4month old wanting solids??

[Lin]

Hi all! :wave:

I was just wondering what to do about my 4mth old little girl. At the moment she's breastfed and I'm told you're supposed to up until 6mths at least. But lately with everything I eat and especially drink, she's reaching up for my mug or for whatever I'm eating. Does this mean that she's ready for something a little more substancial? Has anyone given their bubs any solids before 6mths? I'd just like some advice as to what to do. :)

[the_queen]

I'd say it means you are doing a fabulous job feeding her already, and her brain is developing perfectly!! :thumbsup: Reaching for things is a developmental milestone, doesn't mean she's ready for solids. In the first year of life, nutrition comes from breastmilk anyway, and any solids are for taste and texture experimentation.
Having said that, I did start my DD on solids at 4 months, but that was the recomendation back then. These days the experts know a lot more about little guts and they now know that a baby's digestive system is still quite immature at 4 months, and it's better to wait until 6 months, at least. I've heard of exclusively breastfed babies who don't get into solids until 12 months old.

Look at it like this: once there's solids in the system, the poo's start smelling worse. Me personally I want to keep that lovely breastfed-only poo around for as long as possible ;) :laughing:

[misskittyfantastico]

I agree with queenie...I waited until 6 months with my DD even though she was wanting my food.
Kept things simpler and nicer smelling for longer.

[Mum&bubs]

I started Summer on solids at 4 & a half months. Just the tinyest bit on the spoon :thumbsup:

[mel04]

My DD is 6 and a half months now and i still haven't started her on anything.
Starting them early will increase their chance of allergies, eczema, asthma, and can cause digestive problems. Not worth the risk.
Besides, it is sooo much easier to just pull out a bottle/boob then feed them solids! lol It's messy and takes a long time.
My DD is still gaining weight (a little too much!) and still sleeps through, so i'm going to wait a bit longer. Then by time i do start it will be much easier as they won't have the tongue reflex by then.

[Kari_Adel]

Hi Lin,

Congrats on still breastfeeding. Unfortunately I only made it for six weeks, and bawled my eyes out at the pharmacy counter when it came to purchasing bottles for my greedy son. He was a guts.. feeding every two hours, 24 hours a day and each feed could be up to 20-30mins ON EACH SIDE! So due to sleep deprivation, thrush in nipples from breast pads not coping with incredible supply, milk duct infections.. bleeding and more tears shed by me than the newborn I decided to wave the white flag this time around. But I hope desperately to have better luck next time.

As for introducing solids, from four months of age is recommended. Just make sure you start off with the simplest things ie rice first eg farex as its least likely to cause allergies. Stick to guidelines.. my son was shovelled all sorts of foods by "helpful" nannas and poor Jake ended up with food allergies to wheat, chicken, nuts, beans and more!

So slow and steady.. be basic.. and get advice from many avenues if poss.

All the best.. and I agree with the poo issue - once you've turned that corner you'll wonder why you ever grimaced before!?
:barf:

Kari xo

[jessgray]

i gave my DS solids at 4.5 months. he started to lose intrest in his milk in favour of trying to get what mum and dad had lol once he started soilds he was happy now he tries to steal off our plates lol

[Tristans_Mum]

Hey, i started my son on solids early also as he lost interest in his milk (he was breast fed). He has never been really interested in his milk but is very much into his solids.
Talk to your CHCN maybe? My CHCN said to try him on a little bit of solids at first and see how he went.

[neeky]

hi, i followed the information in a booklet given to me at the hospital, that said no earlier then 4mths but too look for these signs that may give an indication
1. baby can hold head up steady and sit on your lap with support
2. opens mouth when you put a spoon near it
3. can swallow instead of just being able to suck
4. using more energy because of moving around eg rolling etc
5. baby is getting interested in world around them, especially your food

so whe tried him on some baby cereal (can get it for from 4mths of age) and a little fruit stuff ( heinz has from 4mths aswell) and we havent gone back! the health nurse did have a go at me tho, but then my dr said i did the right thing! so its up to you baisically, if u think they are ready for it try a little bit.
just no salt!!!!!! and if you are unsure talk to ur dr/ health professional!
hope that was of some help

[musicmum]

I also agree with queenie!!! I started dd#1 at 5months and she had a really bad reaction and stopped sleeping through. It really played with her digestive system. She was breastfed too! I now have a 4 month old and am definately going to wait!!!! She is happy, and sleeping etc also breastfed!!! Maybe just give her a spoon to play with!!
ME-34
DH-34
DD#1-3
DD#2-4 months 17/3/06

[the_queen]

There's a lot of confusion about what the reccomendations are. The World Health Organisation has reviewed it's reccomendations over the past few years, and now says we should start solids feeding after 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.

