Is it okay to introduce semi-solids at 5 months old?
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics' section on breastfeeding supports exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, its committee on nutrition says that solids can be introduced between 4 and 6 months. Don't introduce solids before this age, however, because that can put your baby at increased risk for developing food allergies. Your doctor will help you determine exactly when your child is ready for food. He should be able to control his head and neck well, show signs when he's full (e.g., turning his head away from you or the bottle), and show interest in grown-up food. Every baby is different, so don't worry if your 4-month-old only wants breast milk or formula.Start with an iron-fortified, single-grain cereal such as rice or oatmeal. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls of cereal with breast milk or formula to make a soupy-oatmeal consistency. Place your baby in an upright or semi-upright feeding chair or high chair and feed him the cereal twice a day using a baby spoon. Although you may have heard about parents putting cereal in a bottle, we want babies to eat their food, not drink it. It's a developmental accomplishment for a baby to learn to control his oral motor muscles to eat off a spoon. Don't worry if it all runs down his chin the first 10 times. He'll get the hang of it eventually, and in the meantime it makes for some great photo opportunities.It's often helpful to feed baby solids between nursing sessions or bottle feedings, just so he can start and finish with something familiar. Breastfeed for a few minutes or give baby a few ounces from a bottle. This way he isn't starving but still has an appetite for solids. Then top off his meal by nursing or bootlefeeding again until he seems full. Once he gets used to spoonfeeding, he probably won't need to warm up with that familiar "appetizer." At this point, it's best to nurse or bottlefeed after solids or cereal.here is a complete article on baby feeding have a look An Age By Age Guide To Feeding Your Baby
How do I give solid foods to my 4 month old baby?
I only want to point out that an experiment was done with older children (I suppose 3 years or less) who were given a huge variety of food in a room from which to eat. They binged on one food and then another and another, making their way around the room. Over time, they ate a balanced diet. Kids are very much more intuitive than adults, as their lives depend on it and they have so little experience denying or ignoring their intuition. Speaking as a grandparent, but not as father of my own infant, it makes a lot of sense to let the baby decide, and if you believe a desire for solid food is taking a long time to develop, certainly don't push it on a child who has not molars and front teeth. Why would nature require solids prior to having the teeth to chew? Breast milk, if available, is Nature's ideal food for a baby. Don't cut it short for reasons based on reasoning. Use your own intuition, which is strongest when you are in your heart. If your baby cries, s/he has some unmet some physical or emotional need(s!). Do not ignore crying. Deliberate manipulation, as in a two or three year old having a temper tantrum, is unknown to a toddler. They cry for a reason. Your intuition, being born, like wisdom, of the heart, will be accompanied by a compulsion to provide the baby what it needs, which, like all communication in people of any age, involves not just content, but how it is delivered. In fact, you will find as your infant matures that the delivery is often more important than the content. Therein lies a cue to the deeper need, not only of babies, but of people of any age. Your relationship with your infant is forming right now. Now is always "now" regardless of age. If you use your heart to know these things, and more, then you will know fulfillment of motherhood, parenting, and deep love and respect.
What are the pros and cons of starting semi solids for babies at 4 months of age?
By studies by AAP and WHO, no babies should be getting solid food at four months.The pros to feeding a baby at four months solid food other than the formula and breast milk they should be having:It is exciting! You can feed baby something they have never tasted before.Grandmothers and some other people will stop thinking you are starving your baby.Your baby will occasionally appear to be happier.Cons to feeding your baby solids at four months:You are risking long term or short term gut damage to your baby's open gut.Your baby may fill on the solids rather than the formula or breastmilk they need, and since they do not have the enzyme to digest it for nutrition, they can suffer from lack of nutrition and brain development can suffer.Your baby can have severe stomach pain.Basically, solids before 6 months is more for the enjoyment of parents and relatives than the good of the child. It can appear to be a need, but in the end, a baby is developing and grabbing things is a normal part of it. If they grab your keys, it doesn't mean they are ready to drive the car. If they grab your beer, it doesn't mean they need beer or are old enough to drink.Don’t Feed Your Baby Solid Food Before 6 Months'Look At Him Watching You Eat, He's Desperate To Join In!'Infant Food and FeedingIf your baby needs more nutrition, give him food he can digest and use. Formula and breastmilk is best for babies under six months. Will your baby be fine if you don't listen? Many babies grow up healthy and fine eating a subpar diet, albeit with some mild stomach issues, allergies, eczema, and other things, but otherall healthy.If you can prevent that, why wouldn't you?
