When did you first feed cereal?

[Kaitlin'smom]

Hi all


just wondering how old others have started ther little ones on food. I have lots of people telling me Kaitlin should be eating food now (she is 3 months) but I am waiting cause I tried it when I was working on her sleeping more at night (was told a full belly would help her sleep..ha) well it did not work she was up every 2 hours! oy. I think she had an upset tummy, well I was not sure so I tried it once more and same thing so I am waiting, i dont want to be the cause of discomforting her .

[MommyToAshley]

Our Ped told us not to give solids before 4 months old. And, all of the baby books and mags I read said the same thing. They say that you should not put cereal in a bottle, and babies usually don't show signs of being ready for solids by spoon until 4 months or older. They have a reflex that makes them push the food back out with their tongue. There are some other signs you should look for that signals when your baby is ready - -such as being able to sit up with little or no support, showing interest in food when you eat, etc.

My mother-in-law, a good friend, and my aunt also said we should put cereal in a bottle at 3 months and told me that it might help Ashley to sleep through the night. I decided to wait until Ashley was at least 4 months old and showing all the signs that she was ready. Others may disagree with my choice. It's just like everything else when it comes to parenting... it is your own decision. That's why I would recommend talking to your Ped and then making up your own mind and not listen to others.

[CantWait]

Robbie started eating RICE cereal at 2 months old. It helped him, but all babies are different. Some tummies can't handle so soon.

[Kaitlin'smom]

Heheh she wont take a bottle so putting cereal in there would do me no good....I am waiting until she is about 4 months befor I even try it again, she does look at me while I eat, okay she stairs at me unless I have to feed her while I am eating then she is happy. I have learned pretty well to eat with my right hand (I'm a lefty). She seems interested in what I am eating but I am not going to rush anything. She will grow up so fast I dont want to rush that! I was just wonder what other were doing.

[MommyToAshley]

I can understand that! I think my post sounded wrong now that I reread it. Besides, that is what this board is about -- asking questions from other moms, sharing what is or is not working with your child, and making new friends.

All I can say is that being a new parent is confusing sometimes. There seems to be a different opinion for just about every situation you encouter-- When to start solids, Let CIO or not, etc. And, what works for one baby doesn't always work for another. There are always experts on both sides with compelling evidence. All I can say is that I read it all and go with my gutt and hope I make the right choice.

[Kaitlin'smom]

Yep, I read alot and talk with lots of people, try some things and hope I make the right decision in whats best for my little girl. Your right there are as many sides to everthing as ther are ways of doing it, and I know sometimes I might not agree with her doc, they dont know everything and I dont expect them to. As long as she grows up happy and healthy thats all that matters in the long run.

[HomeIsCool]

Gee ... my answer is not there ... NEVER.

The AAP recommends not giving solids until 6 months ... early introduction of solids can lead to food allergies. Also, there are lots of signs to look for before giving food ... is baby interested, can baby sit up by himself, is the tongue-thrusting gone, does baby gag if you put food in his mouth, can he grab things with his thumb and first finger (pincher grasp) to feed himself? These are some of the things to look for.

My children did not get solids until they could feed themselves ... well, RJ had half a box of cereal and I bought 4 jars of baby food, gave two away. What can I say ... he was my first, I learned.

Barbara

[MommyToAshley]

QUOTE

Gee ... my answer is not there ... NEVER

There was a place for 6 months and "after 6 months"... wouldn't one of those apply to you? Or, do you mean you never gave rice cereal?

QUOTE

My children did not get solids until they could feed themselves

Barbara, just curious, what finger foods did you start your kids out with? Ashley is not a big fan of the mushy baby food, but I'm afraid she will choke on anything else. Her main meal is breastmilk, but I would like to slowly introduce her to table foods.



Kaitlin, I forgot to mention.. Before we started Ashley on solids, she would immitate us chewing when we would eat. haha. The first time she did it, I thought she really had something in her mouth and stuck my finger in there to make sure she didn't put something in her mouth. haha. If I feed her first, and then we eat later, she still does the same thing now.

