https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:44:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9/page/2#post-2616342 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:23:41 +0000 ALV91711 2616342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started DS at about 5 months with cereal, then fruit and veggies. By about 6.5 months he was eating real food. </p> <p>At his 3 month check up his led said to start him any time after 4 months and for sure by 6. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9/page/2#post-2616285 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 20:05:30 +0000 Mrs D 2616285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did 5 mos with DD1 - mostly because I didnt know any better. It was really challenging...she was not a natural.</p> <p>With DD2 I waited until 6 mos - what a difference. Girlfriend chewed from bite #1. So worth it to wait!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2616279 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 19:57:59 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2616279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: perhaps that is because of the Virgin gut theory. Which may or may not be true. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2616278 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 19:56:02 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2616278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: formula seems so much more nutritious than rice cereal. I just don't get why doctors recommend it! If anything it might make him eat less formula because his tummy will get full. I know you are big on researching and making the right decision for your family so take what I am saying with a grain of salt :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2616277 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 19:54:48 +0000 travellingbee 2616277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started around 5ish months with both. Both were sitting unsupported for a month by then and very interested. Both did very well! We started with purées at 5 months and "normal" food starting at 6 months. Both are great, non-picky eaters.<br /> Eta: With my first the doctor said anytime after 4 months and with this one she never said anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2616043 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 22:46:16 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2616043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: he was 75-85% for weight during his other check ups.. Statistically maybe the ped is right in this case? He isn't showing readiness signs though. We are still waiting on all of our solid food supplies Amazon delivery and didn't start at all this weekend. His bottle before bed tonight was the first time ever he fussed for more formula and ended up eating a whopping 8 oz! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615881 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 08:47:27 +0000 peaches1038 2615881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 6 months. To be honest, I don't really understand why doctors say to start food if babies are underweight. All the first foods are what adults use when they are on a diet specifically because of their low calories! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615867 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 07:26:37 +0000 rockinghorse 2615867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just remembered at our 4 month appointment the ped also said that BF babies need the additional iron in cereal/solids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615861 Sun, 04 Sep 2016 07:14:58 +0000 pachamama 2615861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started small amounts of fruits and vegetables at four and a half months. We didn't do rice cereal, but he eats oatmeal and cream of wheat. He wasn't even sitting up at that time really. At almost 8 months, he eats everything and has had no problem with digesting or allergies or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615796 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 19:49:33 +0000 rockinghorse 2615796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just started DD on oatmeal cereal at 4 months, 1 week. Our ped brought it up at our 4 month appointment, and he said rice cereal, I said purees, and we met at the middle with oatmeal. :silly: He just would like us to do the cereal until she gets the hang of it all, mainly because of the potential mess. He was also saying that the younger you introduce foods, the less likely they will have allergy issues. Anyone else told this?</p> <p>I have actually really been looking forward to starting solids, because, I don't know, it seems like fun introducing new foods and all that jazz. </p> <p>@YogiRunner: We have been feeding her in her infant to toddler rocker chair (that thing has sure come in handy!) or DH holds her while I feed her. No high chair here either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615750 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:41:39 +0000 DesertDreams88 2615750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at 5 months for various reasons:<br /> 1) Sitting with assistance<br /> 2) Interest in our food<br /> 3) Seemed to be more and more hungry<br /> 4) DH &amp; I are both teachers and his 6-month "bday" would have been the first week of school / full-time childcare. We wanted to start earlier than that so we could have more time and see how things went.<br /> 5) I'm really nervous about allergies due to DH's history so I wanted to roll things out really slowly, 1 food for 3-4 days, etc. Thus I wanted to get started a bit earlier bc I knew it would take more time to add things in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615689 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 11:20:05 +0000 BSB 2615689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got the okay at 6 months. (I never asked at the 4 month appt so I have no idea what my dr would say.) I asked about rice cereal, whole wheat cereal, multigrain cereal. Since the babies were not sitting unassisted yet, dr said they might not have the right stomach muscles to digest somethings like multigrain. She suggested rice cereal (single grain) to start. I asked about the arsenic, she said it is no longer a problem. I know aresenic is naturally occurring in rice but a lot of other foods have it arsenic naturally... Like chicken. </p> <p>Anyway, dr said rice cereal first then later multigrain later. We gave both babies the rice cereal at 6.5 months (5 months adjusted). DS loved it. DD did not like it and was not able to keep it in her mouth. We tried DD again at 7.5 months (6 months adjusted) and she like it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615684 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 11:12:33 +0000 lilteacherbee 2615684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5.5 months for both boys </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615683 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 11:11:44 +0000 maddyz 2615683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 months, it was earlier then I thought I would but LO was super interested and really good at sitting up. Our doc suggested it, also partly because he was a really big guy and having him eating sooner was a huge help for me breastfeeding. The kid loves food.