Ideas for Starting Solids

I don't think 4 months old is too young for solids...if the kid is ready.

Given the information you've shared (won't open mouth, cries, spits it out), it doesn't sound like she's ready.

Put the food away and try again in a few weeks.

Don't worry K......I'm in the same boat. My 7 month-old is having a hard time with solids too. I started trying to give her solids about 2 months ago. She has slowly gotten better. The only reason I stressed was because she had a hard time with #2. When she had a spoon of something it would help. Now we changed formula and the #2 problem has been resolved. So, I just occasionaly offer her a jar here and there. She may or may not eat. But I don't let it bother me. I believe when she is ready she will eat.
Good Luck :)

try giving her sweet things like fruits and ceral you can mix the ceral with juice.I know this may be messy but just put a little food on her tray and go for it on her own.

Hi K.! I feel for you because my 1 year old was the exact same way! Every time I would try to give solids it was a battle. It wasn't until he was 7 months old that he began to accept solids. His growth has always been great and I breastfed him through a year. Him not taking solids caused me so much stress, but I just had to wait until he was ready. Your daughter can survive on formula/breast milk alone for quite some time. When she is ready to take them she will. If you try to force them on her it will make eating an unpleasant experience and may cause more issues. With my son I would put him in his feeding chair when we would eat so that he associated the chair with eating, or I would hold him in my lap while I ate. Every week or so I would try to give him solids but I never pushed him to take them until he was ready. Eventually he started taking some (and he hated the spoon at first but would eat food from my finger). Once he was ready he would quickly progress through different foods. Now he's 1 year old and 2 weeks and doesn't refuse a thing. He has loved feeding himself from early on and is very healthy. Hang in there I drove myself nuts at feeding time! Just trust that she will take the food when she's ready. Each child is different and don't expect yours to fall into the doctors "schedule". Good luck!

I realize that you are trying to follow the direction given to you by your doctor. However, I do not feel that your doctor has given you sound advice in this matter. Starting solids earlier than 6 months is debatable at best, but to advise 3 meals by 5 months is unrealistic. At this stage, eating solids is less about nutrition and more about development. Her main source of nutrition should still be from the breast or bottle. Her actions demonstrate that she is not ready to start solids yet. Rather than stressing out about it, perhaps you can consider delaying them a bit longer. If that is not acceptable for you, then I would suggest forgoing traditional "baby food" and experimenting with suitable table foods cut into small pieces. Baked Sweet potatoes, ripe avocados, very ripe peeled pears, ripe bananas, steamed, peeled apples, etc. Avoid anything with skins or hulls such as peas and corn. The food does not need to be pureed, simply cut into small bite size pieces approximately the size of a kernel of corn. If you can mash it between your fingers, the food is soft enough. Just place some food on her tray at mealtimes with the family and let her explore. No stress over whether she actually eats the food or how much food she eats. She will get there eventually.

It sounds like it may be too soon for solids. My doctor told me to start my son on cereal at 5 1/2 months, and gradually increase to other foods when he was taking the cereal with no problems. He eventually was taking fruits and veggies by 6 1/2 months with no problems, and then pasta and meats just before 9 months. We started with rice cereal at dinner, then a bottle. 3-5 days later, added oatmeal for breakfast, then bottle, then bottle for lunch, then rice cereal and bottle at dinner. Then 3-5 days later, added barley cereal for lunch, then bottle. Always food, then bottle. Couple of weeks later we started giving him fruits and veggies with his cereal. I know all doctors are different, but our doctor specifically said to wait until 5 1/2 months to start solids, then he was seen at his 6 month appointment, and the doctor was able to ask us how his feeding was going. It made sense to me, and it really worked. I would wait, and try to introduce again in a week, and then try again in another week if that doesn't work. Pick one meal a day and start with that. Good luck!

I haven't read your responses. This is what my daughter ped. told us. Start her on solid food. When he said that he meant real people food. My daughter didn't start food until she was 7 month old because of vacation and then a death in the family.
So I started her on puffs, I also made her baby food and cereal real pastey, then she would eat it. Why not wait a month or so.
By the time my daughter was 8 months she was eating chicken, I know it sounds crazy but she was. I was a nanny for 15 years and never seen a child respond to baby food like mine did. I showed my friend who was a nanny also, because she didn't believe me. She was amazed by the way my daughter would spit it out. If you have any more questions just email me.
I am happy to tell you more.
Every child is different.
good luck. Try not to stress because they can sense it.
My heart goes out to you.
S.