My baby girl is 4 months old and we've been told to start her on solids. I have doubts about cereal based stuff. What would be the best food to start her off eating?
May be this can help you - Worry of Indian moms - how to chose right food for babies Baby Food Stage 2: (4 to 6 months)At this stage, your infant’s milk or formula intake will increase (up to one liter in a day). You will also notice that your baby will start showing the signs “momma, I am ready to eat solid foods” You should watch for signsBaby’s neck is stable Can sit with back support on chairShowing interest in food (staring at your food)Seems hungry after sufficient breast feed (crying, uneasiness, thumb sucking)Put a spoon in her mouth and see if she can open and close mouth around the spoon.What to feedBreast milk or formula milkMashed banana and appleWell cooked, pureed and strained carrot and sweet potatoPulse soup after boiling pulse in sufficient water (water of moong dal)Feeding TipsThe first food must be a single grain food. You should keep a gap of at least three days between two new foods. Test with small quantities. Watch out for any type of allergies. If you see any allergies then discontinue that particular food and talk to pediatric regarding possible remedies of allergy. If your baby refuses to eat whatever you are offering then don’t force, just try it next day.
At what age should I start giving solids to my baby?
Most parents are not sure about when to start giving solids to their little one. As your baby reaches the 5-month age mark, you may remain concerned about feeding solids to her. The pediatrics society suggests keeping babies exclusively on breastmilk till the age of 6 months. However, there is no watertight rule that you need to follow.If your child is happy with the milk and not giving any cues for starting solids, then it is recommended to keep him on breast milk until 6 months of age.You can look out for signs 5+month baby is ready for solid foodYour baby seems unsatisfied after milk feeds and asks for more to cure his hunger.Your baby has good head control and can sit with less or no support.Your baby has lost the tongue thrust reflex and opens mouth easily for a spoon.Your baby looks on your plate out of curiosity and indicates to you that he too wants to eat the same.
How to introduce purified baby food to almost 4 month old boy?
Starting solids to make a small baby grow faster is poor advice. Formula or breastmilk contains MORE calories and fat than cereal or pureed apples, so by adding solids you'll just reduce his milk intake and cause him to gain even more poorly. Your babies weight gain is on the low end (4 pounds in 3 months -- you calculate from return to birthweight, which usually occurs at around 2 weeks) but well within the normal range. If he's hungry, offer more formula. (5 ounces isn't too much if that's what he wants/needs.) If he doesnt' want more, trust that he's eating what he needs and gaining as he is supposed to gain. Current recommendations are to start solids at around 6 months, and NEVER before 4 months, so he has at least 2 weeks before you should even consider starting. And consider a new doctor. Yours is giving harmful advice.
My daughter's pediatrician mentioned starting solid foods around 4 months, but the WHO recommends 6. Why would she suggest starting so early?
Hi,In developing countries, the risk of illness dramatically increases when babies start solids since many families may lack access to clean water and/or refrigeration. That’s why WHO and many other healthcare organizations suggest the 6 month milk-only diet standard.However, studies have found that with proper food handling procedures, feeding solids to babies at 4 months has no difference in terms of infant growth and energy intake comparing to starting solids at 6 months. In fact, it is recommended in many Asian countries to start solids earlier as baby’s iron storage from birth is depleting at this stage.I personally think that when it comes to feeding, let your baby take the lead. If your baby shows signs of readiness and doesn’t seem to be satisfy by just milk (either refusing milk or still hungry after feedings), then it’s time to start solids. The general guideline is that, if your baby is showing ALL of the following, then it’s safe to proceed with starting solids:Baby is interested in foods by staring attentively at your food when you are eating or trying to reach and grab foods on the tableBaby can sit up well without support and has strong neck controlBaby has lost his/her tongue-thrust reflex which pushes any solids out with his/her tongueFeeding solids is not simple, you want to feed your babies tasty and nutritious first foods. But what kind of food should you be giving? How much? How often? If you like my answer, you can read more about introducing solids to your baby and tips for a successful first feeding on my blog: Introducing Solids to Baby - Complete Guide to Successful First Feedings