How do you know a baby is ready for solids?

Question

My baby is 2 1/2 months now. I know it will be a while before he's ready, but he's a big baby and my pediatrician said he'll be ready kind of early compared to other kids. I'm going to ask her at his next appt., but I wanted some input from the crowd. At what age did your baby start on solids? What were some of the signs that made you think he/she was ready?

Answer 1

One sign your son may give you will be interest in what you are eating.  My daughter started rice and oatmeal cereal at 4 months.  I started introducing finger foods at 6 months.  (I skipped purees)  But the way I knew my daughter was ready were by three signs: 1 - she showed interest, 2- she could sit unsupported, and 3 - her tongue thrust reflex was gone.  Babies are born with the reflex for their tongue to push anything out of their mouth - this is to avoid chocking at an early age.  Once that reflex is gone your baby is ready to start trying table foods.  I would highly suggest looking into "Baby Led Weaning".  

Answer 2

My baby was almost 5 months old and can sit without support then i started with rice cereal. After some time i gave her very well mashed banana and other things. My doctor told me when your baby can sit that the time to start some thing besides milk. Because of chocking you can't give them very early.

Answer 3

Well when i went to my sons 4 month appt. The nurses (idk the ladies who did the shots, not the dr.) All said OH THE 6 MONTH I was like no hes 4 months lol NOW that has nothing to do with anything, it just goes to show how big my boy is LOL

My son was born 8pounds ANd weighed 16 at the checkup

they say if baby doubles birth weight, holds head..and can turn away if full, opens mouth..as if interested in your food, consumes more than 32oz of formula/breast milk a day and can sit up well.

My sons pedi recommended me starting him on solids because he was doing all of these things and consuming more than 40 oz a day. But the american academy of pediatrics and other reputable organizations say not until 6 months..no matter what.

The pedi said to start on rice cereal...I did research and decided this wasnt very nutritional..I give him about only a 1/2 a tsp, if that, a day.

It was my personal choice to start my son on solids, but honestly..he really only eats about 3 tablespoons of solid food in a day. He still eats his 6oz bottles every 3 hours..and is always given the bottle first.

Answer 4

You can start any time. The only way you will know if he is ready is by trying. By 3 months the babies are usually having cereal at least once a day, by 4 months they are on fruits and vegetables also. Every child care I have worked for and I own my own now, that is the routine we use. Please just make sure you feed from a spoon, even 2 day old babies can eat off of a spoon. Putting food into a bottle is very dangerous and a choking hazard. The cereal should be a little thick, don't follow the box instructions, you should be able to tip the spoon upside down and the cereal slowly slide off, not runny.

Answer 5

the longer you wait to start your child on solids the less chances of GI issues; however, if you have a big baby maybe earlier.  Studies say 6 months I waited till my daughter was 6.5 months and she was staring and moaning at our food when we were eating....your baby will tell/show you when she has interest in food

Answer 6

Around 4 months, but only a little. She loved carrots and sweet potatoe's. Signs of readiness: Smacky of lips, grabbing at your plate, and having to drink more than 10oz of milk in one meal.

Answer 7

the baby will start to show a lot of interest in what your eating and will not be completely satisfies with formula-usually around 6 months

Answer 8

My son started rice and oatmeal at 4 months.  The doctor gave us theokay to slowly add fruits and veggies to the oatmeal as he got used to eating.  He was also a big baby and read earlier then normal children.  I knew he was ready because he kept grabbing my silverwear from me, would mimick me when I eat (chewing) would watch us eat, you'll know when your child is ready.  They get so excited when they start seeing food and watch it very closely.  I have to watch my son because he will steal some of my stuff.

I don't take that "recent studies" c**p to heart because each child is different and the majority that do get food allergies are the ones who have it somewhere in their family tree.  Each child develops differently and if your child is ready earlier then the "average" baby then go for it.  Your doctor knows what she is doing.

Answer 9

My little sister was maybe about 6 months old. But I would consult your pediatrician if your little one has special dietary issues.

My mom said she could tell when Em started draining most of her full bottles and still cried for more. Make sure to start your little one on rice cereal and then progress.

Answer 10

That child is hungry you need to put him on solids.  Signs include him crying more often and not seeming to be full.  Your baby can use solids.