Is rice cereal considered a "solid"?

[twoblacklabs]

Jack is 17 weeks and almost 17 pounds and still waking at least once per night to feed.  We are just transitioning to a 4 hour EASY now. 

I read in Tracy's book that sometimes a baby that big will need solids sooner than the recommended 6 month mark.  I am not in a hurry to introduce them, but I was wondering if trying to add rice cereal to a bottle might be recommended by his pediatrician, and if so, is that considered starting solids or are solids more like baby food in a jar?  He has his 4 month appointment next week!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

First, yes - rice cereal is considered a solid.  Second, PLEASE don't add it to his bottle! It can increase the risk of choking and cause problems with swallowing later on.  Some people thicken milk for reflux, but it should be done under a specialist's supervision. So if your pediatrician recommends this for ANY other reason...well, I'd certainly have something to say to the doctor! :x

About starting solids before 6 months...I'd really really suggest waiting.  Babies just aren't ready much earlier than that - contrary to what a lot of people might tell you.  THere are reasons why all the major health organizations are now recommending waiting until 6 months (risk of digestive problems allergies...). You'll find here that there are MANY moms with really big kids who were able to wait.  Solids don't help babies sleep through the night, and in fact, starting them too early can make them wake more from digestive upset!  If your lo is only waking once a night - that's actually really good. A lot of breastfed babies need an overnight feed for anywhere up to a year (or potentially more).

See how you do with the 4 hr EASY.  If you have more questions about starting solids, let me know - but don't feel pressured into starting them so young - it really isn't necessary! 

[twoblacklabs]

Thank you SO much.  You answered a lot of the questions I had.  I did hear that starting them early can lead to increased potential for developing allergies, and that is a huge concern of mine.  I have always suffered from seasonal allergies (but not since getting pregnant - yeah!) and was allergic to dogs when I was younger - but now we have two dogs (hence my login name!) and I am so worried Jack will end up allergic to them like I was.

The more I read, though, the more research seems to point to the fact that being exposed to an allergin during infancy actually helps build up a resistance, and I'm sure BFing helps as well.

I am fine with the one or two night feedings - nights are sooo much better than they were just a few weeks ago.  I actually feel like a human being again!  It is nice to hear that what he's doing good - its hard not to feel pressure from what seems like so many moms talking about how young their babies were when they started sleeping through the night.

The ped actually did say last visit that Jack would probably not need solids until 6 months, but I didn't know if his current girth might change his mind . 

And no rice cereal in the bottle - GOT IT! 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Anytime!  My friend's ds was about 22 lbs at 6 months, I think (might have actually been more).  She started solids only then and he slept through the night from about 2 months on. :roll: My dd, on the other hand, STILL wakes up once a night! It sounds like your ds is doing great - the nightime sleep will come...when he's ready! Keep up the good work.