I'm not going to say much, I agree completely with the last 3 posts. Formula or breastmilk is THE source of nutrition even up to 9 months, we just try to INTRODUCE solids before then. I would just relax and follow your baby's lead. Dr. Sears in the Baby Book has some good suggestions.

I agree with Jennifer. Most peds don't really know that much about infant nutrition. They are trained to deal with problems, not the norm. My boy is 6 months and we have yet to start solids, but will be doing so soon. Every baby is different, but your daughter does not sound like she is ready. Just give it a little time. There is no hurry. Give it a couple weeks and try again. She will want it eventually.

I would keave it alone for a while. Maybe she just isn't ready. Our kids tell us more than we are able to understand sometimes. I would do cereal, if she will take and mix fruit if you can. I wouldn't push it. If she is gaining weight, happy and content, I wouldn't push it. Doctors aren't right about everything. I went with my instincts and let my girls guide me and they are doing great and are healthy and happy. No food problems.pushing her may be setting you up for food issues. Happened to a friend of mine.

What's the hurry? Formula or breastmilk should be her main source of nutrition until she turns 1. Everything she needs to grow and thrive is in her bottle/breast. You do not need to add anything extra to help her develop. Introducing solids is just for trying out new textures, flavors, and practicing to eat off a spoon. Your ped is giving you old advice. The AAP now recommends not introducing solids until 6 months of age. Trying new solids should be fun for her, not filled with tears. If she doesn't want to eat, then just put it away for another time. She has plenty of time to learn and experience new foods. Please read this link from Dr Sears on starting solids. Also, solids (and cereal) should be fed from a spoon and NOT in a bottle.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000.asp

She's not ready! Get a second opinion. I've recently been to our doctors and seen 4 different doctors in that practice...they all told me different things. There's no reason for your baby to be on 3 meals a day by 5 months old unless there's a weight or other medical issue. My daughter didn't even start solids until she was 6 months old and it took her much longer than that before she had 3 meals a day.

One thing, my brother was exclusively breastfed until he was 13 months old. Simply because he just would NOT EAT, or take a bottle. He was fat, smart, funny,, active. He is today a 26 y/o Brut of a man. A happy professional who eats primarily what doesn't eat him first!
Five months is WAY to early to be worried. Stop for a month and try again. Baloney with 3 meals by 5 months. If she can't thrust, she can't. Eating at this age is practice! Neither of my kids ate 3 meals a day until 8 months or so. They are great eaters now at 3 and 15 months. Stop stressing, she senses your angst. Take a break, seriously.
Good Luck!

I'm surprised to hear the doctor said 3 meals a day by 5 months. That may work for some babies, but I highly doubt it works for many. At 4 months I don't think there is a "problem" at all - she simply is not ready. Try once a week or so and she will know when she is ready and will start taking the food. 4 months is much too early to consider not taking solids a problem. Just feed your little angel as you are now, take it one step at a time, and you both will know when she is ready.

I respect you following your doctor's advice. However, most doctors do not get the adequate schooling in their academic courses in nutrition, especially pediatric nutrition. Nutrition is often a one semester elective and with my experience with doctors, they are not qualified to render nutrtion advice unless they have a degree in nutrition or is an RD. (I know one doctor that told their patient to follow the Atkins diet and he was in renal failure...ugh!) As a nutritionist, babies are intuitive eaters, we have to follow their lead. Some weeks they'll eat great while others, they'll turn their noses, but it all balances out in the end. Your baby is telling you she is not ready to eat the solids food and remember, their main source of nutrients comes from formula or breastmilk for the first year of life. Solids is meant to be a supplement to teach the motor skills needed of the jaw/mouth and fine motor skills, pincer grasp, etc. Babies don't eat 3 meals per day until around 9-12m, starting off with one meal per day around 4-6m, then it is a gradual increase. Some great first foods are sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados (which is an excellent source of fat for them...60% of our brain is made up of fat which we don't feed enough to our kids under the age of 2) Let her guide you, she'll let you know when she is ready, each baby is unique and individual to their own needs.

