I was just wondering what age can a baby eat solid food or smush baby food? My sister just had a baby and she's pre mature. She only weighs like 5 pounds or somethin like that. My sister is feeding her breast milk only. When can the baby eat normal baby food instead of just drinking milk?
2007-03-15 06:04:27 · 19 answers · asked by epicwolf 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Well, a preemie will take longer than other babies (you have to adjust for how premature they were) So, he probably won't be ready for solid food until well into the second half of the first year. My full-term baby wasnt ready until nearly 8 months... all babies are different though. Just tell her to watch for signs of readiness... sitting up on its own, reaching for food, lack of extreme drooling. She can also skip purees, theyre pretty silly... when her baby is ready for real food, she should be able to chew table food.
Until then, your sister is doing the BEST thing she can by nursing. Tell her to keep up the good work and support her... bring her dinner from her favorite resturant and do her dishes :)
2007-03-15 06:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your sister is feeding her baby in the best possible way for a preemie or any newborn. Full-term babies generally can try some baby food at three to four months, but her doctor has to guide her because premature babies are not as fully developed as a full-term baby and might not be able to handle solid food at that age. Breast milk is packed full of all the things your little niece or nephew needs to grow strong. Give your sister all the loving support and try to help her however you can; you show you are a great brother by your concern! Best wishes to your family.
2007-03-15 06:11:39 · answer #2 · answered by Bandmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are recommendations which I think start at 4 months onwards. My son is 8 weeks old and I have just started giving him once a day (when we have our dinner around 6pm) a teaspoon of very runny rice cerial to fil him up a bit more.Next week I am going to increase it to twice daily, at breakfast and at dinner and if that goes well 3 times a day. But I do know with Premie babies alot of changes should be run by a doctor first to make sure the child is developed enough. If she is only 5 pounds I wouldn't be starting solids anytime soon, the breast milk should be plenty.
2007-03-15 14:46:01 · answer #3 · answered by three_red_shoes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rice cereal and baby food can be started between 4-6 months (with the emphasis on 6 months). Find out more about starting a baby on solids as www.babycenter.com
2007-03-15 06:08:24 · answer #4 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my son was born, the doctor told me that he (my son) was not supposed to eat anything for a year. Nothing but formula. At first, of course, this was enough, and he was a happy baby. Then at about 6 weeks old, he would not sleep very long, and was crying all the time. My mom told me to put a very small amount of baby cereal in his milk. The change was almost immediate-he began to sleep very well after he was fed, and he would wake up cheerful and playful. When the cycle started again, my mom told me to try a small amount of strained egg yolks in his milk. IN OTHER WORDS, if it seems like the baby is fussy and hungry, try some food that is age appropriate. Your sister can still breast feed as a supplement once the baby starts eating other food.
2007-03-15 06:18:09 · answer #5 · answered by cat14675 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Rice cereal is usually started anywhere between 4-6 months of age and then the baby food around 6 months of age. Babies do not acutally need to eat solids until they are 6 months of age...that's when they need the extra nutrients and calories from foods...till then...their milk (formula or breastmilk) is sufficient in providing them the vitamins and minerals that their little body needs...some doctors opt to wait till 6 mos of age to introduce solids to allow the baby's digestive system TO FULLY MATURE
2007-03-15 06:13:38 · answer #6 · answered by amommyhbms 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Breastmilk is the BEST thing for the baby. It has all the fat and vitamins, etc that the baby needs.
Before starting solids the baby should be sitting up, teething, show an interest in food, and no longer have the tongue thrust reflex. Then you start slowly with things like avocado, sweet potatoes, etc.
I'd suggest kangaroo care and lots of time nursing.
2007-03-15 06:10:57 · answer #7 · answered by Ellie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am currently nursing my fourth child and just for the record, breast fed babies don't start cereal anywhere near bottlefed babies. The American Academy od Pediatrics doesn't recommend beginning any cereals or outside foods until after at least 6 months of age. Your sister is the baby's mother and she knows what's best for her baby...breastmilk is all her baby needs.
2007-03-15 06:38:55 · answer #8 · answered by Sensible Momma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't start feeding solid foods until 6 months. At 4 months you can start cereal by spoon, like rice cereal but only if the doctor said its ok. Don't rush this child, its tiny, and only needs formula right now.
2007-03-15 06:09:03 · answer #9 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to give a baby any solid food until 6 months of age, unless they are bigger and liquids are not satisfying them anymore. I didn't start cereal with my last baby until she turned 6 months.
2007-03-15 06:12:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