Should I Feed My 4 Month Old Anything?

I think feeding the baby at 4 months really depends on the baby him/herself. My son was so ready to eat at four months. The books all said that the first feeding will be difficult, you'll be lucky to get a good spoonful into him, etc.. Please, he ate the whole bowl the first time and by five months was onto a bunch of different fruits and veggies. But I understand that some babies really aren't interested, so I think you have to take your cue from that.

As for digestion, I don't think babies digest things fully and you will see that in his poo. Carrots will still look pretty much like carrots. But my boy (8 months now) has been thriving and loves food - all different kinds.

I should also mention that we also started him at 4 months on food because he was drinking so much milk. I breastfeed him, but since I pump I knew that he was getting about 30 oz of milk a day, which was a lot of food and energy for me to produce.

All that to say, personally I found it fun to introduce my LO to food, he loves it and he's still getting lots of breastmilk.

Hi S.,
I haven't read your responses yet, but my answer is a resounding NO. I've got a 5.5 month old, and debated whether to feed her. The AAP does say babies under 6 months do not have fully developed digestive systems. I have Mommy's in my circle of friends who are appalled that I have not given DD rice cereal or food yet. (We tried pears last week and she gagged and spit them out.) I don't want to be an extremist, but I'm going to wait a few more weeks and try again. The best advice I received was from my sister who said when your DD is ready to eat, you'll know, and then try to give her FOOD, a whole food that doesn't have ingredients or a label. Even organic baby food in jars has the food, and then a vitamin additive. I totally agree with her. What's in rice cereal? rice flour, banana flakes, soy oil-lecithin), tocopherols to preserve freshness, and a whole bunch of other big words. (yes, i bought a box then decided against trying it). When DD is ready - and I'm in no hurry now that I tried pears and she didn't like it and couldn't swallow it) -it'll be mashed up bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas and eventually grains and table food, etc. Check out http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/213/feedi... for more natural family ideas. Good luck. Whatever you do, you should follow your heart, your gut, your head and your baby's cues.

Hi S.
Starting at 4 months, I started feeding my daughter rice cereal in the morning, along with lunch (anything Stage 1) and dinner (stage 1 foods).
The doctor also said to begin her on a couple of ounces of juice as well (white grape, pear, or apple - either Gerber or Beech Nut brands). In addition, she continued on 2 bottles of formula a day ( one between lunch and dinner and one before bed).
People ALWAYS have something to say, (including my mother-in-law haha) but in the end, my dad gave me the best advice..... "When you have a baby, 500 people will tell you to do 500 different things. Just say "uh-huh' and listen to the doctor!"
My daughter started that diet and has been fine with it. As a matter of fact, the pediatrician told me that the longer people wait to give a baby food, the larger the risk of a food allergy.
Who knows, but she's doing fine with everything so far thank GOd.
Take care!
A.

My pediatrician told me the same thing - to feed my baby cereal at four months. However, if you read most of the up to date books they are actually suggesting that you wait until closer to the 6 month mark - especially for breast feed babies. I found a new pediatrician who is great. In the end I slowly began introducing cereal at 5 1/2 months. You have to remember that at this point you are only giving the cereal/1st foods so that your child can begin to learn about eating - it's about the experience - not about the nutritional value - that they get from the formula/breast milk. I personally think though that alot of the books often are suggesting that the babies should be eating quicker and more than what my guy is doing (7 1/2 months now).

Some of it is up to the baby too. When I first started with my son at 5 1/2 months he still had the tongue thrust reflex and that can take a while to go away. You never want to force them to eat - eating should be a positive experience. If at any point they are crying, turning away, etc. that's when you need to stop trying and follow there cues.

My doctor said the same thing - at the 4 month check-up to start solid foods and my daughter is doing fine. We actually started rice cereal a week before she was 4 months because she seemed ready. It took her a few tries to get the hang of the spoon but after that she took off and has pretty much liked anything we give her. My doc also said meats were ok by 6 months - poultry 1st. So we tried it when she was almost 7 months and she liked it but it gave her a tummy ache later. She wasn't ready. So I'm waiting till the end of September to try again when she's 8 months. Your baby will tell you if he's ready.

I just cam home from my son's 4 month check up and my pediatrician said to wait until he is 5 months to give him any cereal. Even pediatricians have different opinions about when to start them on solids. I never heard about waiting because their intestines aren't developed but I think you should do whatever makes you more comfortable. I waited until my daugther was 6 months to start feeding her cereal.

Good luck