Have they given you the reason for suggesting to start the rice cereal early? Is it just due to the weight or some other reason (ie. reflux)? If it's for weight my ped said (with my dd, who always struggled with weight) to increase weight up to 12 months- offer more bm (or formula for those ff), after 12 months- offer more solids.
You are right in that early food is more for the experience and not for bulking up.
Was is the situation regarding your ds, was he premature, low birth weight, did he lose weight or anything? Reason I ask is that if he was premature- is he 5 months since birth or corrected? Did he have any allergy or intollerance already (ie. MSPI)?
I guess you have to weigh out taking your doctor's advice vs. getting an alternative answer. I can't tell you to offer solids (or not offer), especially since we don't know the backgound and am not a doctor. What I would tell you is that if you are not satisfied with your doctors, then find another one. If it is weight gain you are concerned with and wish to continue bfing then I would look into ways to increase gains by bfing- I'd go on the bfing board and make sure you have a doctor that is supportive. When my dd was a baby she gained very slow and had a milk protein allergy- 2 doctors told me to switch to formula AND give rice cereal at 6-8 weeks of age
, instead I found a better doctor
, continued bfing, started solids at 6 months.
