[Mom0206]

I know my son is young still, but he seems very interested in eating regular foods. He holds his head up very well although still wobbly at times. He is still a long way from sitting up. Is it okay to start him on cereal now or should I wait? The only information on the web says to wait till 4-6 months. He is in no way going without- he breastfeeds and is growing.

[twinzplus3]

I'm sure that someone is going to pop on here and say that they started solids early and it was just fine and nothing I said happened to their baby. . .but there are a lot of really good reasons to delaying starting solids to at least 6 months in a breastfed baby and really, preferably longer. WHO as well as UNICEF and several other organizations in the world suggest starting later, about when a baby is old enough to grab the food off your plate and chew it w/o choking. . .In fact, UNICEF just issued a big 'no mushy baby food' thing. . .

1. Allergies--Although no one is really totally sure how kids end up with severe allergies there does seem to be a correlation between early exposure and highly allergic reactions.

2. Leaky gut. . .Feeding your baby solids too early essentially ruins his intestines.

3. Lack of nutritional value. Breastmilk is a superior food for your baby at this age. It is nutritionally sufficient for about 12 months. . .so there is no need to start solids at this point. But on top of that, if you were giving him solids, even a teaspoon full, that's a teaspoon full less of breastmilk that he'd be getting that he needs. You can actually 'starve' a young infant by feeding him other things besides breastmilk (or formula).

Is he interested in solid foods? Sure. . .and his toes, and his fingers, and your shiny glasses on the table, and the ceiling fan. . .and the list goes on. Babies are naturally inquisitive about everything and he may well be interested in sticking food in his mouth, although I doubt at this age that he has the visual acuity to distinguish and make the connection that the food on your plate goes in your mouth, let alone the motor skills to get the food there. But even if he did, and he was desperately interested. . .at this age. . .you'd do better by him to divert his attention.

So when should you start? Not until at least 6 months for a breastfed baby, and if he wants to nurse longer. . .you can even wait until later. HTH

[pattiewrites]

Babies shouldn't get solids until they are at least six months old and able to sit unassisted. Babies that young really aren't ready for solids. He may just be showing interest in what is going on around him, and not really be needing food.

[Mom0206]

Thanks ladies. I took Charlie to the doctor for his shots and they said that since I am still on the no fat restricted diet and Charlie is really fussy in the afternoons that he needs something. I was pretty much told that either start him on cereal or formula. What I have been doing is bf'ing for about 5 minutes and then pumping 1/2-1 ounce and mixing it with the rice cereal and it seems to be working very well. Now he is acting fuller (before he would eat a lot and appear hungry after feedings). Plus he is a lot calmer and happier. I hope this doesn't cause problems later on though!

[twinzplus3]

I didn't realize you were on a restricted diet.

[ekd61204]

My son's pediatrician told us that we could start offering him cereal at his 4 month appointment a month ago. He had absolutely no interest in it, so we didn't try again until yesterday. He's taking it just fine. We give him a few bites once a day. Supposedly, we'll be allowed to try other foods, but we'll see.

[Alejandros Mommy]

I started Aiden on rice cereal when he was 4 1/2 mnths old...he was reaching and trying to eat our food at the table..so we thought that giving he a bit of something would be good...he did great on it..we only gave him a little bit at a time and gradually increased it through the months...he was still BF and just wanted a bit of something else