:20 A

Thanks everyone! We tried gas drops just in case she didn't want the bottle because she was uncomfortable, we also tried the faster flow nipples but none of it worked. She has gotten a little better over the past week but she still loses interest. Yesterday I gave her a couple bites of VERY thin rice cereal (about a teaspoon) and after that she drank a whole bottle. I am hoping that was all she needed (a little taste of something new) and that we can wait to continue with solids until she is 4/5 months but we will see. :)

Posts: 2894
1/26/12 8:14 P

Experts say 4 months at the earliest and recommend waiting until at least six months. Now, I'm a smart gal, but I bow to medical professionals on health issues. Therefore, we don't do solids until 6 months or later. Our pediatrician says there are no real benefits and some health risks for starting solids early (I asked because I was desperate for DD#1 to sleep longer. Solids made no difference in her sleep patterns/habits, or maybe made them a bit worse. Anywho.)

I agree with PP, there are lots of reasons babies feed less for a time. For example, I have noticed mine aren't as interested in feeding when they are working on achieving a new milestone. I think you should be patient!Good luck!

Posts: 778
1/26/12 6:23 P

All the advice out there says four months at the earliest, but I'm sure our generation and our parent's all started foods at different times.

Another reason she might be losing interest in the bottle feedings is that she needs a faster flow nipple.

Good luck!

Posts: 45
1/26/12 4:19 P

How long has she been doing this? I ask because my son has gone through many phases of doing that and then after a couple weeks he is back to loving his bottles. He has probably done this 4 times now for a couple weeks each time and he is only 5 months. My dr said there are many reasons why a baby loses interest in their feedings, but they get over it. I see that this has been true for us. I would say to try and hold off as long as possible because her new little digestive system probably can't handle too much yet and there is a greater risk of allergies and asthma if you start solids too soon. But as with everything that comes with being a parent, you need to do what you feel is right and that will be exactly what your baby needs!

Posts: 541
1/26/12 4:03 P

Have you tried infant gas drops?? My neice was a big spitter-upper and they helped (wal-mart has a great value product that is cheaper than the name brands) starting solids won't solve the problem if it is a reflux issue, or it could just be some babies spit up more than others, nothing related to solid readiness

Posts: 7
1/26/12 3:23 P

From the day we brought her home we sit with her and cuddle during feedings and at night we sit in the dark and keep everything relaxed. If we are someplace where there is a lot of commotion we try to get as far from it as possible but she just spits out the bottle after a couple ounces. We really wanted to hold out until 5/6 months to start solids so we could keep bonding over the bottles (which I know won't completely end for a while but it's still sad) but if she is ready then of course we will do what's best. We really are trying to just enjoy every moment and make it go slowww :)

Posts: 541
1/26/12 2:18 P

I started baby #1 at 4 months...and baby #2 at 6 months...I made all of Baby #2 food...she hated the rice cearal and I added to everything I made so that she got the added iron...my babies were fast sitters and head holders up...MHO...let them be babies as long as you can...too soon they aren't anymore...I miss the special cuddle time bottles allow...maybe baby is bored with the bottles because they are distracted by whats going on around you...try to make just about baby and you, quiet area, soft lights, and soft voices....ah, I miss that!

Posts: 7
1/26/12 2:13 P

Hey everyone! So LO is now 12 weeks and is bored with her bottles, holds her head up, and generally is showing the signs of being ready for solids. That being said I called the pediatrician today to see if it is alright to try giving her solids or if daddy and I should hold off. Of course she said to hold off if we can but that if baby is ready then try starting small with some rice cereal. Anybody else start giving solids early? What did you give and how much?