I'm sure we all know the WHO, the AAP, and now Health Canada all recomend waiting until 6 mo of age before giving any solids (including cereal) to all babies. I was just curious to see what the oppinions on this forum are; you don't need to post if you don't feel like it, you can just vote on the poll.

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I just wanted to add that this is in no way connected to my own decision of solids introduction, I am simply curious. My baby, who is 5 mo, has been eating small amounts of solids daily since he was 4 mo, but I do not beleive this is the best choice for all or even most babies. I believe most babies are probably ready for solids between 5 and 7 mo.

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6 mo exactly due to risk of alergies bfr and need of iron after.

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My kids all started to eat between 8days-1 month. My doctors told me it was fine since I have tons of milk and feeding on demands they would all want toeat every 15 minutes. They are all well I do believe it depends on each baby though

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I think that was very irresponsible of your DR to tell you that was fine. I understand your children are fine after the fact and that's great, but adding solids that soon does raise the chance of problems in baby w/ food allergies and immature gut. A DR who is a member of the AAP, should at least reccomend their guidelines to their patients.

I voted 6-7 mos, anytime the baby is ready after 6 mos, is when you should start solids. I waited longer to start this time than I did w/ AJ and it made a world of difference. Evan would eat a whole 4ozs from the get go instead of not even fininshing a 2.5oz jar every 3 days like w/ AJ.

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me-28 DH-34
Adam Jospeh Jr. (AJ) born 5/27/03 via surprise c/s

Ilana Gracellen born 11/3/06 via
Baby 'O' around Valentine's Day 2009

Host of CS's Food Allergies board (click here)

Former host of EP's VBAC board (click here)

I agree. Saying that solids are ok for any baby under 3 mo at the most extreme of the very least is GROSLY irresponsible. I do not belive that any baby is truly ready for solids until he or she is at LEAST 4 mo and most aren't ready until they are 5-6 mo. Some aren't even ready at 6 mo. I do not believe solids should ever be forced on a baby who can't choose for him or herself.

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I think 4-5 months is best (except for alergic families) as I think the baby is less opinonated at this age, more ready to accept the food then after say about 8 months. Also this gives lots of time to introduce foods slowly and not feel rushed perhapes to get the baby eatting quanaties of high iron foods.

I think 4-6 months, depending on the baby. I know that Matt would never have made it to six months on formula alone. He has too much of an appetite. He did very well on solids beginning at 4 months though. And I don't go too much by the theory that feeding before six months can cause stomach problems. I was exclusively breastfed until I was a year and I have all kinds of stomach problems. I have an ulcer and gastrointestinal reflux. I think heredity plays a large part in whether or not you have stomach issues.

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June

*****Co-Host of Born In May 2005 *****

Matthew Rhys April 29, 2005

Caitlin Rhian August 26, 2006

Wow, that is some really irresponsible pediatric advice to Patymomof5.

I normally think that pediatric advice can vary in usefulness and that one shouldn't switch doctors merely over some not-up-to-complete snuff advice now and again (hey, my ped gave me some pretty rotten bf advice, which I promptly ignored) but that is so completely out of the realm of acceptable that I would be looking for a new pediatrician. Immediately. That kind of completely bizarre (and dangerous) advice calls into question the entire credibility of the pediatrician.

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OK im probably gonna get alot of people upset on this one as well..

BUT everyone as there opions and this is mine.

I have 3 older sisters and 8 Neices and Nephews and they were all feed as early as 1 day old to 1 Month Old on Rice Cereal and they are PERFECTLY HEALTHL!!!!!!!

Well I just had my first child in November and I was giving him NOTHING but BREAST for the first 3 weeks and then I had to stop BF becuase he stopped latching and wasn't eating so I had to pump and give him bottles well I got him to lacth again and he still didnt do as great as he did (I didnt have anyone showing me my family lives so far away and the hosiptal didn't show me at all so I was on my own at this point) Well I would nurse him for 45 min and he would do really great on latching on well when he stopped he was still hungry so I tried the breast again and he didn't want Doctor said he was still hungry so give him a bottle and he drank another 2 oz.

SO then I started Bottle feeding because I wasn't producing enough milk for my little one to eat. Well he was eating a 8oz Bottle and wanting more now this is at 3 1/2 weeks old. Doctor said he shouldn't be eating that much so we tried a differnt fomula and he went to 6 oz but still at times wanting more. At this point my doctor said to try putting a little bit of Rice Cereal in one of the afternoon bottles and that helped alot he was now down to 4 oz and sometimes not even eating the 4oz all the time. So I agree it really depends on the BABY.

Forgot to mention my oldest neice is 14 and the youngest is 4 and there all healthy.

Also he never spits anything up. Ive even started spoon feeding him as well and he's doing great at it. Also he already started cutting a tooth as well.

SORRY SO LONG

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For safe swallowing, when baby sits up on his own is when solids should be started. Also, early on they have the tongue thrust reflex, which is where they push things out of their mouth with their tongue. Trent started solids at 4 months old to the day, and he gobbled up every bit he was given on the spoon and caught on to the spoon very quickly, within 3 bites he was opening up his mouth for the spoon and able to slurp it off. But he could also sit up by then (he had a tiny head, it's easier to balance). Rice cereal is hard to be allergic to, it's a very simple grain and gluten free. It is often recommended very early for voracious appetites and refluxers.

I voted for 6-7 months, we'll start Katrina after she's 6 months old. My oldest started at 4 months too. Paty didn't say her ped recommended starting solids, she said he was okay with it. A lot of the time doctors will approve something they know their patients' mothers will do anyway, mostly so that the mom doesn't alienate the doctor from her decisions. It's safer for a ped to know what is going on with his patients, whether he approves or not. And so many people do start cereal in bottles early because it honestly does help with appetite and sleeping. I think you guys are being a little hard on Paty and her doctor. Different things work for different people, and general guidelines don't always fit everyone exactly.