Best Wishes,
J. W. MPH
Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant

Amazing how, even when they are that young, they have so much personality and know exactly what they want :)
You have some good advice here--but if you try it all and nothing works: the key thing is to make sure your child is getting the right vitamins and minerals (they have liquid stuff you can put into the formula). Other than that, just remember that your child will eventually eat solid foods...don't feel like you have to rush. She won't go to kindergarten still on formula ;-)
Good luck!

My guess is that she's just not ready for solids yet. Some kids are ready early, and some are around a year before they show interest. There's no medical reason for why she should have solids right now (though no reason against it.) She'll get plenty of nutrition from formula or breast milk and I'm sure that she'll start showing an interest in your food soon enough. Good luck!

I wanted to ad that even though your doctor's advice is 3 meals a day by 5 months, other doctors have completely different opinions and it's not a one-size-fits-all sort of topic. Your doc isn't wrong, but it's not the only way to go about feeding solids, so don't get too hung up on following what he says by the book. If she's indicating that she's not ready for solids yet, I would follow her lead, as long as she's still taking the bottle or breast.

I would wait until she is 6 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics is conflicted on this topic. One subcommittee recommends not starting until 6 months and the other says between 4 and 6 months. She may just be too young. So give her a month and then start again. When you do start, let her have a spoon as well, so that she can waive it around and sometimes find her mouth and make the rice cereal initially kind of runny, so it isn't so far removed from her milk. It should be made up with your breast milk or formula rather than with water. I might also think about finding a different doctor as 3 meals a day at 4-5 months seems pretty outside the norm for medical advice. good luck.

I know you're following your dr's advice, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months, so maybe you can listen to all those other drs and not worry about the solids right now. I feel that the more you push it, the less she's going to like it. Try again in another week or two. You should follow your baby's schedule, not the doctors!

Had the same problem..I know you do not ant to her it, but we had to wait. My 1st was almost 9 months before she would take baby food and then we had to go to fruits and veggies first.
Good luck

My pediatrician and Dr. Sears and lots of other authorities nowadays do not advocating solids until a baby can feed himself/herself by using the pincer grip (first finger and thumb) to eat table food (not pureed baby food). Breastmilk and formula are all that is necessary until AT LEAST 6 months, if not longer. I know women who breastfed exclusively for 9-10-12 months and had very healthy chubby babies. Babies don't *need* the pureed food that Gerber makes. I didn't know any of this with my first son (he's 8 years old)!

I was very worried that my second son (now 17 months) was not interested in eating solids. He spit out everything I tried. My pediatrician assured me that he was JUST FINE on breastmilk and to wait until he showed interest in other foods--watching me eat, trying to grab my spoon, etc. Babies' digestive systems are not ready for solids until the tongue-thrust reflex stops happening. Even gently sneaking in food when this keeps happening is a kind of force feeding.

My younger son still does not like me to feed him, even just a pinch of my own food. He wants to do it himself! Don't worry. As long as your baby is growing and exhibiting age-appropriate skills, interest in food will come when she is physically ready.

Like some have said, your child is not ready. Just because one doctor (yours) said to have him on 3 meals a day by now doesn't mean your child is developmentally able to yet. Each child is different as you are seeing, as a mother.
If there is some medical reason that you MUST start solids, then I recommend seeking out an Occupational Therapist. You can find one initially through a local hospital in the pediatric unit. They can do an evaluation then can recommend if you need their help and then get together with your pediatrician for a referral back to them for services/therapy.
Otherwise, just keep trying every 5-7 days with simple things like the b-r-a-p diet.

good luck. I'll be with you in your shoes in a month (we're not even starting until 6 months per our pediatrician, who has practiced for 30 years but up with current standards). There are many doctors out there. Seek out one that is evaluating the child you have not the charts or the expectations based on statistics.

Sounds like she's just not ready. At 5 months, she doesn't NEED solids. Actually, the period between 6-12 months should be viewed as a time to experiment with food, with most calories coming from breastmilk (or formula). My suggestion is to back off a bit, and don't make feeding a power struggle. She will eat when she's ready. Many pediatricians don't recommend even introducing any solids until 6 months - they just aren't normally developmentally ready - although there are certainly exceptions to this, like your first child.

