When to Start Solids? Best Jogging Stroller?

Our pediatrician recommended rice cereal at 4 months then after a few weeks you can start introducing vegetables first 1 at a time for a week feed the same vegetable to see if allergies develope. My little boy is 5 months and I started rice cereal at 4 months and about two weeks after that started vegetables and he loves it. I puree my vegetables at home, saves money. I buy frozen vegetables and steam them then just stick them in the Magic Bullet and viola! I have a puree. Very easy and inexpensive. I use the jar foods when I am away from home. I think when ever you and your baby are ready you can try starting rice cereal, it won't hurt. Good Luck

As for jogging strollers, we got the Expedition XL from Babies R Us. I didn't care for it too much. It was difficult to steer. But I think most jogging strollers are like that. The front wheels don't turn/rotate on their own, they are set straight, so when you make corners, you need to pivot the stroller and turn the whole thing yourself. Ours also "drifted" while I was running with it which made it more difficult to steer. I'm sure there are better jogging strollers out there though!! Good luck! :-)

-Char

The AAP now recommends delaying solids until 6 months in order to avoid food allergies & intollerances. If food allergies, hay fever, excema or bad allergies run in your family, you should definitely wait. This is what our ped told us and she is really on top of the latest research. We found with our ds, that he wasn't truly ready until 7 months. This is completely normal. He now eats a wide variety of foods and is a good eater. Some babes are ready earlier. It just depends. Also, you don't have to start with rice cereal or grains. There is mounting evidence that the introduction of grains before 1 yr also can contribute to allergies and intollerances. My ds hated rice cereal. You could start with mashed banana, sweet potato or avocado. Also, it doesn't matter what food you start with (veg vs fruit). I know some said that you had to start with a veg, but that's really not true either.

Your baby knows when he is hungry and needs more. Also, it depends on if you breastfeed or bottlefeed. I breastfed exclusively and my daughter didn't want anything to do with solids until about 5 1/2 months. My doc said it is common for breastfed babies to start solids later than bottlefed. A friends baby (who was bottle and breastfed) started right at 4 months...and hasn't stopped! Little piggy! :) Some signs my daughter gave were:

-demanding to eat more often and not being fully satisfied after feeding
-an increased interest in our food (staring, grabbing, opening her mouth if we pretended we were going to give her some (aren't we mean?? yeah right!:)), etc)
-sitting well (in a highchair) without my help....she couldn't sit for long without support if on the floor or in her bed but she was fine in a Bumbo chair, stroller or highchair
-doctors say they are ready when they quit pushing things forward and out with their tongues....but my thoughts are the only way to know that is if they try food!! :)

I really believe if you just follow cues from your baby, you will know. Don't force it.....they grow up so fast anyway! :)

Hi Dawn,

I know you'll love getting to be at home with your son! It's a huge decision to make, giving up the second income. You will be amazed at the ways you'll discover to save money and make it work. I've been home with my daughter for 3 years now - never thought we'd be able to swing it, but it's going great and I love every day!

I think most babies start cereal around four months. My daughter tired it and didn't like it, so we waited. By six months she was ready. I would encourage you to use organic foods as much as possible for your son. I know they cost a bit more, but the peace of mind you'll have knowing you are giving your child the best start possible will be worth it. Earth's Best is a great brand and you can get coupons from their website.

Here is a link with guides to shopping at consigment stores and a list of some consignment stores in the Dallas area.

http://www.dallaschild.com/featuredetail.asp?ContentID=613

If you're at Babys R Us or some other child-oriented retail place, you'll find free copies of child-related magazines. Most of them will having listings of consignment stores. Sometimes the shops will offer coupons. I think they are great places to shop.

There are also some seasonal children's consignment sales that take place in spring and fall. There is one this week, Tuesday and Wednesday in Frisco - not sure if that's at all close to you. You can check out their website at www.threesistersconsignments.com. I have sold my items with them for a couple of years now. Very nice ladies, lots of great stuff.

You can probably google "consignment sales dallas" and find others too. This is the season!

Best of luck...

N.

A better rule of thumb than age is to start once your son has doubled his birth weight and doesn't seem to be getting enough from just formula/breastmilk. My daughter started at 4 months and did great.

We started with rice cereal at 4 months then tried at least 1 week per cereal (barley, mixed grains, etc.) to be sure that there were no reactions. At 6 months we started with the veggies and fruits. If your child is on formula, there is really no hurry to start the rice cereal even at 4 months if you do not feel he is ready. Cereals not only help to add more calories, but they supplement iron which is more important for those babies who are breastfeeding and start to need more iron than breast milk can supply. Formula already supplies the needed amount of iron for ifnats through 12 months. It takes awhile for them to unlearn the suck reflex when something is put in their mouths, so if you have trouble with him pushing all the cereal back out or choking on the cereal constantly, just put it away and try a week later. Your doctor should also guide you on this as well.

Someone told me they really like this one, and the price is good. You can attach the car seat to it, which is an added plus!!

Copy and paste the link:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=257121...

There is also one called "Baby on Board Expedition" that has been getting great reviews.Google that and see what you think.

Also, I think your pediatrician will agree, 6 months is usually when you start solids, in the form of rice cereal at first. I have a 3 month old too! Her name is Harper!!

Good luck! I also put in my notice 2 weeks ago to be a stay at home mom after working for 20 years!! "Yikes", but really happy!!

I think our doctor had us start giving my daughter just the rice cereal at 4 months...some babies are ready then and some aren't and then at 6 months he had us start her on the 1st foods and so on. I think it's really up to you and your baby. If your baby is ready and you feel comfortable with it then giving the rice cereal at 4 months shouldn't be an issue.

Jogging stroller:
I have the Jeep Overland Limited jogging stroller and LOVE it. Here's a link: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=226610...
It is moderately priced (~$170) and has some great bells & whistles, like speakers for your iPod built right in, good sun coverage, a very roomy basket underneath for your stuff, cup holders for you and the baby (with a tray), a spedometer/clock/odometer, and reflectors on the wheels. My son seems quite comfy in it, and I think it is really easy to maneuver once you realize it is like riding a bike (you lean into the turn) and not like toodling around with a regular stroller. This isn't one for taking to the stores, etc., since the front wheel doesn't swivel -- it really is for running/walking, not for looking like you run/walk. :)