How many months can you start your preemie on soft foods

Question

how many months should i wait to feed my preemie baby soft foods (gerber food)

Answer 1

Talk to your doctor, but I would wait until they're about 6 months old, just to be safe.

Answer 2

You normally go by the corrected age with a premie.  So, if a full-term baby starts at 6 months (the usual recommendation), you would wait until baby had reached the 'corrected' age of 6 months with a premie.

(The only other thing to consider is that premies often run low on iron stores earlier than full-term babies, so MAY need outside sources of iron sooner. If baby is formula fed this isn't a concern [commercial formula contains plenty of iron] but if he's breastfed, he may need iron supplements or iron-containing foods a bit earlier.  (Breastmilk contains small amounts of iron, and while the iron is well absorbed, it MAY not be enough for some premies after they are a few months old.)

Answer 3

i would have to say ask your doctor.  there are too many varriables on this then a "full term baby"  your's might just be "preemie" because they were born at 36 weeks but otherwise healthy, but might have major health problems......ask the professional

Answer 4

How old is your baby?  I started my preemie on a cereal/breastmilk combo at about 5 months.  Jarred food I started at 6 months, however my son became very constipated the first few months so I might advise waiting a little bit longer!  No rush on the solids :)

Answer 5

Usually babies start on soft baby food at 6 months, so when your baby is 6 months adjusted age, then you might try, if your baby can sit well with support. When a baby can sit well on their own, they can try very soft mashed up family foods, without lumps.

BUT, if your baby was an early preemie, you may need to wait longer. Early preemies, or preemies who have been on ventilators, sometimes have problems moving the food around their mouth correctly with their tongue. If you find your baby is choking or gagging on a little bit of soft food, then that is the likely problem and you should wait to try soft food again. If it is an ongoing problem, there are specially trained speech therapists who can help with swallowing/feeding therapy, so the child won't fear food and will eat.

Also, it is believed by some doctors (evidence is mixed) that waiting to try certain foods that many are allergic to can perhaps actually stop a baby from becoming allergic to that food. Since early preemies tend to be more sensitive to allergens, it might be a good idea to wait to try those foods.

Answer 6

It depends on how early they were born. My son was almost 3 months early (11 weeks early). His doctor normally starts her patients, if they are ready, on rice cereal or veggies at 4 months. She had me wait until my son was 6 months. You have to remember that if your baby is 6 months, if they were born 3 months early, they are really only 3 months old.