Is 4 months old too early to start my son on rice cereal?

[Noahsmama09]

I'm really in NO rush to start my son on solid foods. But I was wondering at what age to start giving him rice cereal? Some say 4 months and some say to wait until they are 6 months old! Just curious on what would be best. He is already a very healthy weight of 15lbs 4oz. He is in the 75th percentile for his height and weight. So is it really necessary to start solids so early?

[mmom]

What does your Ped day?  I find that everyone says something different.  We started at 4 months, because my LO had horrible reflux and the Ped was hoping that adding cereal would help.  My SIL's Ped had her start early too and her LO didn't have any issues.  But my friend's Ped said to wait longer.  I think it would depend on your Ped and what you want to do.

[Colin Macs Mom]

The WHO states 6 mo so that's what most follow as a general rule, but like PP said it depends on a lot of things. 4 mo is quite early though so you definitely should speak to LO's doctor.

[Noahsmama09]

Thanks:) My sons next dr's appt is in a couple weeks and we will talk to her about it then. Like I said I'm not really in any rush to feed him solids...as he is already quite a big goy as it is! lol!!!

[speechie]

Hi there- I think checking with the MD and also looking to your child to see if he's ready...
We started a bit early at 4 mos because our LO was ready- he was "mooching" off of our foods, eager to try bites from a spoon, and didn't have any aversions.
That being said, some people feel if you start too early you could be at a higher risk for food allergies. So,definitely talk with your MD.
One of my girlfriends has 5 kids and she's done solids anywhere from 5 mos-8 mos- all of her LOs were so different developmentally- it really is individual.

[Mom to M&M]

I definitely like to wait until 6 months or as close to that as possible since the gut doesn't close until 4-6 months (and best to be safe). Of course thing can change with reflux issues, etc. And I don't do any grains until 8-9 months (and then oatmeal) - IMO rice cereal has no real nutritional value and prefer to start with real foods - avocado, banana, sweet potato, egg yolk, etc.

[~*Nicole*~]

Our ped said 4 mos for cereals, 6 for veggies/fruits. We went with that. All say something different. Frustrating.

[Jiinx]

how do you know when your lo would be ready for solids? basically if they're not gaining weight with your milk?
Sarah

[Colin Macs Mom]

LO needs to lose the reflex where they push stuff out of their mouth with their tongue. That generally happens around 6 mo but of course it varies. It has nothing to do with your milk - remember that solids are just for fun and practice until 12 mo and until 12 mo breastmilk/formula should be the main source of nutrition.

[Fiver]

Other signs can include sitting up, being able to hold something the size of a large caterpillar/grub and move it towards their mouth, interest in your food.

Our HVs did a weaning session for us and said that, pre-civilisation, babies would've weaned themselves and to do that they would have had to have the ability to pick up things and move them towards their own mouth.  I guess that's also the theory behind baby led weaning...