Stop trying to give her solids. She is way too young and she is telling you so. Listen to her! La Leche League says to start feeding solids when the kid starts grabbing for your food. I understand that you are bottle feeding and not breast, but this is outstanding advice. BTW: doctors aren't always right. Sometimes they are just telling you what you want to hear.

I agree with what's been written before, but I don't think you should just ignore the advice of your doctor.

Is your baby underweight? In need of special supplementation for some reason? Three meals by 5 months sounds pretty outrageous given that the American Association of Pediatrics doesn't recommend even starting solids until the baby is at least four months old (rec is 4-6 months) and many other sources recommend waiting until 6 months. There must be some reason for it.

I recommend you seek a second opinion from another pediatrician. It definitely sounds like your little one is simply not ready for solids. Mine was the same way at that age. We did start with some limited solids between six and seven months, but it was a long time before she really took to solids. At that stage, I just focused on introducing her to eating with a spoon and tasting different recommended foods, not forcing anything and not expecting her to eat any particular amount.

Again, I don't think you should just go wholesale against medical advice, but you have to be careful because you can get some old fogey docs who have been practicing since back in the day when people force-fed rice cereal in a bottle when the babies were six-to-eight *weeks* old and they either haven't kept up with current recommendations or they just don't want to change their advice.

FWIW, my kid wasn't on three meals of solids until she was 10 months old and she is fine in every way, on target for height, weight, development, etc. I know other babies haven't gotten to three meals until after 1 year.

i know walgreens sells what looks like a bottle but its called a feeding bottle or something like that but its for cereal not formula

make sure you mix cereal with breastmilk or formula

the baby may not be ready though all kids are different even if thats what the dr wants i wouldn't force too much
you may need to wait a month

J.

I can completely understand your concern. I started my son, who is now almost 10 months on solids when he was 4 months old. I didn't have a horrible time with it. However I don't think he was taking much of it in until he was about 5 1/2-6 months old. I am surprised your doctor said to have her on 3 meals by 5 months, most people don't even start solids until 6months. I can't remember exactly but I don't think my son was to 3 meals a day until about 7-8 months. My doctor had us doing 2 meals a day between 5-7 months. However I would follow what your doctor says.
I would keep encouraging solids but don't force them because that may cause you more problems in the long run. Good luck!!

Whenever I used to have questions like this I would call up the pediatrics department of a hospital. There was usually a nice nurse (often moms themselves!) who would answer that same question. The doctor can be wrong. Perhaps it's always been that way while he has been a doctor, but I think if you get some other professional opinion from a hospital you'll feel better. You can also ask yourself this: is she appearing to be in pain? Not sleeping, etc. Just make notes of what else goes on. I think you can also relax if those aren't out of the ordinary and try in a couple more weeks. But if these circumstances are extreme check with the doctor as always.

Your child is too young and your doctor is not helping by saying your baby has to have the three meals a day. Most babies start from four to six monthes old on solids. Another thing don't worry about how much the baby is getting. It is a learning process for your child just keep doing what you are doing slowly. Also put the child in a diaper and let her explore and feed herself. Try putting the formula in a sippy cup that doesn't have one of those non spill valves. This will allow your child to drink the formula at her meal time. If you make it fun it won't be a battle, but it might be messy for awhile. And don't worry your child won't go to college with a bottle! And please do not give your child eggs like someone else recommended, she needs to be 1 year old for eggs.

I think you have gotten some good advice here. I am on baby #4 and have started them all between 4-6months and they've all taken to it slowly. I've also read that they really don't need the solids at 4 months unless they are a bigger baby (I think the number was 16lbs). My youngest is 5.5 months now and was over 16lbs at 4mos and we are slowly introducing them to him. We have had the best luck with thin oatmeal (all my other kids liked more texture but not this one) and sweet potatoes and bananas. Yesterday he took way more than usual and actually ate 2TB cereal and more than half a 1st foods container in one sitting. I don't try more than once a day. He must have been hungry. We gave it to him in the evening and he woke up in the middle of the night hungry (usually sleeps thru) - I could actually hear his tummy grumbling. I think we may be starting another growth spurt. Perhaps you will have better luck introducing them when her appetite naturally increases due to a growth spurt.

i'm surprised that your doc is pushing it given that the american ped. ass'n (or whoever they are) suggest not starting solids till 6 months now anyhow. either way, if i were you i'd stop altogether for a few weeks since it's causing her such distress and try again later. clearly she'll get interested sooner or later and she can get all of the nutrition she needs from breast milk or formula. why put yourself through (or her) through the torture if you don't need to?? just my 2 cetns! good luck!

