Baby Parenting Guide

When should I start my son on baby food?

My son is almost 6 months old but he was born two months early. Should I start him on baby food or treat him like a four month old baby? I will talk with his doctor next week but just want to know what all the experienced Moms out there have to say about it. I've already given him rice and now he's taking some oatmeal each day. He tolerates it but he doesn't love it. Sorry..or experienced DAD's too!

Public Response to When should I start my son on baby food?

1. You can start giving it to him now but start out with first foods and feed him the same thing for a few days before you switch to make sure he isn't allergic to anything.
2. i think it would be fine to give him food now i know moms that gave taste of foods at a week old which is too early but ya ask the dr and see what they say but i believe its fine.
3. As an experienced DAD, yeah, start him out on it. If he's handling rice and oatmeal he should be ok. However, DO NOT give him any baby food with any types of berries at least until he's a year old. The acids in berries will upset his stomach like you wouldn't believe. Sweet potatoes and bananas are great starter baby foods.
4. As in baby jar food that's runny?.. my babies Dr. had me start my son when he was just little over 3 months old. But it all depends on how your child is growing and how healthy they are. I found some good articles to answer more questions for you. http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bnutrition/topics/0,,4rk1,00.html Hope this helps = )
5. Most babies are ready for solids between 6 and 12 months. But look at the baby, not the calendar. Signs of readiness for solids include the ability to sit unsupported, the appearance of teeth, and the development of the "pincer grasp" (when a baby picks up small objects using the thumb and *one* finger). A baby who has none or only one of these signs is *not* ready for solids. One who has 2-3 of them may be.
6. you see what I do is put the baby food in his bottle with milk and let him drink and he enjoys it more than eating it from the spoon
7. My daughter was one month early, I started putting rice cereal in her nighttime bottle around 3 1/2 months, at about 5 months she started eating bananas and other fruits, now she's 6 1/2 months and her pediatrician says I should be feeding her two jars of baby food per day. She doesn't really like to eat just the cereal plain, I always have to add bananas or something to it. I tried feeding her with a spoon at 4 months but she didn't actually catch on, she was always just pushing the food out with her tongue, but if your son is doing good at eating then go for it!
8. He might not like oatmeal if it's too thick. You can add more milk. Start him out (and all babies) on light colored fruits and vegetables. (Baby food, I mean) The darker the veggie, the more fibrous, basically, and those can be rough on little tummies. Try giving him a taste of (baby) apple sauce or something like that. Just try one food, then add another after a while - maybe a few days to a week. And if you feed him straight from the jar, don't keep the leftovers. Their saliva will mix in with it and contaminate it. I used to mix a little of the strained fruit in with my kids' oatmeal and they liked it better that way.
9. i think you could try...it never hurts to try. if he's been eating cereal but not too enthused about it-do you let him have his own spoon, and kinda play in it?? and i know you're no dummy, but do you give him a little of his milk/formula before you attempt to feed him cereal?? these things may calm him down, and the cereal may go much smoother... good luck...
10. no of course treat him like 6 months baby,starting with yoghurt's he'll like it
11. Try to brest feed as long as possible for it has many positive effects on the child but you can already start giving him very mild baby food.
12. Ask your pediatrician. You should start with simple one ingredient meals like mixing boxed baby rice with formula or breastmilk.
13. My doc had me start both of my boys on rice cereal at four months. I don't know for sure with your son, but regardless of what I or anyone else says, I would ask your doctor. He or she is the only one who knows your son's medical needs as well as you do, and would be the best option for you. Good luck.
14. Now feed it to him now and don't worry if it doesn't like the cereal you could always give him fruit for breakfast. My 6yr old wanted nothing to with cereal either so I gave him a jar of fruit. Because you have not given any jared foods yet start him on the beginners for about a month then move him to 6month foods and so 8 a year toddler follow the guidelines closely but I would not worry about him being early 6 months is 6 months unless there were problems with him, but I would just go ahead and start him now
15. He can have baby food now. You are doing good by starting himout with rice then oatmeal, then veggies (green to oranges), and then fruit. I started my kids with cereal at 4 months. He probably won't love it until he gets to the fruits. Keep up the good work!
16. he is 6 months old treat him ,like a 6 month,slowly but gradually give him a little bit at a time til he gets the taste.