- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Babies: 3 - 6 Months
Starting solids at 4 months?
We just got back from our 4 month appt, and I was surprised the hear the pediatrician suggest that we could start LO on rice cereal and other solids whenever we wanted. I had always thought nothing but BM for the first 6 months. I'm a bit conflicted about what to do...I'm not sure he needs solids yet. He's gaining weight fine and eating/sleeping well on the BM alone, and I've been able to keep up with him so far. He also isn't sitting on his own yet, though does fine on our laps and in a bumbo.
Has anyone else's ped recommended trying solids this early and if so, what did you decide to do?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Starting solids at 4 months?
I agree with PP above (I would have have quoted her, but I thought about that after the fact
) Every baby is different just like every doctor will tell you different. With my DD1 I was told that holding out longer makes them more prone to allergies, but on TB, I see others say the exact opposite.
It is a personal decision and you have to do what works for you and your LO. I'm starting food in a couple of weeks, but if Kylah doesn't take it well (My DD1 did great at 3 1/2 months), then we just hold off and try again later.
I doubt your pedi would have a problem with you waiting though.
Yep, pedis will be half and half on 4 or 6 months. My pedi is really lax about it. She just said start between 4-6 months. Could go home and start after that appointment or the day before the 6 month appointment....whatever we were comfy with.
With first son, we couldn't wait. Just new mom stuff....wanted to see his face, see if it helped him sleep, etc. He loved it. Second son, well life is busy! it was just one more thing! And he is a better sleeper and I know that it doesn't make a difference with that anyway. He didn't like it at first, so I was just whatever about it. He started opening his mouth for the spoon last weekend and we tried green beans this week. He is really liking it. But, I think it is almost hurting sleep because he is waking at 4 am with massive poopy diaper. So I'm not giving him as much even though he is fussing for more when I'm done.
Either age is fine, I think. My boys were/are EBF and I liked that they totally existed off me for about 5 months. :-) But I'm not one to say they HAVE to eat at 4 months or have to wait till 6 months. I think it is whatever you are comfy with. Heck, both my mom and MIL said they started all their kids on RC at 6 weeks!
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
You can start at 4 months, but nutritionally they do not need it till 6 months. I think people just get excited and start it early or they hope that their baby will sleep better at night with thicker food in their belly. Our pedi said we could start now, but would strongly recommend waiting closer to 6 months.
Plus he doesn't necessarily have to be totally sitting independently, but should sit well enough where all he really needs is help with balance. If he doesn't sit that well then there is a risk for choking with solid foods.
Just go by your instincts and don't worry about what people say. Start foods whenever you want.
I think there are lots of factors to consider but ultimately you should go with your instincts. From what I can tell, some of those factors are: what LO is currently eating (if EBF that might be more reason to go slowly with solids), how much LO eats (if LO is eating a lot that might be more reason to try solids earlier), whether LO can sit up, has lost tongue-thrust reflex, shows interest in your foods and what you are eating, etc. Our decision will be based on the fact that DS eats formula, eats a lot (40 oz isn't unusual for him - he is large but proportional so no concerns about weight), can sit up, and is totally interested in our food.
I think for a while the recommendation was to wait because doctors though introducing solids early caused increased allergies/sensitivities but I think more recently the thought is now swinging back the other way - that unless there is family history of food allergies/sensitivities starting solids earlier is suggested. If starting earlier than 6 months it looks like you start with cereal and add fruit or veggies later. When starting, the idea is not that your child will be eating enough solids to provide nutrition - the main thing is just to get them used to the experience of eating...how to eat off a spoon, what to do with solids in your mouth, etc. You can approach it more like play since it is just exploring. Also, you can always try it to see if your LO is truly ready and if not, wait a while and try again another time.
Our pedi said we can try anytime between 4-6 months. In the beginning it's just about practice, not nutrition.
We started mostly breastmilk with a little homemade oat cereal mixed in yesterday. DD sits up really well, she's in 9 mo clothes and keeps trying to grab food of my plate so decided she's about ready.
We plan to take it pretty slow from here, just letting DD practice (she opens wide for the spoon already) & new enjoy the taste/textures. I would say just follow your instincts.