She opens her mouth to receive the spoon, but spits it out constantly. we have tried for over a week now and have tried the cereal and pears. She is 4 months old. Any tips on how to encourage her to eat? Or is this the tongue reflex still present?
2006-11-08 12:07:05 · 8 answers · asked by ♀♥☼ alycat☼♥♀ 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It's tongue reflex. She's not ready for solids yet. Wait another month or so and start solids then. Don't worry too much about it, many babies aren't ready for solids until they're well over 6 months old. My oldest wasn't ready until she was 8 months old and then she went straight to table foods. She wouldn't have a thing to do with being spoon fed.
2006-11-08 13:33:41 · answer #1 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Agreed - not ready yet. Dont' let your pediatrician force this too soon!! You can safely breastfeed or formula feed exclusively up to 6 months. However, if you don't start solids by 6 months, the baby's gag reflex can become overdeveloped and lead to future eating problems. If by 6 months the tongue-thrust reflex is still giving her problems, consult your Dr.
2006-11-08 20:13:23 · answer #2 · answered by SaraBMW 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's normal. It just means that she's not ready to eat solid food. Just try waiting a few days. Normally a baby doesn't need solid foods until around 6 months. As long as she's eating/drinking enough milk, she'll be fine.
Good luck!
2006-11-08 20:15:08 · answer #3 · answered by sillylittlemen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not recommended or necessary to feed solids before 4 months. There is a TON of research on this
Pediatricians offer all kinds of advice but they are medical Dr's and that is the extent of what you should listen to from them.
Your 4 month olds digestive system is not mature enough to handle solids and can cause gas and constipation. It also can reduce the babies ability to naturally absorb iron.
2006-11-08 20:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by CaTT 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
could be the tongue reflex. wait a few days and try again. When we first gave our son @ 5months cereal, he cried and spat it out and then batted the spoon away. after a couple of weeks he was eating like there was no tomorrow!
2006-11-08 20:10:19 · answer #5 · answered by spababy606 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Does the doc live with your baby?
YOU know YOUR baby best.
Sounds to me like the baby is not ready yet.
Give it a couple of weeks and try again.
It's really mostly for fun and practice at this age anyway.
You could also try bananas instead of cereal. (Bananas are the first food recommended by LLL.)
The AAP actually doesn't suggest starting solids until 6 months of age.
Starting earlier actually puts baby at increased risk for allergies, diabetes and obesity.
2006-11-08 20:55:16 · answer #6 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, It takes a while for babies to get used to "not sucking". Just be paitent, it wil;l happen.
I would personaly wait though...You can breastfeed up to a year, and breastfeeding is the best option, since the milk is made specificly for YOUR baby.
But overall, do what you think is right because you don't have to start feeding solids.
2006-11-08 20:10:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That would be the tongue thrust reflex. She is not ready yet.
2006-11-08 20:09:38 · answer #8 · answered by Just Me 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