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Fussy Baby? Bring on the Solids and Juice.
Fussy babies eating solids earlier
An early release article in Pediatrics this month tells us that many babies may be introduced to solid food much earlier than doctors recommend — especially if they are perceived by their parents as being fussy.
The report found that, in the families interviewed, 77 percent of infants were fed solid foods at the age of three months, and 25 percent were given juice. The more active and less pleasurable parents rated their babies, the more likely they were to have food and juice in the early months.
Many of these babies were getting solids as young as one month.
We know there’s big debate about feeding solids at four versus six months (with most health organizations saying six is optimal), so is it a problem that so many newborns are being fed solids? The researchers say, yes:
They note that the incidence of U.S. infants and toddlers being overweight has increased by 60 percent in the last 30 years, and having solids earlier in life (and discontinuing breastfeeding) has been linked with higher weight gain.
The researchers say that cultural and socioeconomic factors play in heavily. The population studied was a group of low income black mothers — who are less likely to wait four to six months to give solids.
The finding that fussier babies get solids earlier rings true to me. I think infants with active, “selective” temperaments tend to have all manner of remedies thrown at them (for example, remember the findings that fussy babies get a lot of herbal teas and so forth).
Parents want to do all they can to make their newborns happy and friends, family, and even doctors may suggest they try food earlier, thinking fussy babies are just hungry.
What do you think – does it seem true that more active, uncomfortable, or challenging babies get solids earlier? Is that a problem?
Image: flickr
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9 Comments
Joy commented on May 13 11 at 2:16 pmOr, the babies could be fussier because they are getting solid foods that their digestive systems aren’t designed to accommodate.
Amy commented on May 13 11 at 3:55 pmAh yes it seems this myth has persisted that giving babies solid food will make them less fussy or sleep longer. It’s so easy to believe these myths unless there is more education by doctors, parenting magazines, etc to counteract them. Also I think parents whose babies are fussy want a quick fix and food seems like one; I’ve been there I understand that feeling.
Andrea commented on May 13 11 at 5:37 pmI think there`s no harm in trying at four or five months (all three of mine started reaching for solids at around 5 and half months), and seeing if it helps. If it does, great! If it makes no difference in the fussiness, then I would personally hold off. I watched a friend`s sister `feed`her baby solids at three months, and it was pretty upsetting. She basically had to tilt her back so the food would slide down the baby`s throat, and she kind of cackled the whole time, finding the coughing and choking to be rather amusing. It was pretty terrible. Some people are just plain old stupid. Can`t do anything about it.
trashbreakfast commented on May 13 11 at 9:35 pmThere are actually pediatricians in my town that have suggested starting food at three months. And this isn’t a little rice cereal for reflux, this is starting vegetables and fruit. Unfortunately there are mothers who don’t have the resources or the desire to think any differently.
Mbaker commented on May 14 11 at 2:08 amAt our Pediatrican’s suggestion we started solids at a little bit before 4 months. I continued breastfeeding until he was 15 months and then quit because I had to go medication that I couldn’t take while breastfeeding. His doctor suggested it because my baby was sucking me dry and was still hungry afterwards despite me being an excellent producer. The demands he was placing on my body were really wearing me out. He was 2 weeks late and big for his age. Now he’s 4 and tall and skinny because he’s physically active and we feed him a healthy and varied diet. He only eats when he’s hungry and doesn’t overeat.
Amanda commented on May 27 11 at 10:17 amYES. This absolutely rings true for me just based on my personal experience with my two children. Baby #1 was ultrafussy (she’s still kind of high maintenance at 4) and born very small because of IUGR. She had a bad case of reflux so we were recommended to a pediatric GI doctor who suggested that, in addition to the Prevacid, we should start her on rice cereal at 4 months. Even though she was nursing every 2.5 hours, growing fine, and I was producing enough milk, she still lunged for the spoon and gobbled up everything we fed her and FINALLY started to calm down a bit. The PediGI said we should just roll with it and start trying fruits and veggies, so by 6 months she pretty much ate everything. Baby #2 was a comepletely typical baby with no gastro issues. She didn’t lose her tongue thrust until 5.5 months, so we didn’t start solids until then. She almost ate no purees and practically went straight to self feeding soft finger foods. I really believe it’s all about the individual kid. They truely are all different, so know your child and feed them what they are able to eat and want to eat.
laurie commented on Jun 04 11 at 2:15 ami feed my 4 month old baby cereal and he does great with it, in fact he loves it, i haven’t tried any fruits or veggies just yet but i will be soon, and it’s very true, every baby is different
angel commented on Aug 02 11 at 11:42 pmMy first son started baby food at 4 months and we had no issues he’s 7 years old and stands to my shoulder *i’m 5’4* and he’s healthy and active i breast fed until he was 10 months quiting because he found the bottle easier to take instead of me. My 2nd son is 8 months and still nurses every 4 hours and has been on baby food since he was 6 months hes more fussy but i waited because he had stomach issues in the eariler months. He eats everything i give him but he will not be taken away from the breast..it really is up to the kids and the parents but i don’t think i would give baby food under 4 months
Anna commented on Oct 08 11 at 10:29 pmFussy baby? That’s what boobs are for! And yeah, somewhere between 4-6 months, solids too, but pureed pumpkin just don’t have that same wonderful calming effect.
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