baby food

[babybabymole]

my baby is only 5weeks old and is already on the cow and gate milk for hungrier babies, although this is for hungrier babies, he is still eating between 10 and 11ounces every 2hours!
i tried him on 2 or 3 spoonfuls of liquidised fruit for babies and this has helped fill him, he has been sleeping better and passing stools regulary without any trouble!
is this ok to keep giving him a few spoonfuls?

[boobesque]

No! Sorry, but 17 weeks is the youngest age they should have any solids, before then the gut is not capable of dealing with the food.
If you are concerned then speak to your health visitor as early weaning, especially that early, should only be done under paediatric advice.

[spudqueen]

NO, don't give him any solids yet. It is probably a growth spurt that he is going through. These usually last about a week or so and then they get back to normal. Please, please speak to your health visitor.

[natalie_1982]

I've never had a baby and so I am sure the previous two peeps can answer better than me, but my aunty started her son on solids at about the same age if not younger, and he is now a strapping 6ft2" 18 year old!

I would speak to your health visitor who should know best.

[boobesque]

Yes, but 18 years ago we didn't know the things we do now - my brother was weaned at 7 weeks under paediatric supervision, he has awful allergies and IBS, now known to be linked with early feeding.
Technology allows us to understand things more hence why guidelines change :)

[natalie_1982]

I did say you were probably right and that the poster ought to contact their health visitor.... I merely added my experience!

[boobesque]

Me too :-P

[tracymort]

Ooh no way! Please speak to a professional before you carry on. Babies often have trouble passing stools when formula fed, it's hard for them to digest. I don't know much about formula but the type you have may not be suiting him. Perhaps dairy upsets him. It's not too late to breastfeed either and you won't have that problem anymore.
To correct the earlier poster 17 weeks is also too young, for the past 5 years official advice is that 6 months is the minimum age for solids. It would be a terrible strain on the kidneys and digestive system and lead to all kinds of problems later on. Obesity, allergies, bowel problems...etc
You really need to talk to a health visitor.

[zoi-faye]

my son was always hungry and by the time he was 7 weeks i was putting a few scoops of baby rice into his milk to thicken it up like milkshake.... had to stick a skewer through his teats though to get it through but he loved it and has never had any problems... and at last feed before bed i would disolve a bit of farleys rusk into his milk to make thick shake.... it helped him sleep through till morning with a full tummy...... i know theres all these rules but lets be honest..... it never used to be the case i used to get my advice off my friends granny who was gone 90 had 8 children of her own and she was always dismissing the over cautious actions of these days dont feed them this dont let them sleep that way...... i personally think if he's hungry give him more just make sure its nothing strong and well liquidised... i recomend the baby rice.... hope this helps....

[pingu97]

i have to agree with zoi, my daughter was on rice like that too. i wouldnt however carry on giving tthe fruit it may be too strong for his belly. However i beleive that you should go aon mothers instinct-you know if he needs more than what he's getting, no one knows a baby like their mum, it may be advisable to check it through with a health visitor though.

[nutgoneflake]

Your little one certainly sounds hungry, but it's so so early, and that's a HUGE amount of milk at that age!! Something needs to be looked at by a professional - you MUST see your Health Visitor.

I'm all for a bit of common sense, and there are far too many "guidelines" that take no notice of anything other than the average baby, BUT....I think you need to get a professional opinion on this first xxx

[nutgoneflake]

I meant to put that my two boys were hungry babies too, and they started having baby rice and rusks at 9/10 weeks, but on the advice of my Health Visitor. And as pingu said - not fruit 'til later, and certainly not wheat. Bland but bulky!!

But check first - it's what your HV is for!

[tracymort]

Omg I am so shocked at all this early solids
and rusks...they have more sugar than donuts!

If a baby cannot sit up unaided and still has tongue thrust there is no way they are ready for solids. Don't take risks with your childs health. The guidelines are there with good reason!

[tracymort]

The thing is you see you may think it's all convenient to fill up their tummies as much possible. Make life easier for you but it's no good for them. When you give solids you are replacing a milk feed, milk (well breastmilk really) contains the essential fatty acids the brain is built from. In these early months the brain grows and makes very important s those connections that last forever. That form your child's personality and dictates the shape of their mental and physical wellbeing forever.
So when you give them less milk, you are not feeding their brain. The solids you are giving are inferior carlorifically and nutritionally to milk. It just fills them up with physical bulk, not actually doing any good.
I know it may feel hardwork to keep feeding them (I make the most of it, I love sitting down for long cuddling breastfeeds in those early months) but it will benefit your child forever.

you may get those who "it never did me any harm" but you get smokers who do that who haven't got cancer yet! You just don't know, you need foresight in this job.

[zoi-faye]

i agree with tracymort about your baby needing all the essentials of either breast or formular milk and yes it has all the goodness they need BUT if you have 5 babies and they all eating 7 ounces every few hours but half of them are still hungry then why not top them up with something more substantial... are you trying to say that the lilttle piggies that wont more milk are going to be more intellegent and healthy than the ones that stick to the normal amount.... i wouldn't suggest replacing the milk for something else but top it up with something more substantial if that baby is still hungry....

[carnarvon]

I really wouldnt advise feeding a 5 week old baby. their little tummies really arent ready for solids . You may end up causing him upset stomach.

[boobesque]

Please DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO BABIES BOTTLES thats so dangerous!

I hate 'it never did me any harm' well it did others, and as i said before new advances mean we know more now.

BTW I didn't say you should wean at 17 weeks, but that is the minimum recommended age if weaning is deemed necessary. I dont know many people who can get to 6 months, my daughter was 5.5 months.