Baby's responsiveness when being offered the spoon is the best indication of whether or not they are ready for solids. I don't like the idea of putting cereal in bottles at all, but it does help a lot of babies, and if there's no history of familial food allergies, it shouldn't be slandered so badly.

IMO, anyway.

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I agree that no one should give Paty a hard time. I mean my little one is in not even 2 months old and he has had the following Rice Cereal, Green Beans, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Bannana's, and just got Pears. He's doing great not having any problems and not gaining to much weight he's only 11lbs 7oz. I have even gave him a small taste of some mashed potatoes.


My Doctor has not TOLD me NOT to give him any of the following stuff and I will continue and in fact he goes for his 2 months shots on Tuesday and I dont mind telling the doctor that I feeding my son. Its better then him eating 8oz's of Bottle and still being hungry. He will eat everything and not SPIT up at all and he has been to the doctors a few times and they say he is just fine to CONTINUE doing what im doing that he is a HEATLY BABY. NOT OVER WEIGHT and NOT UNDER WEIGHT

I mean my cousin's baby is 6 months old and he is only at 13lbs which is WAY TO SMALL he looks youger then my little boy in all ways. They have followed everything by the book only feed on scheulde only feed so many oz no more. IN 5 hrs my little one had a 4 oz bottle a 2oz bottle and baby food and there's only had 1 bottle at this point he should be getting baby food BUT guess what NOPE the mother said that he will not eat it for her only for her mom.

WELL like I said its in everyone's on choice when and what to feed there little one and no DOCTOR can tell you when to start and shouldn't tell you when either. NOW it is RECOMENDED when to start but that is all it is nothing more.

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I figure when they can pick up something and stick it in their mouth, then they are ready. Now I noticed that around 5 months DS started grabbing for food and fussing at meal time, and I would give him tastes of stuff but certainly not a lot of food. He tougue thrusted it out anyway. Even now that he is 7 months I only feed him food (avacado) every couple days or so.

Wait a minute, am I hearing you right? You practice AP? I was under the impression that most that do practice AP try to hold off on solids at least until the recommended time, if not longer.

I think it's best to wait 6 months.

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Kora Rose 12/3/05
7 lbs 8 oz
20 inches

My son is 6 mos. old and we are just now starting cereal. So far, not liking it too much. We are going to go slowly. He is breastfeed and I am in no hurry to start him on a bunch of stuff. My doc. said other than cereal, she would not mind him not taking anything else till 9 mos. He is a very healthy chunky baby-19 lbs. 4 oz (breastfeed only). I am going to say 6 mos. on appropriateness of starting solids. I just think it is not a race and just because your baby is of age does not mean forcing the issue. Babies should be ready first by sitting up, being interested in food, etc. Mostly people should listen to their pediatrician because they are over the healthcare of the child.

Emily, mommy 24
Ron, daddy 29
Justice, son 8/5/05



My Website

I voted 6 to 7 but I think that is the earliest. I won't start solids until she seems ready for them as I did with my others. I started DD#1 on rice at around 6 months but she was uninterested for a week or so and then only took rice for a few weeks.

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I have to say that I am a prime example of how early into of solids is a disaster. I have several food allergies. All fruits, nuts, most vegetables, even rice. Most of them didnt start until 12 or 13 years old. I didnt notice any correlation until recently when I was going to start solids with Carter. I told my mom that I wasnt going to start solids until 3-4 months and she said, "what we started you on solids at 3 weeks. applesauce, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes ect ect." Then I read about the allergy thing, so I honestly think, it is why.

Paty, I still can't believe you start your kids sooo early! Yikes.

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Sheridan Mommy to....

Carter Jude born August 23rd, 2005!
1 Year TTC with Clomid, Femara, IUI's
+++HPT with Femara/IUI

I voted 6-7 months, but I think that is the earliest, it can certainly be later. You can't undo exposing them to potential allergies. I also think that the rish for anemia for a breastfed baby is less even after 6 months than a formula fed baby since the iron in breastmilk is so readily absorbed. There are studies that illistrate this. So, I figure why rush?
I introduced my oldest (now 12) to solids the DAY he turned 4 months old. Not only did my milk supply dry up with too rapid introduction of solids, but he is the only one of my kids with allergies. With Bella, I did a lot of research. She started at 7 months and has SLOWLY been increasing since then. I feel that it has been a much better choice.
I realize that all kids are diffierent, but I also realize that there are some similarities. As in, it has been proven that many children who are introduced to solids early have more problems with food allergies, etc.
I also have heard way too many irresponsible things coming from some of these peds to just take everything they say as the best recommendation. *I* am responsible for my child's health, and I will do the research to try to make the best decisions possible.

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I voted from 7-8 monthes. My daughter went from the boob, to steak....Ok, not quite, but she was over 6 monthes when she started any solids, and had no troubles at all with introduction to table foods, Whereas a friend of mine, who kept insisting her son needed to be fed solids at 3 monthes has had a very hard time. He would refuse solids offered, and had a hard time with even baby foods until over a year old... With the new baby I think we will go the same way, no solids at all unitl past 6 monthes, and then go from there. As far as breastfed babys being hungry and needing solids...dd ate....and I mean ate all the time. Some babies follow the schedule of every 3 hours or whatnot...others do not....Personally I fed on demand, and she demanded often and for long stretches, but she was definitely getting enough, even with reflux she never dropped below 50th percentile in weight while she was exclusively breastfed.