what age is it ok for a baby to start eating baby food?

Answer 1

my started cereal at 1 month and baby food at 2-3 month

Answer 2

Rice cereal can be started at 4 months although it's now suggested that you wait until closer to 6 months, and vegetables and fruits can be started at 6 months, which is when a baby's digestive system can handle the foods. The only thing a baby needs for 6 months is breatmilk or formula, anything else given in this time takes away from that and is not as nutrionally good for them. Never put rice ceral in a bottle unless told to by a doctor for reasons such as acid reflux. This is something that many mother's will tell you they did, but it's not recommended by doctors, feeding specilaists, or the rice cereal manufactures. All food should be fed by a spoon.

Answer 3

All children develop differently and what is right for one baby is not for the other. My children could never wait the four to six months as reccommended. They were all big babies...9-9, 9-5, 8-1. I think that big babies need more food sooner. I fed my first at 3 months, my second at six weeks (doctor's orders!) and my third at eight weeks. This is when they all ate an eight ounce bottle and were crying of hunger again two hours later. That is the main sign. If they drink 6-8 ounces every two hours.

Answer 4

Solids should not be given before 6 months. The link i included below is mainly for breastfeed babies but that still applies to formula.

main reason for waiting is that before 6 (or around i'd say give or take a few weeks) their digestive system is not mature enough to handle solids. Delaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies. (full explinations are in the link)

Giving cereal in a bottle is pointless. It doesn't help with them to sleep better and rice cereal, which is what is recommended for that, by parents not doctors, is pure carbs, there is NO nutritional value whatsoever in there. I would rather fill my baby up on breastmilk (or formula) than empty calories. And its been proven that with cereal in the bottle, they wake up more frequently not the reverse. Talk to a WIC worker, or your baby's doctor. Don't forget, for the first year, a baby's nutrition comes from formula or from breastmilk and that solids before a year are to teach them about colors, smells, tastes, and textures, and also corridnation (pinching small objects).

Look for signs that they are ready also. Sitting on own. Has lost the tongue thrust reflex (does push food out when offered on a spoon), there are others to look for, but i can't remember them off the top of my head.

FWIW, I started my dd on solids a week before she turned 6 months since she kept grabbing food off my plate.

Answer 5

After 3 or 6 months.

Answer 6

You can start at 3 to 4 months. To get the baby used to a new taste and eager to try more, give baby juices in a bottle first. The first time you do this you will see the baby's eyes get real wide and see it's surprise and delight.

After that first introduction, your baby will be more eager to try the spoon thing. Don't try the spoon first. A familiar method of eating (suckling) and a brand new taste opens the baby's mind to the possibilities. Trying to introduce that first new taste AND a new method of eating together makes baby cranky and reluctant.

Answer 7

My son started with baby food at age 3 months. This was what his dr. prescribed. If your baby still seems hungry after nursing or having a bottle, then they may be ready for baby food. You should ask your dr. first.

Answer 8

3-6 monts is mostly the oatmeal and formula then at about
6-9 months is when you should start feeding a baby jarred babyfood
and about 9-12 depending on the development of their teeth you can think about moving on to solids like chicken nuggets or carrots and celery sticks

Answer 9

Doctors recommend starting solids, beginning with rice cereal at 4-5 months. Then you can start introducing baby foods. Start off with green vegetables *peas, green beans, etc.*, then move on to orange and yellow *carrots, squash*. Then you can start on fruits, and last, the meats. It is recommended that once you start with baby food, you stick with just one food for a week to easily weed out allergies. My doctor just told me this BUT...
My son was born at 9 pounds, 10 ounces. He is 10 weeks old and weighs 14 pounds. Formula just was not filling him up at all. It seemed like he was eating constantly. So I started adding a little bit of cereal to his bottle at his first morning feeding, and before putting him to bed. It satisfies him, and helps him sleep through the night. He handles it well.
If you feel as though your baby needs some food, start off by putting a small amount of rice cereal in his bottle. If he doesn't spit it up, he can probably handle it okay. If he is spitting it up, or breaks out in a rash or other indications of an allergic reaction, then stop.
Doctors put guidelines on babies in general, without looking at each baby's needs. If you feel as though your baby is not getting full of of formula, by all means go with your gut and give him a little food. But hold off on table food and things such as regular milk for a while. Cereal and baby food should be sufficient. *By the way, if you would like to give your baby a little baby food, there are some signs that they are ready to eat. If the baby can hold his head up well and is over the tongue thrusting reflex(where he is trying to push everything out of his mouth), then by all means try a little baby food. Just be sure to watch out for any warning signs *such as signs of an allergic reaction*.

Answer 10

My sister started feeding my niece baby food when she was 4 months. Your not really supposed to feed sweet potatoes to babies until they are 5 months.