Your thoughts on giving solid food to a 17 week old baby?

Question

My baby boy was born 11lbs. He has been exclusively breastfed, but over the last few weeks he has been incessantly hungry and on the breast every 1-2 hours. He has been showing many of the signs of wanting food, and so I gave him a bit of mashed up banana last week. He wolfed it down. Today I mixed a bit of banana with avocado - and he wolfed that down too. He was less impressed with the baby rice I offered him.

I know the WHO recommends babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, and I feel guilty that I have started to give my baby a bit of food (albeit just a few tsps late afternoon). However, I really don't want him having formula milk.

What would you do in my situation? Breastfeed every 1-2 hours (even though I have a 3 year old who is feeling very neglected) and I am totally exhausted, give tiny bits of solid food or a bottle of formula milk in the evening.

Your comments are gratefully accepted.

Answer 1

There is no reason why you cna't continue to breastfeed.  Yes it's recommended to start solids at 6 months, but let's be honest... millions don't and their babies are just fine.

I would avoid giving him the yummy fruits first.  Start him on easy to digest veggies.  You could mix the veggies (and fruits) with the rice cereal to fill his tummy a bit more, so he's not on the boob every 1-2 hours.

You know your baby better than anyone... do what you think is right for him.

Answer 2

Give him food if he's hungry!  You're his mum and you know best.

My daughter is 13 weeks and I am feeding her solids every day, she needs it and i'm here to give her what she needs.

Answer 3

I think you're doing fine. The main concerns with giving solid food too early are 1. baby not being able to eat it ( choking ) or their bodies being able to digest it and 2. obeisity later in life. BUT at 3-4 months most babies start solids. No one says it has to be cereal, it can be fruit and simple veggies. I completly understand your delima, breastfeeding can be exhausting and think what your doing is just fine. I wouldn't stop breastfeeding all together but see no problem in giving solids.  

Answer 4

both of mine were started on solids from 17 weeks, my dd is 3, not overweight, not fussy on any food, no allergies, my ds is 6.5 mths, and eats anything i offer him,  give him small amounts of food if he is happy, just go slowly.

when i was a baby (30 yrs ago) babies were fed from 12 weeks and my mum was told to put rice in my bottle, kids survived then, they will now.

Answer 5

I would consult your doctor before putting him on solid foods.  I don't think they recommend giving babies under 6 months solid food because their stomachs may not be ready to digest it yet. Which is why it's recommended to start with the baby rice because it's easily digested.  But your doctor would be able to tell you if you should or not.  I'd definitely call him/her

Answer 6

A hungry 4 month old is completely normal.  I breastfed my now 11 month old as well, and she always seemed hungry all the time.  I started her on rice cereal (which she didn't like at first as well), but she loved banana's and other mashed up fruit and veggies (like squash).

Every baby is different.  My sister had a breast fed baby who hated food and still hates it at 2 years!

I knew my daughter was ready for solids when she showed an interest when I or my husband was eating.  She would try to grab our spoons and put it in her mouth.  That's a good thing!  That means you have a smart baby who knows what's going on and she wants part of it :).

My mom told me to start with yellow/orange foods like squash, carrots, etc.  Apparently it's easier on the stomach and you don't want to start introducing foods too early no matter what your baby wants!  You could cause them to develop food allergies.  Ask your doctor what foods are acceptable at this stage.  Once you start her on food, formula won't be necessary because she won't be craving your breast every 1-2 hours.  In fact, you will probably enjoy breastfeeding more with your son because he won't be attacking your breast as much. Baby wins and mommy wins!

But again, don't worry.  My daughter was eating chicken nuggets at 6-7 months!

Answer 7

you can start Gerber 1st foods at 4 months, you have to do whats right for YOUR baby, if he's hungry then feed him. he started off big so obviously he will require more food or baby solids somewhat sooner than 6 months