How early can I start my 3 month old baby on solids?

Question

Baby is normal weight and does not seem satisfied after breast and formula supplements.

Answer 1

I would talk to your pediatrician about this. Most will recommend you wait until at least 4 months, and hold off until 6 months for as long as you can. The AAP recommends waiting until at least 6 months to start on solids.

Answer 2

Are you sure you aren't mistaking hunger for something else? If not, I would talk to your HV about how often you are feeding your baby and what, in terms of the breast/formula mix. You may need to look at your own diet to increase the thickness & fat quality of your milk.

3 months is a little early. With the advice of my daughter's doctor we began at 18 weeks and I would have held off a bit longer if I could. She's 22 weeks now and I'm only just introducing a second meal. Only in the last 2 days has she had fruit. The rest has all been simple veg purees, singly at first and then mixed together to check for reactions. It is best to do veg first as fruit is sweeter and you might then find they reject the veg.

Whenever you start, guidelines are: no wheat/gluten/cereal before 6 months. No meat or fish before then either. No berries or citrus before 7/8 months. Honey and cow's milk as main drink not before 1 year.

Answer 3

Now is a good time, although you hear all sorts of advice these days. You, and only you know your baby well enough to know when s/he is no longer satisfied with just milk. My baby has been on solids since week 9! He is now 5 months old and is striving! He is a strong boy and has been in his baby walker since just after he turned 3 months! (he is obviously not in it all the time because he is still a baby, but he is pushing himself all over the room at speed, and has ventured in the kitchen since last week! My point is: babies are all different, energetic, and milk is just not enough after a while. As long as you start with purees, sweet things first (buy those Cow & Gate Banana Custard and Apricot and Custard for a start), they are very liquidy. At first, be prepared for rejection because it is a new taste for your baby, but do not worry, this stuff is easily digested by the baby, and don't let any of these health visitors (a lot of them have never had a baby of their own), tell you any different. Your baby will be a lot happier, more energetic and will strive with decent food. When the baby is about 5 months, then introduce vegetables, such as carrots and mashed potatoes. Besides, my mum and grandma have had us all on solids from early on, and we are all big, strong and healthy (I am nearly 5'8'', my brothers are 6'5' and 6'4''). Its what you put in your child now, will have a major effect on his development later on in life. He needs all the vitamins he can get. Just make sure you check the stools to ensure the baby doesn't get constipated (this is highly unlikely as fruit based food will encourage toilet even more). Enjoy!

Answer 4

Babies should not be started on solids until around 6 months of age. Starting sooner will make them take less breastmilk which is bad! Plus, starting too soon can make them more likely to get allergies, diabetes or be obese. The AAP says ALL that they need until 6 mos is breastmilk or formula.

How often are you nursing? I'd still expect a baby this age to be nursing every 3 hours or so. You can try to do breast compressions to help baby get more hindmilk.

If you think your supply could be low, more frequent nursing/pumping is the best way to boost supply. There is also an herbal supplement called fenugreek that works well for many moms.

Answer 5

My baby was hungry, and I refused to feed her formula milk because I do NOT agree with it unless it is necessary.
I started my daughter on one meal a day (usually lunch) of baby rice at 12 weeks. She took to it straight away, with absolutely no problems. After a few weeks I introduced a couple of new foods, ie rice pudding, porridge. But I would say use the same food for at least 4 days running, so you can tell if your baby has any allergies etc.

We were looked at in horror like we had committed a dreadful sin when we informed the health visitor that we had started solids, but I say to hell with them. The might well have studied children, but they will never know your own like you do.

When you give your baby the first bowl of solids, make it really runny, almost the consistency of the milk itself, so it tastes more of milk, they get used to it like that, then make it a little thicker each time.

Really, don't let anyone bully you into waiting, they don't know when your baby is ready or not.

Good luck :D (by the way my baby girl is 15 months old now, and extremely healthy, not had any problems, and eats everything!)

One more thing, when my baby was 4 months old, I decided I didn't like giving her baby food, and I gave her things like blended banana, or peach, or brocolli and cauliflower cheese, but these things have to be home made, so you know EXACTLY what goes into them.

Any fresh ingredients, nothing with nuts or honey (but I'm sure you knew that) and no salt etc, and you'll do just great!

Answer 6

around 5 months. have you tried baby milk for hungrier babies.

while every your baby is 'normal' weight i wouldnt worry about it.

If you start your baby too earlie their digestive system isnt up to it and you can cause your baby to get a very upset tummy.

If your unsure ask your health visitor but i wouldnt give a baby solids until about 5 months.

Some people have said to put baby rice in with the milk NEVER - put baby rice in a bottle... They will choke and the advice is on the packet.

Answer 7

I started my daughter when she was four months old because her two bottom teeth came in, she could sit while propped (if your baby can't sit and hold her head up she probably can't eat without choking) Also I made sure to ask her doctor if it was ok, because it is best for babys digestive system to wait until 6 months. Don't push your baby out of the crib so quickly, she won't be so little for long.

Answer 8

My baby was like this and always was feeding but I managed to wait until 4 months after that she was fine just a few spoonfuls of babyrice mixed with breast milk

Answer 9

You aren't supposed to start them on solids until around 6 months. 3 months is a growth spurt time and they will want to nurse around the clock to build up supply. This lasts for several days and is natural. The best thing you can do is to drink lots of fluids and get as much rest as you can.

Solids should not be introduced until the tongue thrust reflex has passed.

Answer 10

Speak to your health visitor about using a formula mmilk for hungry babies, which is a bit heavier so fills them up more.
It is advisable to wait as long as you can before weaning if they show signs early as their body is not yet ready for food and this is where allergies can kick in.
Best to wait till 6months now they reckon, used to be 4. We managed to stave our daughter of till she was just over 5 months.