Solids?

[Jojo]

Anyone start solids earlier than 6 months? I honestly don't think I can wait that long or better yet he can. He eats all the time. I am not kidding.

Are there any repercussions to starting too soon? I know their tummies can't handle it but anything else?

I know Dr. Mackey wants us to wait because he said the other day "no food or water mmmmmmmkay? UGH!

Oh and is it bad that I completely lie to his face and not listen to him? Clearly, it's time for a different pedi.



Just for the record his name is not Dr. Mackey--He just reminds me of the guy from south park and even sounds a bit like Mr. Garrison.

[Cindy]

The only thing I'll say if you'll know when you and Matthew are ready. Conner had his first taste of cereal around 3 months and he didn't like it so we waited until around 4 months to try again.

[Ashley]

No debates about this please :)

When I had Tyler, the guidelines were to start between 4-6 months. We tried cereal around 4 months or so, and he wasn't having it. He would push it right out with his tongue. He was also formula fed so maybe thats a reason, I don't know. We waited a while and tried again. He ate it properly around 5, 5 1/2 months. It was easy to see when he was ready. We basically would give it a go every so often until he didn't spit it back at us. I mean, I'm of the mindset of trying it when they seem truly ready, if they're nt able to eat it, they won't. That's what we got from Tyler anyway.

I really think you need a new pedi Jo :hehe:

[Mama Sandy]

My pediatrician said we could start at 4 months or wait until 6 months. This was at her 4 month WBC. We went ahead and started her slowly right then and started rice cereal every other evening to make sure her tummy could handle it. Since then (about a month now) she's also started on orange veggies but has only had a couple; sweet potatoes (she HATES them) and carrotts (she actually likes those). I say go with your instincts and start slow if you start them earlier. That way you can guage how he handles it and if he's really ready. Oh, and if you start cereal I wouldn't sweat it too much because with both Jacob and Averie the pediatrician actually recommended giving rice cereal to weigh down their food because of the reflux and they were only a little over a month old at the time.

[Leah]

My ped said I could start anywhere from 4-6 months since he was breastfed. She said she likes formula fed babies to start at 4 months so they get the extra iron and nutrition. I tried rice cereal at 4 months and he ate a little here and there, usually once a day, sometimes twice. It wasn't until 6 months that he was more interested in solids and ate more.

I would go ahead and try at 4 if you think he's ready. If he's not, he will let you know. He will act uninterested, thrust his tongue forward pushing the food out or just not really want to eat. ;)

[Meshell]

The other ladies gave great advice. Once you try it with him you'll know if he's ready. We thought Will was ready at 4 1/2 months. The first few days he loved it and gobbled it right up but then he quickly lost interest and wasn't having it. So we stopped and waited another month. By that time he was ready. We skipped the cereal when starting the second time. I mean, we give him oatmeal and rice, but it's usually mixed with fruit or veggies. He's already on chunky foods. Macaroni & Cheese with Squash is his favorite right now.

[Jojo]

Thanks so much ladies!

I was wondering if it helps them sleep better through the night? I was going to wait until his 4 month well check or even try a bit of the cereal when he hits 3 months just to see how he does. I mean, he tries to eat my husbands nipple every night :lol:

And yeah, I'll stop complaining about Dr. Mackey and just find a new doc--I should take my own advice and get over it! :p

[Heather]

Haha! Like the others said, I tried at 4 months with rice cereal and he just wasn't that interested. A little over 5 months, he was very interested. Try it and you'll know if he's ready or not. And the bit about it making them sleep through the night is horse patootie. Cohen slept just fine through the night w/ only breastmilk, and I have a friend who's son STILL doesn't sleep through the night, and he'll be 2 in a week. She still gets up and fixes him a milk once or twice a night!

[Jojo]

And the bit about it making them sleep through the night is horse patootie. Cohen slept just fine through the night w/ only breastmilk, and I have a friend who's son STILL doesn't sleep through the night, and he'll be 2 in a week. She still gets up and fixes him a milk once or twice a night!

Don't tell me this :hiding:

[Cindy]

They don't always help them sleep. Conner had cereal in his bottle when he was really young to try to help fill him up and it never worked and he never slept good either. *I* think when that does "help" it's a fluke. But that's just my opinion.

[Ashley]

The one thing I was cautioned on by my pedi with Tyler was to never put cereal in a bottle, they can aspirate it. I know of other people's pedis who told them to put it in the bottle too, I swear I'm not picking on you Cindy!, but I figured better safe than sorry. They always said food by spoon only. I know there are always different opinions, that just always stuck with me because I get spazzy and neurotic..

[Farah]

We gave Charlie rice cereal at 5.5 months because he had stopped gaining weight. He didn't sleep through the night any better, but after sleep training and many sleepless nights, he is now a professional nighttime sleeper. Naps? We're working on that! :hehe:

[Mama Sandy]

None of my kids slept better because of having solid foods. It's just something they have to learn and their little bodies are all different. Averie certainly doesn't even come close to sleeping through the night yet. We're still up for feeding every 2-3 hours. One time she slept for 6 hours straight...one time.

[Susana]

We started at 6 months as per doc's advice. And I thought it would help him sleep better, but no!!!!! I think he wakes up more haha!

Good luck Jo! I dont think that there is a harm on trying! if he likes it go for it! if not then try later in a couple of weeks :hugs:

[AshleyMommyto2]

I believe every baby is different. Baby will let you know when it is time for more. With Eli I started him on rice cereal once a day at 3months. Then moved it to 2times a day b/c he was hungry we were going through 2 of the large cans of formula a week! Then around 5months I started with baby food...
Just do what you feel is right and your baby will let you know too.

[Leah]

I just wanted to say ditto to all the other ladies....rice cereal or any solids did not help him sleep any better. ;)

[Elaine]

Ben was already sleeping through the night by the time we started him on cereal so I don't think that makes a lick of difference.

We started Ben on rice cereal at around 4 1/2 months. His weight gain had slowed down so she suggested starting. He got it once a day, in the morning, and by about 6 months he was getting cereal twice a day and was eating fruits and veggies. The first few times we tried it he spit it out so we waited a day or two then tried again.

Like the other ladies said you'll be able to tell by his reaction if he's ready for it.