Can I start 2 month old on baby food?

Question

My son is only 2 mths, and I know they say 4 mths for cereal and 6 for baby food...
but he has already doubled his weight from 7lb 13oz to almost 15lbs, he drinks 6 oz every 3-4 hours. He goes about 5 at night and occasionally 6. He acts like he is starving when I give him his bottle and drinks it so fast he spits up. If I take it away to try to get him to slow down he screams and screams. He is drinking 6 bottles in a 24 hour period plus 2 four oz bottles of juice/water mix because he has a problems with constipation. I am afraid to give him more than 6 at a feeding because he already spits up and has constipation, and if I don't give him 6 he throws a fit and screams because he is not full. I don't want to give him cereal because I am afraid it will just worsen his constipation. Any ideas...?

Answer 1

You could, but it wouldn't be good for your baby. Until baby is 6 months old, he *cannot* digest anything other than human milk (formula is the *only* other food that is acceptable for young babies). Every health organization worldwide recommends *no* cereal or solids of any kind before 6 months old.

It *might* make him feel full longer. If so, that's because it sits in his stomach where he can't digest it. In other words, it tricks his body into not wanting needed food. Then again, it might not work at all. And it increases his likelihood of allergies or asthma. No, it doesn't cause obvious problems for *every* baby, but there may be problems that are less obvious, too.

If he acts like he's starving every time you feed him, maybe he needs to eat *more often* and not just more quantity. Try giving him 3 ounces of formula every hour and a half and see if that helps. Remember that his stomach is only the size of his fist--that might be the cause of all the problems!

I hope this helps. Good luck!!

Answer 2

Its very tricky and should be discussed by your physician. I can tell you that the cereal really does not digest before at least 4 months of age. So that means it is not really benificial. Baby is not getting any nutrient value.

If you baby is colicy maybe your doct would agree. Studies show however it is better to wait.

My baby was 10.6 pounds when she was born, and was very sick with Persistant Pulmonary Hypertension. She was on life support for five weeks and when she came off the life support she had much difficulties consuming formula. She had to have her formula given by a tube down her nose. She would not take more than about a half ounce at a time. So they ended up starting her on cereal at about 3 weeks, hoping that this might help with the feedings, due to a possible gas or reflux problem. Feeding her the cereal did not help or hurt either way. I have since discontinued it on a regular basis, and only use it when her gas is sooooo severe. Even then I am not sure this helps.

6oz every 3-4 hours is not unusual. Be sure to ask your pediatrician about the proper amounts and times. I believe the cereal could help with the spitting up, but would probably make the constipation worse. To young, I was warned that the baby could get dehydrated. So its best just to talk to your doc..


Ps.

For constipation: I give three ounces of (distilled)water and a bit of KARO syrup. I have had three babies and have given them all this. It won't hurt them.

Answer 3

I would talk to your pediatrician about giving him larger bottles but wait on the baby food. the main reason for waiting is so they do not develop allergies. While a lot of docs say it's fine to start a baby on cereal at 4 months, that is mostly because parents want to - it is actually recommended to wait until 6 months so the child has a more developed system to handle the food and less problems with upset stomach, obesity and other problems like reflux. You may also want to try a fomula that is lower in iron than the one you are using because that can cause constipation.

Answer 4

I dont care what all the " experts" say I started my daughter on solids when she was less than a month old. Her first food was watered down pureed bananas. I gradually Gave her more variety with some guidence from my mom, and by 4 months she was eating most table food ( in minced or extremely small pieces ) She has never had a problem except for occasional constipation but who doesnt. And if you read new reasearch the say wait until 6 months for anything, Im sorry but that is basically telling you to starve your kid, especially if he shows signs of readiness and willingness. If you do try solids, dont get discouraged by him having a hard time getting to stay in his mouth, it is a new thing and it is something he will have to adjust to. Just offer very small amounts, very liquidy then guadually increase and change texture.

Answer 5

I started giving my baby rice cereal at 2 months because breastmilk wasn't keeping him full. I mixed it with breastmilk and kept it very thin, like a teaspoon of cereal to a couple of ounces of milk. I also gave it to him with a spoon and not in a bottle so if he wasn't feeling so hungry he could refuse it. The first couple of tries were rough because he didn't understand what was going on, but after a couple of days he made the connection that spoon=food=full tummy and it went much better. Ask anybody over the age of 60 and you'll hear that moms have been giving babies cereal way before 4 months forever.

Answer 6

This is definitely a question to address with your pediatrician. That is a lot of weight gain REALLY fast for your baby. There are things the Dr can check to be sure everything is on track, and within norms.

The formula might need to be changed to something more hearty for him, to satisfy him more--and may help with the spitting up and constipation.

I would NOT give any solids until the Dr okays it. There is a choking hazard in a child that small, especially if he can't even sit up on his own. He probably isn't ready to digest anything like that yet either. Also, giving solids before his body can tolerate them, can lead to food allergies to those foods.

Answer 7

You said your son acts like hes hungry...you're probably right. My son weighed 9lbs 12 oz. at birth and was the same way. So at exactly 2 months I started him on rice cereal. Don't worry, it's fine. I gave it to him at night to start out, then maybe next month a little morning and night. You can also add some fruit baby food in his cereal or alone. My cousin did this with her two boys they were big boys. It doesn't hurt them. He's hungry and will sleep more or better if he can start his cereal now. Good luck.

Answer 8

Well you should probably consult your child's physician.

I think its usually around his time, But i thinkn it might be 3 or 4, I started eating solids at around 3-4 months i think.

But talk to a Pediatrician first!
because not only that. Your child may need special needs. He could have an extremly fast Metabolism like i did. I Have to Consume 3000 calories a day. But your baby may also need a certain amount of food judging by the weight and size of your baby. I dont think you should be feeding your baby soo much. It seems kinda unhealthy for a child to eat that much. But i think that i ate alot like that when i was a baby, and My cousins were like taht too. But you Shouldnt be feeding him jus juices and water because he needs his vitamins and minerals, try to get him some vitamin and mineral supplament. that he can take or he could become malnourished, its very dangerous not to feed your child properly they can have many problems later on. So, try to get him some nutrients. He might be Constipated couse hes lactose intolerant. My little baby cousin was constipated becouse she was lactos intolerant
get your baby tested for allergies too!

So talk to a Doctor First

Because im not sure

Answer 9

Do not give solid foods unless your baby's physician advises you to do so. Solid foods should not be started before 4 months of age for the following reasons:

* Breast milk or formula provides your baby all the nutrients that are needed to grow.
* Your baby is not physically developed enough to eat solid food from a spoon.
* Your baby's digestive system is not mature enough to handle the complexities of Solid foods, and cannot absorb or process them adequately.
* Starting your baby on solid food too early increases the chance that he/she may develop a food allergy.
* Feeding your baby solid food too early may lead to overfeeding and being overweight.
* As a general rule, solid foods do not help babies sleep through the night.

You are anxious to see your baby progress to the next stage in baby-hood, and probably hope to see him sleep better as a result. But these things take time. And rushing your baby into a stage that they are not ready for can be harmful to them. I would say definetely hold off.

Answer 10

I am a 57 year old grandmother with several grand children.
my answer to you is that you should consult a doctor before you do so, because of allegories. It is not like when I was raising my children. There is much more information these days and some types of baby food might not be digest able for a 2month old.
I whole heartily feel that you should consult a doctor about this before doing so.