I have to go back to work in a weeks time. Can anyone assist me in a step for step guide (like a starting solids for dummies) to start my 4 month old baby boy on solids e.g. how much purity / cereal replaces how much formula ? Any tips on getting him to sleep staight through will be welcome.
2006-12-27 05:04:36 · 19 answers · asked by tanjamorne 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
What are you doing wrong? Giving a 4 month old solids. If it's bothering him (night-waking) his little digestive system isn't ready to handle it. He's trying to tell you something-stop feeding him solids.
I don't understand why parents are so excited to make their kids grow up. I also don't understand why AAP (and other sources) are still reccommending introducing solids so early in light of all the research done proving you should delay introduicing solids until AT LEAST 6 months of age. Babies simply cann't handle solids at this point nor do they need to. Breastmilk or formula are ALL baby needs for the 1st year.
He'll be eating solids soon enough. Wait until he's at least 6 months to introduce solids.
Good luck!
2006-12-27 05:13:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
My daughter was 6 and a half months when she started on solids good at first then grandparents kept giving her milky tea in a bottle with two sugars nightmare!! It's trial and error some babies are 4mths some 5 some 6 if all the world was the same how boring. Your baby may need more fluids as cooled boiled water to help it's bowel movements or not feeding after a certain time such as to go through the night or a milky type drink( formula) to help aid sleep. Cereal I do not always agree with as food in-tolerances as the child can't say mum that cereal hurt my tummy my daughter cannot have wheat, did not find out until a year old experiment and see what works for you good luck.
2006-12-27 15:28:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is recommended that babys do not start solids until approx 6 months now and if he does not take to solids I would carry on with milk for now and slowly reintroduce solids a bit later. You can use formula milk to mix baby rice from his bottle. Make it really runny to begin with (it will tell you amounts on box). He is still quite small so may not sleep right through for some time, have you tried to give him a bottle just before you go to bed, even if you have to wake him? At least then you will have had a couple of hours undisturbed sleep before work. Good luck with going back to work.
2006-12-30 10:08:13 · answer #3 · answered by LAURENCE B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the solids at this stage should not replace any formula it should be in addition to the baby's usual milk.
Is your baby ready for solids?
was he waking thru the night when he had previously slept thru the night?
Was he still looking for more milk when he had finished his whole bottle?
Was he watching you as you eat your food and looking interested in it?
Some baby's are ready for solids at 3 months others are not ready until they are 6 months every baby is different.
Start with a Little baby rice about 1 teaspoon full mixed with about4 teaspoons of milk or until it is really runny.
Or try puree carrots apples pears etc, just boil them with no salt and then puree them or push them thru a sieve.
you can make these well in advance and freeze them in ice cube trays, you will only need one cube each day to start with.
Choose a time of the day when you are not stressed and you and your baby are settled, them after they have had a bottle of formula try them with a little of your chosen food, if they eat it them fine if not try again another day.
Why not come along to a great friendly little site where lots of parents will be able to give you advice and share your thoughts.
http://fabfamilies.com/forum/index.php
Everyone is lovely here and will be happy to help you with any advice or support that you may need.
2006-12-27 13:17:25 · answer #4 · answered by Scarlet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him off the solids. They may be disturbing his tummy and bothering him at night. It's really not recommended to start them until closer to 6 mos anyway. Try again in a few weeks and maybe his little body will be better able to handle it.
Solids should NOT replace formula or breastmilk but instead be given IN ADDITION to them. Formula or breastmilk should continue to make up most of the diet even after solids are introduced.....for the entire first year. Solids are really mostly for fun and practice.
2006-12-27 13:10:09 · answer #5 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Formula should still be his main food. You dont state what you started him on, but i'll tell you my experience.
Typically parents are urged to start on cereal first. Preferably Rice Cereal as its more easily digestable. Then start to introduce vegetables one at a time (trying same food for a few days before adding a new one into the mix to check for allergies). Then introduce fruits. Then meants (the meats are gross. My daughter would only eat the Apples and Chicken type mixes never the meat alone).
You also dont mention how his bowel movements are. Could he be constipated? I suggest a nice warm bath before bed to help him to sleep.
Sorry for your frustration, take it one day at a time. Best of luck.
2006-12-27 13:09:11 · answer #6 · answered by camoprincess32 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Solids should not be replacing formula/breastmilk until after a year old. Also, 4 months is a little young for solids, it could be upsetting his tummy. =/
2006-12-31 00:26:07 · answer #7 · answered by Carly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they first star on solids, this is what I did for all 5 of mine...
First when making a cereal bottle, mix 1 oz. of cereal w/ 4 Oz. of formula. You may need to make the hole in the nipple a little bigger. Be sure to use rice cereal not oatmeal as it tends to constipate babies. After a few weeks you will be able to thicken it up more and more until he will need to eat it from a bowl. If you need any advice E-mail me and I'll try to help. purpledragonflyjrh@yahoo
2006-12-27 13:12:20 · answer #8 · answered by purpledragonflyjrh 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He's probably a little too young for solids and as his little digestive system isn't coping with them its probably tummy ache thats waking him up!
In general babies shouldn't be started on solids until 6 months. My cousin's baby started weaning at 4 months but he is absolutely HUGE - over 11 lbs when born and just too big and hungry to last until 6 months on just milk, so they started him on cereal at 4 months. But he still got loads of milk feeds as well.
I'd ask your doctor or health visitor because it sounds to me like the solids aren't agreeing with him just yet.
2006-12-27 13:35:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
my 4 month old will have a 6 oz bottle before each feed and then when it comes to solids (which she's been on since 13 weeks old) i give her 2 ice cubes of veg, pots and chicken which i blend down together and then freeze...some times mix in fruit so its all together as she finds fruit a bit yuk!!
Just start slowly with baby rice and then progress to rusks and gradually introduce veg etc, sweet pots are nicer than normal ones.
Enjoy the mess!!...its fun.
2006-12-30 14:04:39 · answer #10 · answered by kazza 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