What age did you start cereal?

I'm debating on starting cereal with Olivia...either now or wait until she is 6 months. I started with the twins at 6 months, but they weren't ready earlier than that. At 6 months, they were technically only 4.5 months adjusted age.

So, what age did you start with cereal and solids?

Right now, Olivia is SSTN around 12-13 hours, she takes 3 naps a day (a short afternoon, early evening nap and then a long afternoon nap) and is really only awake for about 6-7 hours a day total. It's not like she needs extra calories. She's taking 32-34 oz. of formula a day and is just such a happy baby. I know I need to do it eventually, but Im' leaning towards waiting at least another 2 weeks....so at least at her 6 month appt I can say I at least started it. What's the big rush?

 

I started my two at 4 months. They were ready though and DS loved it. They never ate very much since it's all just practice anyway. To them it was something new and fun. But you're right there's really no rush.

 

Mine start about a month ago at 4 months. They love it. We are taking it slow with trying new foods. So far just rice and oatmeal for cereals and sweet potatoes and squash.

Dianna

 

Although I started cereal by the spoon at 4 months (they were already getting cereal in their bottles due to reflux) I would say, "what's the rush." Take your time. It sounds like she is doing great. Why add the hassle?

 

I felt just like you, what's the rush. We just started two days ago, at almost 6 months. I wasn't noticing that they were left unsatisfied after nursing, and it was only until recently that they began to be able to sit up, also they're just now watching us eat and seem more aware of food. I tried cereal with them once at 5 months and their tongues pushed it right out. This time, they were into it!! The American Pediatrics group recommends 6 months, so don't rush it if you're not feeling the urge anyway

 

We started at 6 months...I hate feeding solids, though (messy, and then once you start you _have_ to feed solids, etc., etc., etc.), so I'm a bit biased My ped said that the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending no solids 'til 6 months, so that's what we did.

 

We started last week. One loves it. The other is just making a mess but having fun.

 

I also followed the AAP recommendation to wait until 6 mo. They don't even have the enzymes to digest anything besides breastmilk/formula before 6 mo at the earliest, so why bother?

 

I tried to start at 4 months but it was a disaster! They weren't ready. I think they actually started eating the cereal a couple of weeks before they were 6 months old. About 5 and a half months.

 

Well, I tried to wait until they were 9 months, but I just couldn't keep up with the feeding! They are breastfed and were feeding about 12 times a day... I wanted to wait until they were 9 months because there is new research that shows that they really don't need solids until then. I did manage to hold off until 7.5 months, but I really needed them to be breastfeeding at least a little less... I will say they are breastfeeding less, but it is still about 6-10 times a day depending on the day!

Basically, there is no rush to start food as long as the baby is growing well and gaining appropriately. If you want to start I would wait until at least 6 months, but feeding is an individual decision and only you can decide what is best for your baby (ies)

 

We started at 4 months. They did not like it at first, so the Ped. told us to put a few tbsp of carrots in it. We did that and they loved it.

 

Ours started right before 6months (about 5 days before), and we started right with veggies, didn't do cereals yet. GL - as someone once told me, its all your own little science experiment!
I don't think mine would have been ready before 6months, so I am glad we waited. When we did introduce foods they LOVED them!

 

6 months. It's not necessary and actually can be hard on their little systems any sooner.

 

Pedi said we could try whenever we and the babies were ready after 4mo. We tried a little after 4 mo. just for fun. Neither really ate any, but they had fun and we got some great pics. We have been trying every 2-3 week since then when we have time and they seem interested. They were a little better, but it was still just a fun activity for them, not for food. This past weekend I fed one of them some cereal just to see if they were getting better/more interested and he was glued to the dish and kept lunging for the spoon anytime I got it anywhere near him. And he actually manged to consume some of it. They are also really picking up their formual intake so I think maybe it's time to start in earnest, now.

 

QUOTE(Stephanie1074 @ Aug 10 2008, 07:11 PM) [snapback]923372[/snapback]
Well, I tried to wait until they were 9 months, but I just couldn't keep up with the feeding! They are breastfed and were feeding about 12 times a day... I wanted to wait until they were 9 months because there is new research that shows that they really don't need solids until then. I did manage to hold off until 7.5 months, but I really needed them to be breastfeeding at least a little less... I will say they are breastfeeding less, but it is still about 6-10 times a day depending on the day!

Basically, there is no rush to start food as long as the baby is growing well and gaining appropriately. If you want to start I would wait until at least 6 months, but feeding is an individual decision and only you can decide what is best for your baby (ies)


Why are they feeding so often at 9 months? mine do 5 times a day and I am READY to go less!

 

My doc said that they could start after 6 months and when their breastmilk intake (we bottlefeed EBM) was approaching 30 oz. They met those criteria at 6 months, but their adjusted age was really only about 4.5 months then. We started with cereal for 3 weeks before starting any veggies or fruit.

 

We tried just after 4 months. One was ready and the other wasn't so we waited a month or so (trying a few times in there). They were 6 months before they were eating enough to amount to anything. We had fun with it, but there's no rush.

 

I tried to wait until the recommended 6 months, but we started around 5 and 1/2 months. My DS was ready but DD really wasn't, so I then waited a couple more weeks to restart with her. Now they both are having cereal and many more things