Whose feeding their baby?

BabyHope2013

So I started a discussion on the 3-6 month board about how often to feed cereal to DS. We just started this past weekend. Then I got to thinking about asking you ladies a similar question.

 Has anyone started feeding cereal or purees yet? DS is 4 months. We were advised by the pediatrician to start cereal. DS is already 17 lbs 5 oz and is a big eater.

I feel so in the dark about cereals and purees right now. I thought it wouldnt be a few months before we started these things---but so far DS is really enjoying and doing well with the cereal. Thanks for sharing your experiences as a FTM or STM.

kimmlet

My pedi told me that I can start when I'm comfortable anytime between 4-6 months.  I'm thinking I'd rather wait a little bit but DH wants to see how he does now.  I think I'm going to skip cereal and move straight to purees, we'll see how it goes!

Eags

We're planning on skipping cereals and going straight to fruits and veggies.  We also don't plan on starting until 6 months, as long as DS shows signs that he is ready.

I've been trying to do some reading up on this topic since we're only a few months away from starting, and found KellyMom to have some good info on solids.

https://kellymom.com/category/nutrition/starting-solids/

Wild_flower25

Here is my opinion, take it with a grain of salt or how ever you'd like

I think most peds tell us to start at 4 months because that is how they were trained.  The AAP is saying to start closer to 6 months now.  That said, I don't think there is any right or wrong as long as the baby is ready.  If you put a spoon in their mouths and they don't push it out with their tongue, they're probably ready. 

About cereals, I know some are moving away from them but I think I will still start with an oatmeal cereal. Purees are just so sugary, cereal mixed with BM seems more natural to start with, IMO but I'm not a pedi either. 

If he's liking it and its going well for you, that's great!  I think I'l personally start around 5 months or later because DD doesn't have real good trunk control so I can't even imagine she'd be too steady in a high chair right now (she'll be 4 months next week).

sbevmc09

This has been discussed a lot lately.  There are several threads if you want to take a look around  

The typical recommendation is to wait until 6 months.  Baby's gut closes somewhere between 4 and 6 months usually, but if you start too early it can have some pretty negative impacts so I agree with recommendations to err on the side of caution and start no earlier than 6 months. 

As far as cereal it's a) really difficult to digest, and b) nutritionally void.

For us, we will wait until 6 months and LO is exhibiting signs of readiness (which includes sitting up unassisted and able to bring food to their mouth) and we'll go straight to real food (fruits, veggies, meat).  We'll do grains, but it won't be one of the first things we introduce. 

With DS I made purees because I was way too worried about getting the solids into him.  He also had a pretty strong gag reflex.  He still wasn't really into table food until ~14mo, which isn't an issue.  This time around I feel so much more confident about the whole process and understand it better.  Pretty sure we're going to go the baby led weaning route.  I have a feeling that DD is going to be more interested in the process so that should work in our favor nicely. 

zonagirlie

Eags:

We're planning on skipping cereals and going straight to fruits and veggies.nbsp; We also don't plan on starting until 6 months, as long as DS shows signs that he is ready.I've been trying to do some reading up on this topic since we're only a few months away from starting, and found KellyMom to have some good info on solids.https://kellymom.com/category/nutrition/startingsolids/

This.
According to new best practices cereals and rice can be very dangerous to little GI systems. As a sufferer of GI problems, I don't want to tempt fate. Fruits and veggies at six months as long as he's showing the right developmental signs.

karen_loy

We'll be skipping cereal and start with homemade applesauce and then some others purees around 4, 4.5 months

Kie310

We were given the green light to start whenever we want. I wanted to wait longer (started at 4 months with my first, but the second time around I don't really want to rush through everything) but he is started to really show signs of interest in foods. I bought a couple of purees this past weekend... I will likely start in the next couple of weeks, on a weekend when I can start at breakfast or lunch. He is still too cranky by 5pm to start with dinner.

I will be skipping cereals  completely. My 17 lb 8 oz 4 month old does not need the empty calories

chance_encounters

Eags:

We're planning on skipping cereals and going straight to fruits and veggies.nbsp; We also don't plan on starting until 6 months, as long as DS shows signs that he is ready.I've been trying to do some reading up on this topic since we're only a few months away from starting, and found KellyMom to have some good info on solids.https://kellymom.com/category/nutrition/startingsolids/

Same here

MelissaRae1525

sewvt86:

I personally just don't see the point. She is getting just what she needs through breast milk. We may try some pured bananas and avocados if she is displaying readiness at 6 months, but I will be in no rush. I do plan on making my own baby food when the time comes. nbsp;

I hope to do this too

mistd78

My LO had her 4 month appt last Friday and Dr said she is right where she needs to be and if I chose to I could introduce veggies and fruits.  But if she was disinterested in it, don't push.  So I tried on Monday and she was ok with it, but then last night she LOVED it.  She had green beans for the first food.  This is NOT a substitute for breast milk or formula, just added in conjunction with her bottles.  She is only 12-9 and does like her food, but in moderation apparently, lol.  We have given her cereal in her bottle, before we realized that's not the best approach, but she loved her cereal too, but not sure I am going to continue that path though.