When to introduce an infant to solid food?..?

Question

Our two year old was six months when we introduced him to solid food. All my friends started teasing me because of that, since they started feeding their kids solid around 3-4 months. How old was your little one when you introduced him/her to solid.

Answer 1

It all depends on your baby. If your baby is showing interest in your food, can hold his head up, can sit up (at least supported), has lost his tongue thrust reflex and still seems hungry after a full feeding, he is ready!

We started our son at 4 months because he met all these criteria. After sleeping through the night since 10 weeks, he suddenly began to wake up every night around 2 a.m. STARVING! So, we began rice cereal for two weeks and he has been sleeping soundly ever since. We are gradually adding veggies and now he is on fruits.

There is nothing wrong with waiting until 6 months, either. It just depends on what your baby is ready for.

Answer 2

Same the doctors recommend no earlier than 6 months due to allergies and under developed digestive systems. My daugter is 6 months now and started introducind solids at about 31/2 - 4 months old. My baby seemed interested and got excited when she saw me eating so I thought what the hey. I gave her infant rice cereal, apple sauce, bananas and yogurt to start.

Answer 3

I started feeding my daughter plain rice cereal at 6 weeks because she was not satisfied and unable to sleep sound with just a bottle before bed. I started by just mixing a small amount in her formula. When I say small I mean a tablespoon. Then I eventually started feeding her a few weeks later by spoon. Don't start baby food ealier than 5-6 months. Their systems have trouble with all the transitions. And starting food too soon can lead to more incidence of allergies. You know your baby. If he/she does not seem satisfied with just formula mix a tiny amount of cereal. You have to feed the bottle as soon as you mix it though-or it will set up and they baby won't be able to get it through the nipple.

Answer 4

It is not necessary to feed a baby solids before they are 6 months, and definitely not before 4 months. Milk (breast or formula) is all they need. I started my little one when he was just over five and half months as he was ready for it and wanted more than milk.

Answer 5

Due to gut immaturity, solids shouldn't be started before 6 months. Additionally, you should wait until the baby shows physical signs of being ready. Solid-readiness signs include:

-erupted teeth
-being able to sit up on her own
-no gag reflex when food it put in the mouth
-pincer grasp is present (being able to pick up things with thumb and pointer finger)
-grabbing food off your plate

Starting solids too early can lead to allergies, so best to stick with breastmilk for 6 months exclusively for optimal health.

Answer 6

I agree with Amber, you know your child and when ever you think they need or are ready for it. My son was roughly around 4/5mths and my daughter i was 3mths. With our youngest daughter who is 10 nearly 11 weeks we'll try her in about 6wks and see how she goes. If shes not ready for it then we'll try later. I think it really depends on the baby and when just milk isnt enough, then thats the right time.

Answer 7

They said no sooner then 6 months. (They meaning doctors.) I started my daughter earlier because people told me to. But my son started on the day he turned 6 months. You know your child best and you will see signs that will let you know when he/she is ready.

Answer 8

4 months per her peds DR..
i started her on
squash
peas
carrots
sweet potatoes
applesauce
pears
bananas
peaches
and cereal... she is doing well with all of those for a month now.... fruit and cereal in the morning and cereal and veggie at night