can i start introducing baby food to my 3 month old daughter?

[CrYs]

my daughter will be 3 months in a week. i was wondering if i could introduce her to solid food yet?

 

[Elona]

While it is probably better to wait if you can, if she can hold her head up on her own & possibly even lift her head away from the back of the carseat, and seems interested in putting things in her mouth she might be ready for it.
I wouldn't give her anything but rice cereal mixed with formula or breastmilk - very thinly. My cousin's son had severe reflux and was on rice cereal in his formula from his second week.
It really is better to wait though because babies' digestive systems are not that mature at 3 months, and formula and milk do give them all the nutrients and calories they need at this age.
Also some doctors think that giving babies solid foods before 4 months (or some even 6) may increase the risk of allergies developing.
You may want to check with your doctor to get their take on your situation. If you feel your baby is not getting the calories they need you could consider supplementing with formula - or perhaps increasing times between feedings.
I've always waited until at least 4 months, but usually six to introduce solids. My second just couldn't wait that long. He was huuuuungry!!

 

[Ivy has Twin Boys!]

They recommend waiting a month.

Rice cereal likely wouldn't do any damage at 3 months, but some other foods can. For instance veggies contain nitrates which young infants confuse with oxygen and suffocate. Too much protein can cause liver failure in babies under 4 months, so meat can be a problem for them.

There are some foods that are less likely to harm her, but they are also not going to help her either. Rice cereal is one of those foods.

They recommend starting rice cereal or meat for the extra iron esp. for breastfed babies between 4-6 months. This is when babies can start to run into problems with their iron stores being depleted.

 

[???.B?ß? Mü??A???]

I did it at that age because he was showing interest and signs that he was ready for pureed foods. So I bought some of the Rafferty's Garden range of pureed foods and he loved them. Once he got to 5 months I got the Heinz jars which were much better than the Rafferty's Garden range...

if your daughter is showing signs that she wants food then give it to her. My son's pediatrician was happy that we started giving him at 3 months because he said he 'looked ready' and it helps them in the future for when they eat..

good luck

 

[gnsmith1970]

It used to be considered ok to start weaning from 3-4 months but medical research has shown that the digestive systems of babies really aren't developed enough to cope pperly until at least 5 months, preferably 6. For premature babies, this should be calculated from their actual due date not their birthday. Until that time, breast milk or formula is all your baby needs.

 

[HeyLovelies]

The doctors always say wait 6 months but I've had sooo many people tell me just to introduce them at 3 months... although I like the 3 month idea I don't like the idea of their poop smelling horribly bad so I'm ok with the 6 month wait.... lol. It's up to you.

 

[Meg]

i'd wait a month. i didn't start giving my son baby foods until about 4 months. i did start him on some rice cereal at 3 1/2 months. i'd give him a little an hour before it was his bed time to help him sleep a little longer through the night. other parents don't agree with this however other parents aren't dual military and don't work 630-500 every day and i needed my son to sleep a little more soundly through the night. but you are mommy and it is entirely your choice, doctors are going to tell you to wait until 6 months so that their digestive system is better developed. my son did just fine though.