Baby Food - San Jose,CA

Why do you want to start you baby on solids? If you really want to do it, start with something like rice cereal and see if she will eat it off of the spoon without pushing her tongue back out. If she's still thrusting her tongue out when give her the rice cereal, she's not ready.

There's no reason to start solids early. Baby's get all the nutrients and calories they need from breastmilk (or formula) at this age. Plus once you start solids, their poop starts to get stinky like regular person poop.

Yes, three months is too early...even 4 months is too early. The pediatrician will advise you when to start...they usually recommend starting at 6 months.

Yes - most pediatricians recommend waiting until 6 months. Their digestive tracts are more fully functional then.

Yes, it is too soon, unless your pediatrician says otherwise. Talk to them FIRST.

The common guideline now is that you should wait until 4-6 mos, with most people saying 6. It isn't about allergies- they did think that for a while because allergies have gotten so bad, but they don't say that now. The reason to wait is that their digestive system isn't fully formed yet, and it can cause digestive problems later in life. It can cause obesity and other issues. And their bodies need the nutrients found in breast milk or formula first and foremost at this age. You should really ask your pediatrician for info about feeding and nutrition at the 4 month checkup before doing anything. They probably were already planning on giving you the info at that point, that is when our doctor gave us a lot of helpful information about it.

I had twin boys who where born at 30 weeks. They were (and are) our first children. I did everything by the book. Everything I have read, and every dr. I have talked to, say wait as long as you can...6 months is a great time...by that time it is easier for their system to digest "anything" and they are less likely to have allergies to foods.
Hope this helps :)

I strongly disagree with giving food to babies this young. Breast milk and/or formula is all they should have until 6 months. After that, you can start to gradually introduce foods. I started my daughter with bananas mashed with breast milk, then introduced organic rice cereal and oats. I made ALL of her food myself. It is SO EASY. Just get the vegetables and fruit that you normally buy for yourself, cook them with a little water or steam and put them in the blender or food processor until smooth. I used to make them from organic fruits and vegetables from the local coop. (except carrots which are not recommended). Cheap and easy. My daughter is now three years old. She still prefers fruit and veggies to potato fries.

I would say 4 months. I actually started my son at 3 1/2 months. He was showing all the signs of wanting and ready to eat solid foods. My doctor when we went in to his 4 month check up was very happy that I was giving him solids. He said that when you start feeding babies early they are less likely to show resistance to foods later on in life (eg. cows milk -like when mom's are begging for help when they are weening BM or formula) BUT!!! It's all up to your baby if he/she is ready. Look for the signs of:
* Head control. Your baby needs to be able to keep his head in a steady, upright position.
* Losing the "extrusion reflex." To keep solid food in his mouth and then swallow it, your baby needs to stop using his tongue to push food out of his mouth.
* Sitting well when supported. Even if he's not quite ready for a highchair, your baby needs to be able to sit upright to swallow well.
* Chewing motions. Your baby's mouth and tongue develop in sync with his digestive system. To start solids, he should be able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow. As he learns to swallow efficiently, you may notice less drooling — though if your baby's teething, you might still see a lot of drool.
* Significant weight gain. Most babies are ready to eat solids when they've doubled their birth weight (or weigh about 15 pounds) and are at least 4 months old.
* Growing appetite. He seems hungry — even with eight to ten feedings of breast milk or formula a day.
* Curiosity about what you're eating. Your baby may begin eyeing your bowl of rice or reaching for a forkful of fettuccine as it travels from your plate to your mouth.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc

If you aren't sure, then try some baby rice mixed with milk (formula or BM) and see if there is even a slight interest. If not, try again in a week or two. But I'd suggest to wait till 4 months or closer to because babies tummy's aren't able to digest solids till then.

Most importantly, what did your child's pediatrician have to say? He/she knows the health history of your child and can give you the best advice to suit the needs of your child.

That being said, the general rule of thumb (as recommended by the AAP) is 4-6 months. Consult your child's pediatrician before moving forward.

yes! wait until 4-6 months to avoid allergies and alllow enough time for the infant to develop the proper swallowing ability.

