Time to start solids?

laharpe · September 2012

BeeBee (nickname for our DS) has been growing like a weed: today at a dr visit he was 12 lbs 1 oz!! Considering he was 6-1 when he entered the world!

I have started reading up on solids and when to introduce them into the diet. I was an exclusive BF for 6 weeks, but made the switch to formula because he was constantly hungry and having a hard time putting on weight. *sigh*

I've noticed over the past week or two that he will watch DF and I intently when we eat our meals, often after he has had his own bottle. I read that this could be an indicator, but he is a very observant and curious baby, so I'm not to sure on that one, for him anyway. However, he was just diagnosed with mild reflux today at a dr. appointment (not 4 month well baby), so I am going to hold off for now. I'll ask again at 4 month WB.

So, after all that, have any of you ladies started introducing solids? Or when do you plan to introduce them? Any recommendations on what to start first?

Samiantha101 · September 2012

My pedi hasnt even mentioned it yet, so I can't be sure, but prob not until 6 months.

strawberrytree · September 2012

DS stares at everything we do...I think it's probably just normal baby curiosity about everything going on around them.

The recommendation where I live is EBF until 6mos, which is likely what we'll do. We do plan on doing BLW though, so if DS starts grabbing food before then and putting it in his mouth we'll follow his lead. If not, we'll start offering food at 6 months. The saying goes 'Food before one is just for fun' so he will still get most of his nutrition from BM.

acbfreire · September 2012

From what I read, the norm is 6 months for solids, but some pedis will allow cereal at 4 months.

LO was staring at my hand when I was eating grapes. But they need a lot more signs of readiness before eating solids.

AliciaS1411 · September 2012

Just because your baby looks at you while you eat doesn't mean he wants your food. He's watching because he's learning. 3 months is WAY too early for them, their digestive systems need time to develop.

SOME pedi's will start solids during month 4, regardless of what our pedi goes by, LO will be waiting mid december (6.5 months) before we start. I want to give him a few extra weeks because he was a premie.

SaraAlexine · September 2012

I was told, and have heard multiple times, that solids should not be introduced until 6 months.

kincaid44 · September 2012

we will introduce solids at 6 months

Sawyerplus1 · September 2012

I plan to EBF for at least 6 months. I started DS1 on solids at 6 months and DD between 5 and 6 months. I always started with rice cereals and then went to fruits, but I'm not sure if thats what's still recommended.

Gismo123 · September 2012

At the LaLeche Leage meetings I go to they said babies only need BM for the first year of life. So we will be waiting a year unless DS shows interest before then.

stepper1725 · September 2012

Ditto pps, we will wait until 6 months before introducing solids. We'd like to try the baby-led weaning approach, skipping pureed baby food & going straight to whole-ish fruits & veggies. We'll see how it works out though.

khill86 · September 2012

I EBF so we'll be waiting until at least 6 months. We may wait even longer if DS isn't interested in solids by then. We're in no rush.

jasminelorraine20 · September 2012

Honestly, I was considering starting solids at 4 months. But I changed my mind and we won't be starting until 6 months (if he's ready).

AshleyT121 · September 2012

No solids for my girl until at least 6 months.

acbfreire · September 2012

I read that BM should be the majority of babies nutrition up to 1 year, but I've only read exclusive source until 6 months...

laharpe · October 2012

shmeell25:
My plan is 6 months but DD has had no issues putting on weight. If your LO has reflux, I have heard rice cereal might actually help with that so it's something you might want to ask your doctor about. I'm in no hurry to introduce solids, though.

Thanks for all the replies! I wish I was still EBF, but BB wasn't gaining enough weight. I was (still am) pretty disappointed, but as long as he is healthy and on track, I can't complain.

We attempted applesauce over the weekend, BB got about 7 half-teaspoons before he lost interest. I think we will wait a little longer; he does great with the bottle now, so I'm not going to rush anything.

misthang_1 · October 2012

We started introducing solids at 4 months with DS. He's only 18 months older than DD, but at some point after he turned 4 months apparently the recommendation changed from 4 to 6 months. Whatever...I will probably start feeding solids here soon. It really is just practice up until around a year anyways. DD has been getting rice cereal thickened formula since she was about two months old. Her pediatric GI recommended it for her reflux in combination with her meds. As a result I think I will skip the rice cereal and start her with purees when we do introduce solids.

sam19 · October 2012

We probably won't start at 4 months because she isn't showing any signs of being ready but I'm not opposed to.starting at 4 months. I imagine we'll start around 5 ish months.

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