At what age can babies start stage 2 foods?

Question

I have a six month old baby boy and started him on stage 2 foods already. He was hungry all the time and seemed to be doing just fine with the stage1 foods (besides still being hungry after 1 jar and one 8oz bottle). The stage 2 foods fill him up nicely and he doesnt cry about it and goes back to being his happy self. Well I just took him to the doctor today..and they said that he can only have stage 1 foods still becuase he cannot digest them yet..and no fruit..and a 2oz of juice in the morning and 2oz of juice at night..or water in the morning..I have stage 2 nipples for the bottles (fast flow) and she said no to that..only use slow flow...but yet he can use a sippy cup now..I guess I dont understand..and would like to know what other parents were told. Thanks a bunch

Answer 1

I have been told the same thing, but see the doctor sees you for 15 minutes every two months. You know your baby better than anyone. I would keep doing what you are doing, as long as your baby is doing fine. Just keep an eye on his bowel movements. That is what will tell you if he isn't handling the food. They tell me that even if he is going to the bathroom with hard stool, that they are constipated. But I have been giving my 6 month old stage 2 for about a month now. As for the fruits, you do have to be careful with apples and bananas ~ they cause constipation in many babies. You do want to make sure that you son gets at least 25 - 30 oz of formula in addition to what food you give him. I had a nutrition meeting with a nutritionist in the community and I checked all of these things with her before I started this and she said that all babies are different and as long as I was keeping an eye on her that I was doing the right thing. Just when you introduce new things, keep with only that thing for about 5 days to make sure there is not allergy (if you introduce more than one thing in the 5 day period you will not know which one caused the allergic reaction!)

And with the nipples, I start my children on the larger hole nipples around 2 1/2 to 3 months as they were even getting upset with how slow they were feeding.

Answer 2

I would think stage 2 should come after 9 months, or when they have a few teeth. They food seems to be chunkier than stage 1. But you might rely on what the doctor is telling you because babies digestive systems do not work at the same efficiency as our digestive systems. It could cause baby to be uncomfortable, gassy, and problems going to the bathroom. Also exposure to certain foods at too young of an age can cause food allergies down the road, and stage 2 food tend to incorporate more of a variety of foods, when he should probably still be on the basics. Baby cereal, baby applesauce, pureed bananas, avocados, green beans, etc.

Answer 3

Can you clarify what you mean by "stage 2" foods? It looks like you already started baby food, you say, "one jar."

You should not be giving him fruit this early because fruit is highly allergenic at a young age. It won't necessarily hurt him but he is more likely to develop allergies if you start fruit now.

As for the fast flow nipples, if he can handle the flow, then go for it. Each baby is different and at 6 months many babies might not be able to keep up with that flow but it sounds like your son is ahead of the game.

Answer 4

I'd be careful adding stage 2 foods at this point. Just give him more stage 1 foods. Keep with the cereals and veggies and you'll have a veggie eater later on.... Babies not only can't digest the foods at this age, they can also be a choking hazard.
I'd also check on the "giving the baby water" thing. I've never given a baby under one ANY water. You have to be very careful with water, it can be very dangerous for a baby this age. His primary calorie intake at this point should be breast milk or formula, maybe increase his bottles. Are you feeding him cereal yet? My babies always seemed more satisfied after eating cereal. Look in the baby aisle for the Gerber cereals and maybe try adding that to his feedings. (mix it with milk..not too thick..you don't want him to choke on it)

Good luck :)

Answer 5

Stage 2 at 6 months should be fine if the baby is doing well swollowing and chewing (or simulating chewing) plus you might consider adding some cereal to Stage 1 food to thicking them up (even try this before going to Stage 2)

Try to vary in flavors too it might not be that the baby is "hungry" just not getting the nutraints they need from one flavor all the time. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Yes, I was told that it's more developmental, and that sitting up unassisted is the cue for Stage 2. If your baby isn't there yet, try giving him more cereal, and make the cereal with liquid formula, not water. That should help fill his little belly more.

At six months, I was still feeding every three hours or so. That's still too young to consolidate meals.

I don't understand the bottle nipple exclusion/sippy cup inclusion, though. I would ask for more information from your doctor.

Answer 7

He does seem a little young for stage 2. And the doctor is right about not being able to digest it. I think my daughter started on stage 2 around 8 months maybe I really cant remember but she was older than 6 months.

Answer 8

i was told by my pediatrician that 6 months is fine for stage two and that my baby could have fruit especially bananas. so that is what i was doing for her. maybe she is saying that your baby is a special case and should wait until later for some reason or she is just over cautious the only thing i was told to watch out for is stage two meat products it is still hard for babies to digest meats so i would wait on those. and ive been using medium flow nipples for my daughter ever since she could hold her own head up since she would get bored waiting to finish the bottles with slow flow.

Answer 9

well if you think he does fine pooping on stage 2 foods then you should keep him on that and give him like massed potatoes that you make but make them a little runny and not a bunch of salt and pepper. The juice make sure it is real watered down. Your doc probably knows best so use your judgment good luck.

Answer 10

i gave my baby stage 2 when she was 8 months old,

when my baby was 6 months she was always hungry too. so i just started giving her food more often ,, every 3 hours or 2 1/2 hours.
and she was full.