New to solids - need help!

[The Vern]

I was at the dr today with my 17 week old dd. He told me to start solids (e.g. rice cereal) but everything I've read says to wait until 6 months.  She is formula fed by the way.  I had decided to wait until 6 months, but now I'm uncertain all of a sudden   Any ideas on how to decide?

Another question:  what would a daily feeding schedule look like when you introduce solids?  Could someone post a suggested template - that would be so helpful, because I really have no idea when to give solids, when to give bottle and how much, etc.

Right now, she takes 4 feedings of 7 oz and 1 feeding of 5 oz, all during the day, no night time feeds.  She weighed 6.3 kg or 13.9 lbs today.

Thanks so much.

[RachelC]

You might find some of these links helpful.  Listen to your lo about starting solids.  DD is the best one.  If you do start, I would keep it at 1 tsp - 1 tbsp a day of cereal perhaps 1 hour after the morning feed.

~Rachel

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=36922.0

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=59512.0

[*Natasha*]

I was at the dr today with my 17 week old dd. He told me to start solids (e.g. rice cereal) but everything I've read says to wait until 6 months. She is formula fed by the way. I had decided to wait until 6 months, but now I'm uncertain all of a sudden Any ideas on how to decide?

What reason did he give to start solids?

Another question: what would a daily feeding schedule look like when you introduce solids? Could someone post a suggested template - that would be so helpful, because I really have no idea when to give solids, when to give bottle and how much, etc.

Right now, she takes 4 feedings of 7 oz and 1 feeding of 5 oz, all during the day, no night time feeds. She weighed 6.3 kg or 13.9 lbs today.

Sounds like your Ds is not on 4hr EASY if he is having 5 feeds a day or does that include a dreamfeed? It is very difficult to do solids when not on a 4hr EASY.

vern what are your activity times? I think it would be pretty hard to do solids without longer activity times. I had decided to wait until 6 months OR my son showed very very good signs he was ready. He had showed the little ones like the tongue reflex, watching me eat but I wanted him to show signs that he NEEDED more intake, night wakings, hungry sooner etc. I felt this was a true sign and worth the risks. I read alot on risks of introducing solids too soon.. at 5.5 months my son starrted to scream hungry an hour after eating... I took this as a real sign and s tarted cereal. I started plain brown rice cereal mixed with breast milk once a day, an hour after the first feed. A few days later he started to scream hungry after his second feed too! I decided to offer cereal on these days as well, but it isnt every day. My son tells me when he wants the second I tell you!!!! At 6 months I started to add different foods but I use one food, not blends... I introduce one every 4 or 5 days.

You give very litte solids and then can increase as they show needs. Honestly if your son is sleepin fine and not demanding more feeds I wouldnt start, but thats me....

Totally agree with everything Stacy has said i beleive that babies will tell you when they are ready for solids mine did.

[The Vern]

The A time is about 2 hours. She is able to go on a 4 hour routine, but I've been trying to cluster feed a bit later in the day so I fit in a 5th feed hoping that she might sleep better through the night (yesterday she ate around 7:15, 11:30, 3:30, 6:15 and 7:45 (7 oz for the first 3 and 5 oz for the last 2).  I know the routine is a bit unorthodox right now but we just got her back from staying with her grandparents for a week and we're working on getting back on track and trying to figure out what will work for her right now.  Her nights vary, last night waking at 2, 4 and 6 going right back to sleep with paci. The night before then, wake at 3:30 and awake babbling for 2 hours, then nap until I woke her at 7. She does not need to eat at night. We're trying to tweak her bedtime and see what will work best.

The dr's reason for starting solids at 4 mos was that her calorie demands will start to outweigh what the formula can provide and to keep her growing she'll need the extra intake.  I even told him everything I've read says to wait until closer to 6 mos, but he would hear none of it. When I got home I double checked with WHO and the Canadian Pediatric Society, and they both say to wait till 6 mos!

I think you're right though, I'm sure she'll give me some signs when she's ready for it and I'll just wait until then probably.

[tylersmommy]

Doctors can vary quite a bit on their recommendations for solids...we saw 2 different doctors for Tyler's 4 mo and 6 mo checkups. The dr at the 4 mo checkup said to wait until 6 mo (which we did), and the dr at the 6 mo checkup exclaimed "Your baby is too big to thrive on breastmilk and formula! Why haven't you started solids yet? You should have started them at 4 mo!" So when it comes to solids, your best bet is to go with your gut unless there's a medical reason to start or wait. You are correct, most health organizations have revised their guidelines to 6 mo, but of course, all babies are different and have different needs. You're the best judge of what your baby needs!

[The Vern]

Thanks so much everyone. I also polled all my mommy-friends and they seem to have started anywhere between 4-6 for various reasons.  I have a follow-up question - when should I start to give her water? I'm wondering with the warmer temperatures approaching if it's ok and if she needs additional fluids other than the formula now?