OT - 5 mo. old eating habits

[Minnie's Pal]

Even though this is my 3rd, I have an age gap between #2 and #3. I've forgotten a lot of this stuff.

For those who have 5 mo. olds, what is their eating routine? Do they eat solids? If so, how often? Just cereal or fruits & veggies too? How much formula are they drinking at a time and how often?

My ped. told us at our last visit, he could begin cereal, then fruits and veggies if he wasn't satisfied with just formula. And I know I only need to introduce one new food at a time (leaving a few days gap between in case of allergies.) And he hasn't seemed satisfied with just milk for about a week now. Last night was the first time he began to actually swallow the food instead of pushing it out of this mouth though.

I know each child is different, I'm just curious. I thought some input from others may help...

 

[CastleCreations]

Boy, it's been a while since mine were that little, but I remember reading that you shouldn't give them solids until they were 6 months old. When I took my son to the Dr. Appointment, I told him that he was drinking about 10 ounces at a time, at least 8 times a day. He said he was definately ready to start eating. I gave him rice cereal mixed with formula, and some applesauce. For breakfast, along with his bottle. I think for lunch I gave him a vegetable, and for dinner a meat. It's nice when they move up the the food with more consistency, because they have those "meals" in a jar, and it's a little easier. As long as they lose that tongue motion, that thrusts all the food out of their mouth, they should be able to eat. Another sign is when they grab your food off of your plate at mealtime..

 

[waltskids]

I have a 6 month old who just started solids. He was fine on formula for the first 6 months and our ped. told us if we could wait until 6 months, that would be fine (she said the AAP recommends it?). Before solids, he was drinking 32 oz of formula a day and now that he is on solids, he only drinks around 24-26 oz. We actually started with fruits and veggies and skipped the cereal since it is not necessary unless you start feedings earlier like at 4 months (from what I have read and what our ped. told us). He is doing great with bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, and we're adding peas. I also wait about 4 days in between trying new foods.

 

[meandtheguys2]

We started at about 6 months, and one food at a time due to some familial allergies.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We utilized the Super Baby Food cookbook and their plans and suggested introduction schedule.

We began introductions at 7-8 months..introduced 1 food at a time with 4 days or more in between...and provided it at least 10 times before "making the call" if it was a keeper or a no go. We utilized the 7-10 month age as a "learning to eat" opportunity and meals were not provided as nutrition--but more for exploration and discovery.

If your baby is formula fed, I believe you would introduce a bit sooner, but I am not familiar with that.

The gerber website might have some suggestions as well...I know I sometimes get mailers from them or beechnut in reference on how to introduce solids.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Rice cereal is a good starter because of the added iron and easy digestability. I started my oldest on cereal at 6 months and she did just fine. My newest I started at 4 months out of her need for more food. I am strictly nursing and the doctor did not want to introduce much formula, so he suggested starting the cereal earlier because of her size. (She's ginormous. 95th % weight and height) She did fine with it. We then started her on simple veggies at about 5 1/2 months with sweet potatos and then carrots. I believe the main thing is that they lose the tongue thrust reflex as that interferes with anything that goes in their mouths. Hope some of this helps!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Gerber has a feeding plan on line:

http://www.gerber.com/starthealthy

That should be a good baseline to help you out

 

[laughinplace199]

I also have 3 children and there's a 5 yr gap between the second and third, so I know what you mean. It's hard to remember things from last week, never mind 5 yrs ago!

DS is 6 months and we just started solids due to his milk and possible soy allergy. He has been eating (sort of) rice cereal. He drools most of it back out, but he does swallow some of it. I tried to give him pears this morning for the first time. He's not a fan so far.

He is on formula and has 5 bottles a day. I put 7 ounces in each bottle, but he seldom finishes all of it. He probably averages 6 or 6 1/2 ounces per bottle.

My pediatrician's office has a great page on their website about starting solids. Here is the link. When my first child was a baby, I shared this info with lots of my friends and they all found it very helpful. I hope you find it helpful also!

http://www.longwoodpeds.com/Solids.html

 

[Minnie's Pal]

I also have 3 children and there's a 5 yr gap between the second and third, so I know what you mean. It's hard to remember things from last week, never mind 5 yrs ago!

I can relate! I have a little over 6 yr gap between #2 & our new/final addition (#3.)

Thks everyone for all the info. The websites were especially helpful. It seems like we're right on track!