6 months. Although they used to say 4 months.

why do you want to start food? for the first year ..ALL of the baby's nutrition comes from the milk.. the baby food is just practice for eating later.. the baby would be fine with no baby food or cereal for the entire year..

there is no reason to feed a baby this young.

wait until 5 or 6 months..

No, most Dr.s say start at 4 mths. but my kids would have starved to death.

6 mon. We waited until then with our daughter and it was easy as could be, she loves food and no allergies.
More importantly, I urge you to keep your baby rear-facing, the AAP and carseat.org recommend the age of two or longer.... not their first birthday anymore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8
Are you interested in making your own baby food? I found this rewarding and easy to do. It makes feeding your baby his/her first foods a joy. And they love it too.
Look forward to when he/she is 6 mon.... don't rush it.

yes, Pediatricians recommend being exclusively breastfed (or formula) until 6 months of age. I would not rush it. 3 months is too young- babies that age do not have the ability to swallow even baby food that well and really need the calories and nutrients from breast milk, not baby food.

Have you asked your doctor? Most will say it's way too early for baby food, unless he or she has reflux or something. Their tiny systems just aren't ready to digest anything but breastmilk or formula yet.

I don't know exactly what the doctors are saying, but I think a little bit of thin rice cereal would be the best to start with. Just remember when you start a new food (or anything really) to only feed that for a day or two. Then if they have an allergic reaction, you know what it is to.

What's the rush? It's such a nuisance to feed solids and they'll be eating for the rest of their lives. Enjoy this time with the bottle or breast. I don't think the baby's digestive systems are yet ready for solids at this age anyway. I waited until 5.5 months and wish I had waited until 6!

Your baby will show an interrest in food when she is ready. She will watch you eat intently - following your spoon or fork with her eyes, make smacking sounds, drool and get excited when she understands what you're doing.
Food given too soon can cause allergies. I have a lot of food allergies and believe me, it's no fun.

It depends on your situation. I had to introduce solids at about 4 mo because my baby girl rejected bottles. I treied all differnt bottles, sippy cups, etc. We started her on cereal mixed with breastmilk while I was at work. I came home at lunch to nurse her. Otherwise I would say wait just a little bit, they need all the nourishment from milk or formula they can get at this age. You will know your baby is ready when they try to grab at the food you are eating or seem interested in whayt you are eating.

Probably.

I am totally with Lisa O.

Also when you do start feeding solid foods, i would go a whole week with the new food before adding anything else.

K. Z.

Yes way to early...It can cause allergies and stomach problems. What is the hurry?

Yes, I think so. Your baby should be able to sit up on their own and have a strong neck that allows then to completely hold their head up. This is important for swallowing and not choking.

Yes! Wait until at least 4 monthes.

Hi R., health experts usually advice that you should at least start the food from 4 months. If you start too early the baby might have allergies and also their guts is still underdeveloped to handle food. I started my little one on 4 and half months.they say that you can start solids if the baby's weight has doubled, if they are able to sit supported and if they show interest in food, if their head is steady.i would advice that you wait just a little longer.all the best.

This is a question that really should go to your pediatrician, but since you asked here.... my opinion is yes, it is too early. Generally you want to introduce solids between 4-6 months, and then start with very simple foods like rice cereal. Good luck.

you shouldn't start giving your baby solids until 4-6 months of age.

I think so.
I know it takes time but do your research. its very important to know the effects food can have on you babys stomach and digestive system. then you can make an informed decision with your own thoughts and opinion on what you think is right!

I started my son on cereal at 3 months. But only a couple bites a night and very gradually upped it. Then I introduced vegies and fruits at 4 months, which was recommend by my doctor.

Depends on who you ask. Mostly everyone "nowadays" will say you should wait until 4-6 months. However, my mom showed me my baby book and I was eating solid foods at 3 months (and drinking SKIM milk at 2 months!) They say you should wait because of allergies, but I'm just not buying it that feeding them early makes a difference-- either they will be allergic to certain foods or they won't ( I have zero food allergies) and a couple of months doesn't make a difference, in my opinion. The other issue is that their tummies aren't ready to digest solid food yet, but my little body digested just fine, so who knows?