Has she had cereal in her bottle mixed with formula yet? She should take that. Mix it a little thicker so her sucking/chewing muscles develope more. Then you can try a runny, soft scrambled egg for a while (in the bottle if necessary).

Check out www.kellymom.com specifically the part about delaying solids. Print it out and discuss it with you dr if you want.

K.,
I was told to start at 6 months by my pediatrician so maybe she isn't ready yet. I know you said you were following drs advice, but you know...every baby is different. They all mature at different ages. Some speak and walk early...some don't. Your dr. is giving you a guideline I would imagine if you asked...so maybe stop for a while and then start again.

Good luck and congratulations on your little cutie
J.

Don't worry about starting at four months... I started both my boys at 4 months. I found that using a pacifier after each bite worked well until they got the hang of it.

For God's sake, ask your Doctor WHY she has to have solids at 5 months and why she needs to have 3 meals a day! Most people just listen to statements their doctors make and never ask them the reasons why they are making those statements. Many babies aren't ready for solids until much older and I'd say most are certainly not ready for so many solid meals a day right off the bat. When I started giving my son solids, my doctor said 3x a day, but couldn't give me real reason for why he needed so many. I gave him one and we gradually worked our way up to more times a day as he indicated he was ready (I'd say we didn't get to 3x a day until almost 9 months!) At our next appointment, my doctor couldn't stop talking about how wonderfully my son was growing and said he was right on schedule. Listen to your baby!

I understand you wanting to take your peds advice, but I have found that sometimes you have to take the advice you want and leave the rest. Your dd is clearly not ready for solids yet. I would not push. The American Academy of Pediatrics reccomends starting solids at 6 months. There is really no reason to start solids before then. Some babies aren't even ready at 6 months. I have found it is always best to let baby lead! Solid food is mostly for practice the first year of life anyway. Babies get all their nutrition from breastmilk (or formula).
I really think you are answering your own question because you say she is not interested. If she isn't, don't push her. She will be fine if you follow her lead! Don't let the doctor dictate, YOU are the mother and YOU know BEST :)

Find a new doctor as they are NOT following the AAP guide. Your baby knows best. Your 2 children are different, that's ok.

I started all three of my kids on solids around 6 months at my doctor's recommendation. They were on "three meals" by around 9 months. I believe the American Association of Pediatrics recommends that babies start solids at 6 months.

Your doctor's information is very outdated. Doctors are not the experts on your children. You are. Do some internet research on the affects of early solids. Listen to your baby and your gut first.
My last 2 children we did self feeding. We offered bite size foods for the child to pick up on her own starting around 6 months. Sometimes I would use strips of foods so they could hold it and take bites. Niether of them had much puree, they learned to feed themselves real food. Babies need only breastmilk for the first year and beyond. Solids are for entertainment and practice.

Hi K.,
I think you already know the answer since you've said it here - despite what dr's say babies have a fabulous way of deciding how they're going to do it for themselves. Your daughter sounds like she's making her wishes clear and she is not ready for solids yet. If it helps, my dr said there is no nutritional need for a baby to eat solid food until 12 months. They get everything they need to grow from breatmilk/formula. Feeding them solids before 12 months is just to get them used to the idea. Eventually your daughter will get hungry enough that liquids won't satisfy her and she'll want solids. I'd say listen to what she's telling you and don't push it on her. Otherwise you might end up with a bigger issue to solve.
Best of luck and congratulations!
MC

Even though you can give a 5 month old solids she may still not be ready yet. Every child is different. You can always discuss this with your MD as well. My dtr did not take 3 meals of solids till she was 7 months of age. It takes more coordination of the mouth and toungue for solids and she just may not be there yet.