Starting my baby on solids, help?

Question

Hi I just recently started my 4 month old on solids. I know he's young and some people wait longer but I read that if he could sit with help that it's okay, which he is, among other things.

I've been feeding him (stage 1 foods) when he's hungry and he opens his mouth and pushes the spoon in, etc but today for some weird reason I was feeding him, he eat the whole thing and did the same signs as if he wanted more but he stuck his fingers in his mouth and threw up! I'm wondering if i'm not reading his signs well that's he's had enough... I don't get it, he pushed the spoon in and opened his mouth for more, why did he throw up?

Is it possible that he's just not ready or am I missing his cues somehow?

THANKS FOR ANSWERING!

Answer 1

A baby that young may not release the cause and effect of eating. He might have thrown up because even though he was enjoying the "eating" part, he didn't really want all that food.
When I first started my son (at 4 months) we only gave him 1/2 of the stage 1 plastic rectangle things of food. Just enough to basically practice eating and try new flavors. We started by only doing this about 1 hour before bed. Then we had daycare feed him once at lunch and we fed him once before bed. That way he got into a routine... not just every time he was hungry. He always drank formula after the food too because we didn't give him very much.
Now he is 6 months and eats the whole container and we're working on 3x's a day.

Answer 2

He shouldn't be eating an entire can or bottle of it all at once. I have read that 1/4 to 1/2 is all that they should really be eating at that age. My son is almost 8months old and is eating about 1/4 to 1/2 more of the 1/2 then the 1/4 at a time that I feed him. When my son gets to much milk he will stick his hands in his mouth and throw up too. I asked the doctor and she said that it is because they eat to much for ltheir little tummies to hold

Answer 3

He may have accidently triggered the reflex to vomit when he stuck his fingers in his mouth. It may be a little early, and sometimes teething can interfere, such as sticking fingers in his mouth, etc, although it's a little early for teeth. If you feel compelled to continue with solid foods despite it being a little early, then do everything in moderation, and experiment with what does down ok and what comes back up, or out, in a disagreeable way. Just gradually give him a little cereal mixed with formula, or stage one food and then his regular formula. If a baby doesn't want more he usually spits things back out or turns his head away, or generally shows signs of losing interest in the food.

Answer 4

He has a strong gag reflex. My second was like that - could make himself throw up whenever (still can and he's 14!). At 4 months mine were of a size for rice cereal and oatmeal. We didn't do Stage 1 foods til a bit later, but you should be fine.
Feed him one little jar, then clean him up and take him to do something else. If he wants more, he'll let you know - don't worry! Babies aren't too subtle about food :-)
Just a warning tho - when it comes time for his dental appointments in a few years, don't take him there right after eating. Messy results follow - from experience.

Answer 5

If he has done this a couple of times, I would think that he is not old enough for solids. The average age to start solids is between 4-6 months, so maybe it's just a bit early.

I would hold off on it for a few weeks, then maybe try it again. Ease into it slowly so he doesn't feel overwhelmed by the change.

Answer 6

He might have gagged himself accidently when he put his fingers into his mouth. Sometimes it does happen. If he continued to do this, this you might have something to worry about. I've been around a lot of infants and when they got a little older, and some would gag themselves and repeat it and laugh, but they usually do not throw up everytime. I do agree with some of the others. It is a little too young to begin feeding at this age because they can develope food allergies.

Answer 7

He is TOO YOUNG for solids. Starting solids before 6 months can lead to digestive problems, allergies and obesity. Wait until he is at least 6 months and:
* can sit up well without support.
* has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
* is ready and willing to chew.
* is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger. Using the fingers and scraping the food into the palm of the hand (palmar grasp) does not substitute for pincer grasp development.
* is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth.

Most babies are ready to start solids at 6-9 months of age.

Answer 8

It's probably not the right time to feed your baby solids. One of the signs that your baby is ready for solids is that THEY show signs of fullness (pushing away, turning their head away, etc.) It isn't your fault and you cannot read signs that are not there. Babies just have to learn what full feels like, and that time is about 4-6 months of age.

Answer 9

Try not to feed him so much even if he is asking for it. He is only 4 months old. Of course at that age they stick their fingers in their mouths a lot which causes the gaging reflex to work. You can try keeping his hands out of his mouth. Just lowering it back down. Trust your motherly instinct and/or ask his pediatrician.

Answer 10

I believe in the "if he isn't hungary he wont eat" idea. It could be that he put his fingers in too much and threw up on accident. I would try maybe feeding him 1/2 the jar with a little cereal mixed in and follow that with some formula. Thats what I did on my baby.

Hope everything works out!!