[supermom]

This is a good thing, Ashley imitating you - it's good practice, even if you have to stick your finger in her mouth to make sure she's really not got anything

And, yes, HomeIsCool is right - no solids before six months. Actually, my doctor recommended waiting a bit longer (7-8 months) and then trying fruit first, since he still was BF exclusively. One of the reasons they say to start with cereal is because of the iron. At about 6 months, babies have used up most of their iron reserves from birth. But, he felt that because I was still taking my iron and prenatal vitamins (which ALL BF moms should do! - now down off my soapbox) that Anders would be ok for a few more months. Solids do NOT help babies sleep thru the night, as a popular wives tale would like you to believe. And Katlin is right, it was more than likely an upset tummy that kept her daughter awake....

He liked the fruit - better flavor - which made it easier to introduce other solids.....to get the iron in there we used to mix fruit with cereal to start. Also, you need to wait 4-8 days before introducing a new food just to make sure there aren't any allergic reactions to the new food. One GREAT thing about BF is that your babies get introduced to many, many different flavors before they ever get solids because you have got different flavors in your milk all the time from what you eat - it never tastes the same way twice! So, they tend to be a lot more receptive to different flavors of solid foods. Anders is almost 3 and he loves spicy stuff (we do to, so I am sure he got lots of tastes in his BM)- he loves Salsa, and has not hesitated to try jalapenos (although he did find them a bit spicy to his liking)!

Any finger food should not be easily breakable (off into small pieces) - we loved the zwieback toast and teething biscuits they sold in the babyfood section. A bit messy, but lots of fun!! I know that some of that is "processed food" but still, it does come in handy and they are a lot more careful about preservatives and additives than they used to be.

[Kaitlin'smom]

[QUOTE]One GREAT thing about BF is that your babies get introduced to many, many different flavors before they ever get solids because you have got different flavors in your milk all the time from what you eat - it never tastes the same way twice!

supermom....I knew that different things affect the BM but I never really thought about it until I was reading your post..............Sometimes Kaitlin eat as if there is no tomorrow, and sometimes she does not eat as much.....I will have to watch that and see what I have eaten to affect the taste. See if I can figure out what it is she like so much and drains one side in 5 minutes or less! Heheheh. I have been told it takes 12 hours to affect the BM but I dont really know if thats true. Has anyone been told different?

[supermom]

It depends on what you are talking about - since liquids are digested faster than solids, they can affect the taste earlier. And alcohol is quick too - usually 3-4 hours, not 12. (It is safe to have a glass of beer or wine now and then, and if you are really wanting to be "safe" then "pump and pitch" 3-4 hours afterwards).

Also, different people metabolize at different rates. You usually know how long it takes you to digest something - about the same time to make it into your BM "flavoring" - giggle!!

Sure glad Anders liked everything - laugh - just some things gave him more gas than others (like broccoli and cucumbers). Some is heredity, and if it gives you gas, it might give the baby gas too! Of course, at almost three, now he thinks THAT is funny!

[madaise]

I chose 6 mos or older.... but... we never did baby food or cereal. NOne of my kids have ever liked it. I don't think Teigen was really eating much of anything until he was close to a year. But then we did things like mashed potatos, french fries, applesauce, toast, crackers, banana, watermelon.. lots of stuff.

[Kaitlin'smom]

thanks for all the great input.......I plan on waiting till she is at least 4 months to try anything again, maybe longer, she sleeps good at night so that is no problem. heck she is still asleep right now! usually she wakes up once to eat! wohhooo

[HomeIsCool]

Okay .... I have to go to bed ... I will try to get out tomorrow ... have a few things to say in regards to quite a few posts.

Real quick, though, if you are drunk, do not breastfeed. If you are not feeling the effects of alcohol, then it will not be in your milk. No need to pump and dump. It is one of those that the level in your milk is a direct correlation to what is in your blood stream.

Will talk about first solids of my kids, etc. tomorrow!

Barbara

[supermom]

oops!!

Guess I need to check with the latest and greatest research - giggle - yes, as it disappears from your blood, it is less likely to enter your BM if you haven't fed while you were consuming it (alcohol). Was reading an interesting article at LaLecheLeague here:
FAQ on Alcohol

Still says it's ok to have an occasional drink now and again, but skip the pump and dump

oh, well, can still teach an "old dog new tricks!"