Baby's size and "early solids"???Why do people keep *insisting* that my 8 week old (who is somewhat large at 24 inches long and 13 pounds) will need solids early (Many idiots have already "suggested" I give him "at LEAST rice cereal!" now).
What does his size have anything to do with his digestive system?
Is there, in fact, any correlation at all? Is there any evidence that suggests a baby's size is indication that s/he is ready for solids? What about babies that are born big - Do these people suggest they get started on cereal fresh out of the womb?
Two people just yesterday asked me why he's not on cereal yet. The HELL? Am I just missing something here?
I have no idea how much milk he's getting - not in terms of ounces, anyway - because he's breastfed. But he eats at least every two hours or so and produces plenty of soiled diapers. Perhaps the fact that he eats so frequently makes people think he "needs" solids.
But yes, if he was underweight I would be told to give cereal as well. Makes no sense.
In regards to the "hungry baby formula" - no thanks. When my son is hungry, he just gets more breast milk.
Posted by "Obber"
"The HELL? Am I just missing something here?"
No; those are just idiots, nothing to worry about.
"MYTH: Baby's weight has reached a "magic" number
Just because your baby achieves "x" number of pounds, or has doubled birth weight, (or however much your baby weighs) does not mean that she is automatically ready for solids - particularly if she is under 6 months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics/World Health Organization recommendations for starting solids at 6 months or later has no exceptions for babies who weigh more. The research that I've seen on the health benefits of starting solids at 6 months and later holds for all babies, no matter what their weight.
It's the maturity of the digestive tract and baby's developmental readiness that makes the difference, not baby's weight."
MYTH: "Your baby is big so you need to start solids."
Moms might be told to start solids for differing reasons when they have a large baby.
Some are told that since baby is big, they won't be able to produce enough milk to satisfy baby. This is quite untrue - almost all mothers have the ability to produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed twins and even triplets. If you allow your baby to nurse on cue, your body will make enough milk for your baby.
Other moms are told that baby is eating too much, so mom should reduce baby's intake by limiting nursing and/or starting solids. There is absolutely NO evidence that a large breastfed baby will become a large child or adult, and limiting nursing can be quite dangerous for a baby."
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html#myths
edit: I wish people wouldn't post the stuff from babycenter.com here. Babycenter.com is advertising, and its infant feeding "information" is sponsored by Beech-Nut. It is not accurate or objective infant feeding advice.
Posted by wiXet
Don't listen to them.
Our son was a big boy, above the 100th percentile for the first few months, but we still waited until he was 6 months before introducing solids. He didn't starve, he did perfectly fine on breastmilk alone.
Everyone used to comment on the fact that i must of had great breast milk as he was gaining weight so rapidly.
Even now, at 9 months, he isn't a huge fan of solids, still prefers his breastmilk.
In this case...size doesn't matter.
Posted by Pippin
There is no correlation betwen size and digestive maturity and no reason to start solids early.
(You will, however, hear this recommendation from BOTH directions:
1. "He's so big. His milk can't possibly be enough for him now .. he needs cereal to fill him up." or "He's taking too much milk. You need to give him cereal so he doesn't eat so much."
2. "He's so small. He's obviously not getting enough calories from his milk, so you need to add cereal so he'll grow.")
Posted by shante; b
Age: Birth to 4 months
Feeding behavior
• Rooting reflex helps your baby turn toward a nipple to find nourishment
What to feed
• Breast milk or formula ONLY How much per day
• See How to Tell if Your Baby's Getting Enough Breast Milk
• See How to Tell How Much Formula Your Baby Needs
Feeding tip
• Your baby's digestive tract is still developing, which is why solid food is off limits for now.
Age: 4 to 6 months
Signs of readiness for solid food
Your baby probably won't do all these things — they're just clues to watch for.
• Can hold head up
• Sits well in highchair
• Makes chewing motions
• Shows significant weight gain (birth weight has doubled)
• Shows interest in food
• Can close mouth around a spoon
• Can move food from front to back of mouth
• Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
• Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 oz. of formula in a day
• Is teething
What to feed
• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Semi-liquid iron-fortified rice cereal, THEN
• Other grain cereals like oats or barley How much per day
• Begin with about 1 teaspoon dry rice cereal mixed with 4 to 5 teaspoons breast milk or formula (it'll be very runny).
• Gradually thicken consistency and increase to 1 tablespoon dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day.
Feeding tips
• If your baby won't eat the cereal on the first try, offer it again in a few days.
• Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.
Age: 6 to 8 months
Signs of readiness for solid food
• Same as 4 to 6 months
What to feed
• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, oats)
• Pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches)
• Pureed or strained vegetables (avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash, and sweet potato) How much per day
• 3 to 9 tablespoons cereal, in 2 to 3 feedings
• 1 teaspoon fruit, gradually increased to ¼ to ½ cup in 2 to 3 feedings
• 1 teaspoon vegetables, gradually increased to ¼ to ½ cup in 2 to 3 feedings
Feeding tips
• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
• Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.
Age: 8 to 10 months
Signs of readiness for solid and finger foods
• Same as 6 to 8 months, PLUS
• Picks up objects with thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
• Can transfer items from one hand to the other
• Puts everything in his mouth
• Moves jaw in a chewing motion
What to feed
• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
• Small amounts of protein (egg yolk, pureed meats and poultry; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)
• Non-citrus juice (apple or pear) How much per day
• ¼ to 1/3 cup dairy (or ½ oz. cheese)
• ¼ to ½ cup iron-fortified cereal
• ¼ to ½ cup fruit
• ¼ to ½ cup vegetables
• 1/8 to ¼ cup protein foods
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices
Feeding tip
• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
Age: 10 to 12 months
Signs of readiness for additional solid food
• Same as 8 to 10 months, PLUS
• Swallows food more easily
• Has more teeth
• No longer pushes food out with tongue
• Is trying to use a spoon
What to feed
• Breast milk or formula PLUS
• Soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Fruit cut into cubes or strips, or mashed
• Bite-size, soft-cooked vegetables (peas, carrots)
• Combo foods (macaroni and cheese, casseroles)
• Protein (egg yolk, pureed or finely ground meats and poultry, tofu, well-cooked and mashed beans)
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bread or bagels, small pieces of ripe banana, spiral pasta, teething crackers, low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
• Non-citrus juice How much per day
• 1/3 cup dairy (or ½ oz. cheese)
• ¼ to ½ cup iron-fortified cereal
• ¼ to ½ cup fruit
• ¼ to ½ cup vegetables
• 1/8 to ¼ cup combo foods
• 1/8 to ¼ cup protein foods
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices
Feeding tip
• Introduce new foods one at a time, with at least three days in between to make sure your baby's not allergic.
Posted by moogy
size has nothing to do with being ready for solids. keep in mind orginally children lived off of breast milk for almost the entire first year of life. there was no cereal during the middle ages. that being said i did start my son on cereal after his first month and started gerber first foods at four months. i think starting foods is up to the parent. my son needed the cereal to keep him from spitting up as much.
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