When should a baby be introduced to baby food?

Question

My brother and his wife started feeding baby fod to their infant at 3 months, and she seems to have some stomach/intestional issues afterwards. I think that maybe it's a litlle too early but they seem to think it's fine and now im pregnant with my first chiuld and wondering if this is okay and maybe im over reacting? ( i havent confronted them about it)

Answer 1

I think the average age is 4-6 mos. 3 mos may be a bit early since the infant's digestive system is quite immature at that point. Could be why she's had some stomach issues. The key is looking at the baby's mouth. If it's tongue keeps pushing the food back out, then you should wait a bit and try again. It's a reflex that has to be set before you can begin. There are other various signs which will tell you that the baby is ready to start on solid foods. When her weight is twice the birth weight, and she weighs round 13-15 pounds, the body will need solid foods and also when she is able to sit with support, and can lean forward to show she wants another spoonful, or backwards to refuse further food. You can understand that she can take solid foods when she has gained sufficient control over her head and neck muscles so that she can turn her head to show she does not want any more food, or when you find that her appetite has grown, and her formula intake in 24 hours is 32-40 ounces, and she still wants more of it. You may also want to start feeding her solid food when your baby starts showing curiosity about what others are eating – she may start eyeing your bowl of spaghetti or reach out for a forkful of cooked food. I hope these suggestions help! Good luck!

Answer 2

Most health care professionals advise between 4 and 6 months of age. There are occasions when the infant isn't gainning enough weight and is put on a slow entry solid food diet (of course still with formula or breastmilk) before 4 months, it is isn't very coomon.

You are very right, solids shouldn't usually start at 3 months, many people will tell you otherwise, but obviously haven't done the research on the empty calorie rice cereal, digestive issues, and increase rate of allergies.

In the long run, it is far better to wait 3 more months, than rush a child into eating when they are not ready (mentally as well). Another common problem is choking on solid food, as a baby is 'sucking' in the food and not chewing it, as this is how they drink. A rule to follow....a baby must learn to chew, before they can learn to swallow.

Breastmilk and many formulas provide all the nutrients needed for the childs 1st year of life, food is just for learning now and having fun, and enjoying. It doesn't become 'important' until 12 months, and even at 12 months breastmilk is still very beneficial.

So, in short, you are right, but then again, they may have spoken with their doctor. In the end only you can raise your child, so do the research before introducing solids (rice cereal isn't always best!).

Best wishes.

Answer 3

A baby should be introduced to rice cereal at 4 months old. Anything earlier than that can cause digestive problems for the baby because it is still maturing. You are not overreating and your brother and his wife have started too early with the baby food. Breastmilk or formula is the primary source of a babie's nutrition for the first year of life so there is no need to rush into the baby food.

Answer 4

3 months is considered early, but sometimes a baby is ready and needs solids this early (my second was like this, and I was really worried given all the things you read about not starting too early, but he was miserable on just milk and wanted to feed absolutely continuously. So I started him on solids as per the medical advice I was getting and he never looked back).

Don't worry unless you really have concerns about your brother's parenting skills - ask your mum and you'll probably discover that you were started on solids the day you hit 12 weeks, if not sooner, because that's how it was back then.

The right time is when your baby's ready. And that's wildly different between babies.

Answer 5

my baby also started solids (cereals and jarred foods) at 3 months. My dctor suggested this as I was struggling with her. She was eating 10-12 8oz bottles a day and still crying inbetween. as soon as we started cereals she went down to 6-8 8oz bottles and was back to sleeping all night. She is 7 months now and has no problems and still happily eats. Every baby is different - there is no right time necessarily to start solids at - except when your baby is ready.

Answer 6

That is quite early - likely too early. But readiness is not about age, it's about the baby. If she weighs at leat 13 lbs, has good head/neck control and is not satisfied after 32 ounces of fornula per day, it may be time to try some rice cereal from a spoon 1x per day.

Here's an article from a pediatrician for you to learn more: http://www.drgreene.com/21_864.html

Answer 7

different parents have different parenting skills.
i do not think it is necessary to "confront them about it"
as it will only cause conflict and its really not your business.
you can start solids with your baby when your baby seems ready for them.
usually this is between 4-6 months. most peds are recommending waiting until 6 months.
i started my babies on solids around 4 months and they did fine on it. i started her on finger foods at 8 months and she is now 9 months and on all finger foods.
good luck,
and remember its your baby so you can raise your children how you wish

Answer 8

I started letting my kids have a taste of solid food at 3mths old, just mashed potato or pumpkin. They loved it! I then started at about 4mths to actually feed them some themselves and by 5mths it was a twice a day thing. They may be starting a month or so early but really if the child is eating it, go for it. Make sure it is not replacing breast/bottle milk though as this is still their most needed source of nutrients at this age. I don't believe in waiting till a child is 6mths old to start eating solids, as my kids would've been starving by that age.
Congratulations!

Answer 9

ok if the baby is breastfed, better start when it is 6 mo

if it is not breasfed, then can be started at 4 mo

3 mo is too young

few things to be concerned:
1. no add flavour until it is 10 mo old or older
2. it is ready for solid when it has a head control
3. has to start with very very mushy foods
4. no eggs until 9 mo
5 at 4 his stomach is stronger to have somethig solid, but if it is breastfed, wait until it is 6 mo


poor baby... 3 mo given solid :p poor it's stomach .... :((((

Answer 10

I'm a mother of 2 and i started feeding mine solids at about 4 months on bland things to start eg baby rice and they was fine , your health visitor will talk you through this