From the WHO's Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding: (http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/NUTRITION/global_strategy.htm)

All mothers should have access to skilled support to initiate and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and ensure the timely introduction of adequate and safe complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond.

What the WHO says about complementary feeding (http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/NUTRITION/complementary.htm)


WHO recommends that infants start receiving complementary foods at 6 months of age in addition to breastmilk, initially 2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day, as desired.


Obviously breastfeeding is not for everyone, so the term "exclusive breastfeeding" means breastmilk or a substitute.

[cjb/jbvd]

i fed DS solids from just after 4 months because he wanted them. not all the time, and only small amounts.

there are foods you cna buy for 4 months up from the supermarket.

that said, milk should remain the primary food source for a couple more months.

[the_queen]

There are foods with "4 months" written on it, but that's because the manufacturer hasn't updated it's packaging yet.

[pookiesossige]

I knew a girl who had just left her 4 month old with her mum for a couple of hours only to return to find her little mouth packed full of ice cream. She didn't know how to swallow it down and the sugary mess was dribbling down her face and her granny was in the process of hiding the tub back in the freezer as fast as she could. Apparently the baby was 'interested' in the food and 'ready for it anyway' because she was just on 4 months. My friend was horrified to say the least and shared her feelings with her mum- as she (understandably) drove her from the house in anger! There is a lot of outdated info out there and misguided grans, and we know now that 6 months is the minimum age in which to start tastingsolids. Often ppl think they have to 'be on' solids at this stage... and ice cream is out!!!!

[mum_2_5]

I started all my children on farex at around 3-4 months. I will also be doing it with DS2. When I had the twins it was 4 months that you started them. I know alot of people don't agree but that is just me. Everyone is different.

[jennababe]

if everyone says dont put babies on solids until 6 months.. how come baby food and cereal says from 4 months?:confused:

[the_queen]

There are foods with "4 months" written on it, but that's because the manufacturer hasn't updated it's packaging yet.

:D :thumbsup:

[Lunar]

I think it more so because manufacturers just try to get ppl to buy their products, they don't care really about babies, they care more about the $$$$$.

[the_queen]

Very true emysmum. The sooner you start buying their products, the more money they make off you. If their brand is the first one you try, you're more likely to stick with that brand. If your child enjoys that brand, then you're more likely to recommend it to other mums. It's all about marketing, not much to do with nutrition.

Those Motherly Cubes look good, it's basically just puree'd vege's frozen into cubes, which basically is what a lot of mums do for their bubba's. And the Motherly Cubes are made by an Aussie mum who came up with the idea as a way of working around her young family. (It's not me, BTW :p I read about her in a magazine)

[Lunar]

Very true emysmum. The sooner you start buying their products, the more money they make off you. If their brand is the first one you try, you're more likely to stick with that brand. If your child enjoys that brand, then you're more likely to recommend it to other mums. It's all about marketing, not much to do with nutrition.

Those Motherly Cubes look good, it's basically just puree'd vege's frozen into cubes, which basically is what a lot of mums do for their bubba's. And the Motherly Cubes are made by an Aussie mum who came up with the idea as a way of working around her young family. (It's not me, BTW :p I read about her in a magazine)

She comes from where I live!!!! See some westies ARE smart!:p

I will make ALL my baby food this time:yes: except for the pureed fruit, think it is just cheaper and easier to buy tinned.

[EskimoMumma]

Each to their own. Everyone has their own opinions and advice but only you really know your baby. Speak to your GP/CHN. :o

[KaM]

From about 3 mths I started letting my little girl taste off my finger. .just a tiny dot on her tongue. I was always careful that it was basically plain and stayed away from anything with nuts etc but she loved it. .she would get all cranky cause she wanted more. So at about 3.5 mths I let her have a tiny bit of farex cereal mixed with breastmilk and she had absolutely no problems. . .lol . .It was more an every few days thing. Now I have bought some of the baby food that says from 4 mths (cause she is 4 mths now) and have frozen it into small cubes. I just defrost . .she has a few small mouthfuls and off you go. My doc told me that most start from 4 - 6 mths. To test the waters yourself because every baby is different and your really the best judge. Plus for me . .it was another way of getting her to have new things in her mouth cause that little girl has a hissy fit when you try to give her a bottle. I had a very sore nipple for a while and was worried she wasnt getting enough breast milk so wanted to top her up . .no go .. she even tastes formula and she just cries. even with breast milk in a bottle its still a no go . .oh well . .what can ya do .. heheh