</p> <p>We started with mashed fruit and veg and only added rice cereal later to thicken things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615681 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 11:00:20 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2615681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There doesn't seem to be a consensus among pediatricians as to when to start solids. At DD's 4 month appointment her doctor said no solids until 6 months at all. She asked if she was BF or FF before telling us that. I'm not sure why that matters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615673 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 10:18:17 +0000 YogiRunner 2615673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following... LO's 4 month appointment is in 2 weeks and the pediatrician told me we'd talk about introducing rice cereal then. His little friend down the street is only 3 weeks older and has already started. I really have no idea about this stuff... What are pros and cons of starting at 4 mos vs 6, if he should get mashed veggies or cereal, and how to know if he's ready? I also have no high chair yet, oops :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615671 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 10:08:14 +0000 Astro Bee 2615671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: that would really bother me, too. My son has consistently been 40-50% for weight and 90-95% for height his entire life, and with a slightly smaller than average head circumference. Basically, he has the same build as me, my dad, and my brother - tall and slim. None of us are underweight. He was EBF, and also his doctor said that if we were really keen to start after 5 months we could, but it's fine to wait until 6. We waited until 6m5d, and he was a good eater from the start. </p> <p>Anyway, my point is that unless the child isn't maintaining their own specific growth curve, there shouldn't be a cause for concern, or any reason to rush solids. The growth charts that are used were based upon a very small population decades ago, and are guidelines only. Just as there is a range of body shapes in the adult population, there is a range within the juvenile population. 50% is the average; someone has to be below and above it. I'm a scientist, I get passionate about proper statistical analysis! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615613 Sat, 03 Sep 2016 05:22:15 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2615613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I thought her response was a little strange honestly since BF babies stop eating on their own when full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615581 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 23:21:44 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2615581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first we started at 6 months<br /> With LO2, she started at a little over 4 months (puréed avocado was her first food) because she was already showing signs of being ready (sitting up supported, and making noises with her lips whenever she saw us eating, and trying to grab food off my plate etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615550 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:42:57 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2615550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rockinghorse: I've had three babies since 2013 and the solids recommendation has been different with every baby (same doctor.)</p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Strange, my second was underweight and EBF and they pushed us to start solids at five months.</p> <p>We started my first at two weeks before six months. She had had every readiness sign for over a month but at the time the recommendation was "not before sic months." She was so ready it was cruel to withhold any longer.<br /> My second started at just over five months. She had been ready for a while and due to pregnancy my milk supply was doing and her weight gain had stopped. She gained just under two pounds in a week after starting. I have a lot of mama guilt on that one<br /> My third was recommended to start when she was ready after four months. We started around five months. She too was very keen to begin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615541 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 20:21:34 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2615541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rockinghorse: this just happened with us at our 4 month appt today and it's definitely dissappointing. For us LO is 50th percentile for weight, but height and head circ is 95%. The doc said he is underweight and since he's maxing out on formula we have to add solids in order to get him needed calories. LO is EFF at this point, but our doc said we could have delayed solids in this underweight situation til 6 months if he was still BF. She suggested rice cereal, but said veggies or fruits as a first food would be fine. DH wants to go with the cereal because of the carbs. Did your doc give you any clues on the rush to solids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615514 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:43:10 +0000 autumnleaves 2615514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 years ago with LO1, the pediatrician said to start at 6 months. This time,she said we could start at 5 months. Not really sure why the difference both babies were/are EBF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2615499 Fri, 02 Sep 2016 18:11:42 +0000 rockinghorse 2615499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is probably a dumb question, but my pediatrician recommended at our 4 month appointment to start oatmeal cereal. Why is he saying 4 months when so many people are waiting until 6 months? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531909 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 08:18:24 +0000 Mamaof2 2531909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 months with both </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531884 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 08:01:46 +0000 snowjewelz 2531884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A week before 6 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531741 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 03:45:55 +0000 Kemma 2531741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started at around 5.5 months for both kids but we started slow </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531733 Fri, 22 Apr 2016 03:25:40 +0000 Pumuckl 2531733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I waited for signs of readiness (putting food in their mouths etc.) and for both that was around 7 months. It went really quickly from there both were eating family dinners by 9 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531690 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 22:16:51 +0000 kitty 2531690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started a week or two before DS turned 5 months. He was very enthusiastic and although I had intended to wait until 6 months, went with the recommendation from our community nurse and he did great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531688 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 22:10:20 +0000 dolphin 2531688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 months with both </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-solids-9#post-2531684 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 22:03:25 +0000 Jess1483 2531684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 months with DS1. Had so many issues. Food refusal. Weight loss. So much stress. Started at 4 months with LO2. So much better. I know it's really individual, but I know that I missed DS1's window by waiting until 6 months. </p>