Starting Solids

CincyJen · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 08:20 AM

David took Cam to his 4-month checkup. He's not sure where he is for weight, but for length he's in the 95 percentile. They said he should be eating about 6 oz every 4 hours, which sounds about right to me but David thinks he eats more (he'll take more from a bottle, but hard to tell how much he gets when he nurses)

The doc recommends starting him on cereal. I remember waiting until Megan was closer to 6 months, but now I can't really remember why.

What are the reasons to delay until closer to 6 months? Is it to be sure he's still eating plenty of breastmilk? Are there other reasons? I can't remember now!

(p.s. he's sleeping fine, so we don't need to 'fill up his tummy' for that)
__________________

TIA

ScorpiosThree · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 08:50 AM

Good for you for questioning that! Here is a great resource (my favorite: Kellymom

):

Why Delay Solids?

The WHO says that 6mos is ideal!

CincyJen · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 09:02 AM

Thanks Kara. After I posted this I did some research. I definitely think we should be waiting until 6 mos. Now I just need to convince DH...

mbdiamond · #4 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 04:27 AM

Yeah, I can't BELEIVE the number of uninformed medical professionals out there telling women to start early......there were DOZENS on our June board that started around 4-5 mths....us moms who waited until 6 mths seemed to be in the minority!

mom2tig99Nroo03 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 12:28 PM

yeah- peds are still lacking in solid nutritional infgormaiton- especially when it comes to a breastfed child.

my ds started around 9 months..

and cereal would not be the best "first" food anyways, as it is pretty much just a filler.

if you want somethign healthy, grab a fork and mash up some banana or a baed potato(mixed with a little expressed milk to thin it) or some avocado or sweet potato etc...

all great first foods not likely to be allergenic, and nutritious as well.

and then even when started, breastmilk should still be the primary source of nutrtion for the first year of life. solids are a compliment, not a supplement.

camdensmama · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 02:28 PM

I also plan to wait until 6 mos, but I am surprised by the number of women on my BID board that have started already. Although, I think it's going to be hard as Devin has been eyeing my food for the last week or so!

mom2tig99Nroo03 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2007, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by camdensmama

I also plan to wait until 6 mos, but I am surprised by the number of women on my BID board that have started already. Although, I think it's going to be hard as Devin has been eyeing my food for the last week or so!

you could proabbly hand him a spoon to play with

Noah'sMommy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 06:23 AM

I would wait too... starting too early can really mess up your supply.... baby gets too full on solids. Good luck!