When does most babies start on baby food? And what foods do they usually start out on first?

Question

May baby is 4 months old and she eats about
5 ounces of milk every 3 hours.

Answer 1

baby cereal...about 6 months i think..wic dont recommend anything till 12 months i think...i gave mine baby food at 6-7 months...hope some of this helps

Answer 2

The reccomended age to begin baby foods is between 4 and 6 months, when your baby has good control of their head and can easily (and happily) sit up (either propped or on their own).

I planned on waiting until 6, but my pediatriction reccomended starting it early because my son was spitting up a lot. I still waited for another 2 weeks, so he was exactly 4 months.

Rice cereal is the best 'starter' food. Just do a little bit, and mix it with a generous amount of the formula or pumped milk that she's used to.

It make take several tries before she really eats any of it, so try not to get frustrated. She's never done anything like this before, and if she's totally uninterested, you can always just wait for another week or two before trying it again. My son took about a week and a half of trying it every day before he really got the hang of it.

I kept my son on just the rice cereal (along with his bottles, of course) for a month before I started with some stage 1 baby foods. We did the vegetables first, because that's what I always heard you were supposed to do so they won't reject the vegetables after the yummy sweet fruit, but now I read that it doesn't really matter whether you do first. His favorite's are peas and carrots, and a fruit dessert called Hawaiian Delight.

Now my son is almost 7 months, and he's into the stage 2 foods, which are basically the same as stage 1, just a little thicker. We also do a little bit of table food - boiled, and smashed up really well, because he sees us eating and opens his little mouth like a bird unti lwe share. It's so cute! The only things we don't do yet are the meats, and I'm planning on introducing those soon, but I'm afraid he won't like them. Everyone says they're nasty!

Good luck, and I hope that's helped you!

Answer 3

That's good. Rice cereal is the recommended first food. Watch for signs that your baby is ready. It's recommended to wait until 6 months to start solid food, however studies are now saying that 7 or 8 months is even better. Here are some links to show you the signs that your baby may be ready, and the benefits of waiting longer than 6 months. Remember that breastmilk or formula is supposed to be the main food source for the first year. Always feed milk first, then top them up with solid food if they're still hungy. God Bless

http://www.2coolbaby.com/Documents/brstsolid.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=retrieve&db=pubmed&list_uids=7658275&dopt=Abstract

Answer 4

i started giving my daughter baby cereal thinned with formula at four months, and baby food at 5 1/2 months. you should call your doctor and ask if you could start the baby cereal yet, your baby is old enough to start learning to eat from a spoon and sounds like she could use some more filling up. at that age, they will only have a little cereal once a day, but after a while they will eat more. it does really help a lot!

Answer 5

Introduce single-grain cereal when baby doubles birth weight and weighs at least 13 lbs. Baby should also be able to lift her head on her own. Baby should also seem hungry after 8-10 oz feedings, or drinks more than 32 oz in a day.

Iron- fortified rice cereal is always best to try first, as its easiest to digest. Always feed from a spoon, never from a bottle. Feeding from a spoon encourages "eating" - whereas babies don't learn how to eat from bottles, and it could otherwise cause choking.

Then, introduce 1st foods when baby pushes self up with straight elbows, and sits with help. Choose single-ingredient foods. I've always found it nicer to baby to choose fruits first (bananas, applesauce, etc). When introducing a different new food, always give a few days in between of change. For instance, do bananas for 3-5 days, and then start adding in applesauce. Then, continue to do both for another 3-5 days, and add another. The reason to have intervals in between adding new flavors, is so that you'll know which food gave her a food allergy.

I got a wonderful chart from my pediatrician, from Gerber. I've used Gerber products for all 5 of my children, and will continue to do so - with my unborn twins. I contacted Gerber directly, and they gave me tons of good coupons for their products.

You can call them directly 1-800-4-GERBER or visit their website at http://www.gerber.com

Answer 6

I guess it all depends on your baby and how hungry they are. Me personally I started my son on rice cereal at around 6 months and my daughter at 4. I dont see any problems with starting baby food either this soon... whenever you are ready to try that you pick a fruit or vegetable and try one at a time... let the baby get use to it,,, then try a new one... etc... There are some people that freak out and are all strict about starting foods here and there so its basically common sense and your judgement...

Answer 7

Around 6 months. Babies have a tongue reflex, they push everything out of the mouth with it. Around 5-6 months this reflex disappears and baby will be ready for solid. Ask your Dr. when is right. Starting too early could lead to allergies. Generally the baby cereal seem to be the first choice followed by veg then fruit. rule of thumb slowly and one at a time. Have fun!

Answer 8

Every baby is different so I would consult your pediatrician..But usually no solids [rice cereal] should be given until at least 4-5 months of age.
Then at about 6 months I would slowly introduce other baby foods like Gerber stage 1 fruits and veggies.

Answer 9

It is up to your baby. If your baby has shown interest in food. Such as when your eating and he/she tries to grab the food or just stares at it. He/she may want some.
My son who is now 5 months has been eating baby food since he was 3 1/2 started with cereal now he is eating mashed bananas, apple sauce, and veggies.
It has been that the professionals don't want you to start them on foods until they are 6month or older. But if your baby is hungry he/she has got to have more then the milk because evidently he/she isn't satisfied on that alone.

Answer 10

Generally the doctors recommend starting baby food around 4 months old. However, until about 12 months old they still get the majority of their nutrients from formula or breast milk.

Answer 11

it all depends on the baby, My oldest son was eating 10 ounces of formula every 2-3 hrs at 2 mo old i had to put him on rice cereal so that he would get enough to help him sleep the formula just wasnt enough for him. I think you would be ok to give your baby rice cereal it will help her sleap through the night esp. at 4 mo.old. My middle child didnt start cereal until 4 mo. old. My third baby started at 2 mo on cereal also. but i should also let you know my babys were 8lb.12oz ,8'2 and 9'7 so size matters alos. good luck