When did you start giving your babies food and juice?

Question

I'm having a fit because my mother in law insists on giving our son food! He's almost 5 months old, and I am at my wits end. She says it's ok that's how we did it back in the day, she also gives him diluted juice. Why do older people take it upon themselves to do whatever they think is right for your child? When can he have this stuff?
Pllllease help this first time mom

Answer 1

I think that it should be determined by the baby. My girl is 5 months and been eating rice among other things since about 3.5 months. But she's a big girl and I don't mean fat, I mean big, long tall. She's just always been a big baby and ready for things sooner than most babies.
She went from rice in her bottle
to rice from a spoon in about a week. and not everyday but at least once to 3 times a week. Sometimes formula just didn't keep her full. She started waking up in the middle of the night and watching me eat. She's on stage 1 baby foods now. We've tried 4 different version in the last month. Some she likes some she doesn't. I let them feed her cereal in the mornings at daycare. And believe it or not my little monkey is still considered a little underweight compared to her height. So if your baby is taking it well and likes it give it too him. You don't have to do everything by the book...Your baby will let you know when they are ready.

Answer 2

Well, with my daughter who weighed in at 9.0 lbs I didnt start giving rice cereal and juice until she was atleast 2 months old because she was a good size baby and the doctor said to feed her more because she wasnt gaining enough weight while eating just the formula and cereal .I made my own baby food for her when she was around 4 months old....she is now 11 years old no health problems at all. With my son who is 19 months now and weighed in at 10.3lbs, this was a different story. I did not make enough breastmilk to keep him satisfied, since he had juandice we were in the hospital for one week the nurses and doctors decided that my son needed to be fed formula and breastmilk. Once he turned 2 months old breastmilk and formula wasnt enough for him, so I got the greenlight to start him on rice cereal and some of the stage 1 babyfoods. This was done ONLY beacuse he was a large baby. I do agree that if you start a baby on food too soon it can cause problems such as allergies and various other issues....So, I would say that if your son is getting full off of the formula or breastmilk wait until the doctor says to introduce your son to other foods and you feel comfortable doing so, also your son has to be willing to try other foods too....As far as mom in law goes you may have to have a nice talk with her and explain your concerns to her....I had one child 11 years ago when it was ok to put babies on their stomach, now days it could be fatal, or what about when there were no laws stating that babies had to be in a car seat,many baby lives were lost during those days, that being said, just because it was ok then doesnt mean its okay now. Do what you and your doctor think is best for your son. Congrats on the new baby.

Answer 3

I went through the same thing with my Grandmother when my son was approx. 6 wks old. Granny would start giving him little taste of ice cream, etc. By the time he was five months old he was eating a good amount of table food that was soft enough for him to gum. I went along with it because she has 5 kids of her own and Mason was acting like he was not satisfied with the formula and/or baby food. The juices I started around 3-4 mo but it was watered down and in small amounts. I am also a first time mother. If you are still unsure I would ask your ped for a time line that you can go by.

Answer 4

Make her stop, NOW! Giving your child any solids at all before 6 months of age puts them at risk for childhood and adult obesity, allergies, and diabetes. "We did it back in the day" is NEVER an acceptable reason to do anything, especially involving a child. My sister has type 1 diabetes, and one possible cause could be that our mother fed us too early (as well as the formula we received). The AAP now recommends waiting at least 6 months before giving ANY solids to babies to avoid problems. Not to mention, juice is pretty much liquid sugar (even baby juice) and takes away from your son eating much more nutritious breastmilk (or formula). Pediatricians sometimes still tell you to go ahead and try rice cereal and simple solids at 4-6 months, but doctors do not know everything. That information is outdated, so if your doctor suggests that, ask him or her why they are suggesting that, since the AAP recommends waiting until 6 months. Unless they have a VERY good reason, then just wait- your baby will thank you later.


http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/readyforsolids.htm
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html#watchbaby

Answer 5

it is fine to start them out at 4 months, or even 2 months
start cereals first, then the stage 1 foods, for about a month
then to stage 2 foods, until they show that they can chew then move to stage 3 and finger foods, juice is fine a t this age but make sure its half water half juice in a sippy cup, when introducing sippy cup, they really won;t drink the juice for a while cause they need to practice holding the cup properly and that can take up to a month or two

its not going to hurt them, all our mothers gave cereals and pureed foods at a young age to all of us, so what is the problem with it now? we all turned out fine

make sure you give cereals in a bowl with a spoon

hes old enough now that he can handle the food, don't be afraid to try him on it, its fine

Answer 6

That depends on you and your baby. juice is not the best because it lacks nutrition... only added vit C! It does help if baby is contipated, though. As for food... some say 4-6 mos, and others say 6 or more months. I started my daughter on cereal and squash (yellow food is easier to digest) at 4.5 mos because I was low on breastmilk and did not want her to have formula. She didn't like it and it upset her stomache. My Dr. said that it was fine, and she loved it from day one. She also had teeth already, which is an indicator of your baby's readiness. Also, if baby can sit up assisted, open mouth for spoon, and seems interested in your food, you may try it. Still, it is up to you, not your mother in law. Times have changed and you need to put your foot down!!

Answer 7

UGH, I know the feeling! My Mother drives me NUTS when she takes care of my kids. She kept putting my baby to sleep on his tummy, even though I SCREAMED at her for it, repeatedly.

OK, so.. the answer is: Try to ask her, politely, to abide by your decisions. You are the baby's mother, and what you say, goes. If she won't back off, you might have to cut her off. Don't let her be alone with him, don't let her hold him, etc.

That said, at five months a baby CAN have stage 1 (and possibly stage 2) foods... and really soft foods like yogurt. My pediatrician had me start my baby on rice cereal and stage 1 foods at four months. At this age it's just for practice and variety; their main nutrition still comes from breastmilk or formula.

I think juices should come a little later though... I think around nine months.

Answer 8

Well they should start to fill up on other things too, I gave my babies juice and food when they were four months old, but in small amounts. But you should ask your mother-in-law to stay out of it because it may be her grandchild, but first and foremost it is your child and you should try to do what you feel is best for his health.

Answer 9

You should only give your son food when you think he is ready i started giving my daughter mushed up food and rusks from about 4 months but she wasn't interested but then i tryed at nearly 6 months and she couldn't get enough as long as he is having water then there is no real need to give him juice unless you feel its right.

Answer 10

well, i have 3 kids, and each one of them i started on solids and juice at different times.. simply for the fact, that each child is different and i believe are ready for things at different times..

My oldest son, was born 10lbs 9oz and was already up to 8oz of formula every 4 hours, and wanting more, so i started him on cereal at 2 months, veggies and fruits at 3 months and juice at 4 months.. Of course i heard it from my pedi that he was going to have all these allergies and digestive problems, but i did, what i felt was best for my son... now he's a healthy 7 yr old with no problems.

My daughter, i started a bit later, she was 9lbs at birth, never would drink more then 6oz of formula at a time, and i started her on cereal at 4 months, tried juice at 4 months but she wanted nothing to do with it.. and veggies and fruits at around 5 months

My youngest son, who is now 10 months.. I started on cereal at about 5 months, he wasnt too interested in solids so i didnt push them that much.. fruits and veggies i started around 7 months.. and now at 10 months, he wont even touch baby food anymore, he is all on table food

So all kids are different, you do what you feel is best for you and your baby.. and if you dont like what someone is feeding your child, you have every right to tell them to stop!!