Wait longer on solids or keep trying?

dawnj08

My son will be 5 months old next week. He cries when his bottles are gone. I bumped up the ounces but then he just spits up. He's sitting up also and way more than doubled his birth weight. the other day I thought I might try giving him oatmeal after his dinner bottle. I've given it to him three times this week so far at the same time and he's just not into it. He doesn't open his mouth and makes a face like he hates it. Is this a sign that he's not ready for that yet or should I keep trying? I'm fine with not even giving him the oatmeal because its actually kind of a pain but he always seems hungry after bottles so I thought a little each night might help.

lmtoth2

Our doctor was very serious about no solids until 6 months. Do you think maybe your son could have gas? If he was really hungry I think he would take more in the bottle. Our son will take 8 or 10 oz if he is hungry.

dawnj08

He passes gas pretty easily and is a great burper. I have been worried about constipation but we've done everything the dr said to do. He had two good BMs last Sunday but nothing since. He takes 5.5 oz every 3 hrs and 8 at bedtime. When I bump his day bottles to 6, he spits up. But the poor guy cries bloody murder after his 5.5 oz bottles. Our dr also said to wait until 6 months others suggested it might help keep him more full (she started her LO at 4.5 months)

Blondie1212

If he isn't opening his mouth for the spoon the I'd say he isn't ready. I'd just offer bottles more frequently and try again in a few weeks. He will make faces no matter what. He is used to having only liquids and the new texture is strange. Whether they like it or not babies always make the grossed out face when they try something.

watermellens

lmtoth2 said:

Our doctor was very serious about no solids until 6 months. Do you think maybe your son could have gas? If he was really hungry I think he would take more in the bottle. Our son will take 8 or 10 oz if he is hungry.

every doctor is so different about this - ours said at his 4 month visit that we should start soon. But OP if she's pushing it out and not interested, I wouldn't keep trying yet. Sounds like he's not ready.

homemaker5711

Try feeding him before giving the bottle.

tilsonc

What about adding rice cereal to the bottle? Just make sure you use a bigger nipple so it can get through. My LO loves it!! She is not that into solids just yet (I have tried 2-3 times). Your LO might not like oatmeal. Maybe try something else?

mhickey426

My lo started rice cereal for bed time about 2-3 weeks ago.  It took her a couple of times to realize that she has to open her mouth.  She is doing great with it.  Sometimes she gets a little distracted and forgets what to do for a few seconds but that's part of being an infant

 

watermellens

homemaker5711 said:

Try feeding him before giving the bottle.

No no no....there is a phrase that's "solids before one is just for fun" - the majority of any little one's food should be breastmilk or formula before age 1. Babies should have milk first and then have solids. If they fill up on things like oatmeal or rice cereal (which don't have any nutritional value anyways) then they'll be too full for milk, which is what they should be having.

youenjoymyself

watermellens said:

homemaker5711 said:

Try feeding him before giving the bottle.

No no no....there is a phrase that's "solids before one is just for fun" - the majority of any little one's food should be breastmilk or formula before age 1. Babies should have milk first and then have solids. If they fill up on things like oatmeal or rice cereal (which don't have any nutritional value anyways) then they'll be too full for milk, which is what they should be having.



Yes

kristilees

I use some of the formula he's getting for that bottle in the rice cereal.  He also gets some other veggies in the bowl, too.  I feed him the solids first, then he takes his whole bottle almost always.  He gets solids 2-3 times a day.  Realize, each bowl of solids is really only 3 heaping spoonfuls of food, so it's not a ton.  But it has helped him gain weight he needs.

He's 5 months tomorrow.  Started cereal and then veggies at 4 months per the pediatrician.

He spits about half of each bite out.  I scoop it up and put it back in.  It works well for him.

shellmh

He gets formula and he hasn't pooped since Sunday?? Formula fed babies NEED to poop every day. I'd call your pediatrician.

homemaker5711

watermellens said:

homemaker5711 said:

Try feeding him before giving the bottle.

No no no....there is a phrase that's "solids before one is just for fun" - the majority of any little one's food should be breastmilk or formula before age 1. Babies should have milk first and then have solids. If they fill up on things like oatmeal or rice cereal (which don't have any nutritional value anyways) then they'll be too full for milk, which is what they should be having.


Good point. I'm starting my LO on egg yolk and you only give 1-2 tsps at a time so it doesn't really matter if its before. But you're right that all their nutrition should still come from the milk.

lightgetsin

I would try something other than rice cereal.  My pedi said, give whatever I want whenever my little guy is ready.  I tried cereal a couple of times and although he ate it, he would end up screaming until it digested and he had a BM (not fun!)  He has done totally fine with bananas and pears though.  Definitely breast milk or formula before the food though...wait about 45 minutes after and then try food.
I waited till 6 months will all of my other kids but I have been researching and the US is really the only country that waits so long to feed their babies food and when they do, the feed bland, starchy rice cereal and guess what...we have the pickiest kids and the most obese...and the most food allergies.  My older kids have none of the above but I am not concerned about any of those things with my son.  He is 5 mos.

lightgetsin

He gets formula and he hasn't pooped since Sunday?? Formula fed babies NEED to poop every day. I'd call your pediatrician.

This is not true.  Formula fed babies can go several days between BM and it is normal.  The same thing with BF babies.

shellmh

tmsgrl said:

shellmh said:

He gets formula and he hasn't pooped since Sunday?? Formula fed babies NEED to poop every day. I'd call your pediatrician.

This is not true.  Formula fed babies can go several days between BM and it is normal.  The same thing with BF babies.

Everything I've been told and read says bf babies can go up to 10 days, but formula babies need to go every day. Maybe ever dr is different, but I've had a doctor, numerous nurses and lactation consultants tell me that, plus I've read it online.

It seems to me that that could be why he is upset.

lightgetsin

I agree if he is upset he could be constipated but not all babies who go a few days between BMs are constipated. KWIM?

dawnj08

He's never been an every day pooper. Even when he was on BM. He only fusses for a couple seconds right after you take away his bottle. I stopped giving him the oatmeal because he just wasn't into it. Might try peas in a couple of days. My dr did say to wait until 6 months so we aren't in a rush. As muxh as i respect my drs opinion, i am just trying to go with what he needs.