When should I introduce my baby to other foods?

Question

At what age did you introduce a food other than milk or formula to your baby?

What was it?

My baby's almost 4 months old. She weighs 16 pounds now. Smiles, laughs, squeals, coughs because she knows it causes attention to her, pretty sure she said "Hi" today, coos, reaches for things, holds onto things, can support her own weight, looks around for people who WERE there but disappeared, sleeps pretty well at nights. (8 pounds at birth) She's been strickly on milk. Tried the cereal-in-the-milk thing out a couple months back, but with no success. Any tips or input?

Answer 1

I started with mine at 4 months with juices from other foods like, broth kinds of juices from foods I would cook. Maybe add it to her water and get her little taste buds used to it. Also, I was nursing her... then when she was 5mths I would give her bread with a little veggie broth on it sometimes.. not all the time, seldomly.. When she became 6 months I gave her baby food. Some I would get the veggies fresh and boil them and puree in the processor. It was more comforting to me. I would give her broth when she was your childs age though, not really any foods. When I started giving her oatmeal cereal and rice, I would add broths instead of water or milk.... she seemed to love it becaz she was familiar with it... Not to excited about oatmeal though. One little jar a week though they recommend because you can tell if they are allergic, then after you are sure, I started giving her like entrees, like a real little plate of different foods. Now her favorite cereal is oatmeal, which is great! She loves broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, greens, beans, chicken, turkey, corns, squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, even raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, tomatoes, EVERYTHING! Because I made sure I introduced it to her in her infantile stages.... She weighted 8.3 at birth, at 4 months, she was 15-16 lbs also! Now she is 45 in tall and 40 lbs. Tall and slender... She was a breastfed child til 9 months, off and on until 2 years. She has never been sick... until she started school, no ear infection or anything... Great Kid...

If you wait until shes two years old to feed her food, she will practically starve. Do you know how many children already know how to eat alone at two yrs old. Even if it is with their hands. Thats how they start to learn everything anyway. She needs nourishment from whole foods at least by 8 or 9 months. Theres not enough to keep them satisfied in milk only after 6 months really. You will see, that baby will be so hungry if you don't give them food food shortly after this age (6mos). This is why most of them are already cutting teeth, because it is just about time to start using them and practicing chewing...that also helps their tongue to prepare for talking, learning the different ways it can move and practicing it inside of their mouth. All of these things work together to prepare them for their beginning of life in the real world. Good luck dear...

Answer 2

Weight of a baby holds no baring on introducing solids. I assume she is bottle fed? Bottle fed babies can be introduced to solids earlier.

They USED to recommend introducing solids at 4 months, but that age has jumped to 6 months as they've discovered that introducing babies to solids prior to then (or that time frame) can increase the risk of food allergies because their intestines are covered in a protective layer that will not be open to the idea of other foods.

4 months is still a little early. 5 months is alright, 6 months is perfect, longer than that and you should consult your doctor. Babies can go longer than 9 months sometimes.

If your doctor says it's fine at 4 months, I'd get a second opinion or do more research online.

Answer 3

Best thing is to consult a doctor, or check out a medically competent website that you can trust.
My kids never liked the cereal in the milk thing. If she is sitting up on her OWN or in a high chair and can sit up straight, then you might try some majorly watered down cereal with a spoon. She might enjoy the new thing, and if not, it'll be fun for you to see her get all messy like babies should!
Good luck!

Answer 4

Well, supporting herself and holding things are good. The signs to look for are:
1.Does she stare at you constantly while you are eating
2. Will she try to imitate you while you are eating, acting like she
is chewing

usually about six months old babies can start eating soft solids and practicing with a spoon (though four of my children began eating soft solids at four months, the milk simply was not enough.)

Answer 5

Awwww! At 4 months I started my son on pablum, no problems, at about 5 and a half to six months, vegetables. It's best to stick to one vegetable per day that way if they're allergic to it you'll be able to know which veggie. After that the meats and lastly the fruits, and again one at a time so you can find out if your baby may be allergic to it. If so, they will usually break out into a red rash, all over the body. My son turned out to be allergic to carrots and strawberry. Good luck and ENJOY!

Answer 6

You should introduce your baby to other foods when he/she reaches at the age of two years. Till then you should give him/her your own milk. This will protect your baby from deseases and other problems. The mother milk is better than every thing every formula. You should start other food to your baby after the age of two years... Good Luck

Answer 7

I have my baby on all sorts of baby food and pablums and juice now, and she will be 6 months on December 8th....I started her on rice cereal when she was 3 months old and just kept moving up slowly from there. It all varies from baby to baby because they are all unique individuals.....if you feel that your baby is ready for solids, by all means, introduce them. I've started early with all 3 of my children because I felt that they were ready and there are no problems or allergies in any of them. Good Luck and just let your baby be your guide. :)

Answer 8

you can start her now, on very little amounts of food only. she is still completely dependent on milk so make sure the other food formula is given only when you think she wanted to taste something else.

i started my four babies on varying months, from 3 months to 5 months old.