Do 2 months old infants eat gerber food? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

monnitascl · 07-22-2006, 06:18 PM

I was wondering if any of you have fed your 2 month infant gerber food. I was eating a banana and my DD kept on looking at what I was eating because she was in my arms, and I decided to take a teeny tiny amount of banana and smash it and put it on her lips and she went crazy, I think she really liked it and for some reason she was calm for about 4hrs (yeah she stays awake that long) I mean no crying or fuzzyness. Has anyone else fed their babies gerber that young, or what's the earliest time you can give them soft food?
Thanks ladies

debating · 07-22-2006, 06:36 PM

I just posted about this earlier, but I'll do it again.

Sitting unassisted is just one way of being sure your baby is ready for solids. The others are a keen interest in what you're eating, mimicking your chewing motions, and most importantly, loss of the tongue thrust reflex. This reflux causes the tongue to move in back to front motion, which is how they massage the areola of your breast to elicit the let down of your milk. It can take as long as 8 months to loos this reflex, though by 6 months most babies are ready to *try* solids. By that time they're able to move the food, with their tongue, from front to back without pushing it out. Trying to force feed an infant with a strong tongue thrust reflux can result in choking, but mostly it's an indication that they're only able to drink, not eat.

Personally, I am choosing to wait until she can self feed and chew her own food. I really don't see the point in transitional foods. Babies don't have teeth for a reason.

As an adult I use my hands to place food in my mouth, then I chew it with my teeth and swallow it. I think not having teeth, and not having the dexterity to self feed at 4-6 months is natures way of telling me my baby should only have milk. And that is fine! Breast milk is MORE then capable of providing a complete and healthy diet for the first year of life. Solids before that are simply for practice.

monnitascl · 07-22-2006, 07:12 PM

I understand what you mean about choking, but what about soft food, like the puree gerber like some pureed fruit. I just figure since she liked the smashed up banana I thought maybe she would like something different from the everyday milk, maybe a tablespoon every other day to avoid habit. What do you think. Oh by the way WOW you really know about babies, are you a Dr. or a Nurse? Thank you for the helpful information, I'll be looking for you when I have questions...lol!

soon2bmommy · 07-22-2006, 08:07 PM

I have to say, I totally agree with North's post. 2 months is deffinitely too young for solids... And pureed food is still considered a solid when talking about baby food. Many peds say 4 months.. I still think that is even too early. My son is getting a tooth.. he can sit for extended periods by himself, and he has lost his tongue thrust... At the age of 4 months (wow I know, his ped was shocked!)... I still will not be starting DS on anything. Formula is not as good as breast milk, but it's better than rice! Maybe around 6 months I'll think about trying some things out.. Plus, he's incredably grabby so I can't eat ANYTHING while holding him anymore.. He's a quick little bugger for being so tiny!

debating · 07-22-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monnitascl

I thought maybe she would like something different from the everyday milk

If you're breastfeeding your milk will change in taste at every feeding, even during a feeding! EVERYTHING you eat influences its colour, taste, and smell. I'm on a modified diet at the moment for some health problems and my milk has changed colour, it's really neat. In fact, studies have shown that by providing breastmilk, exclusively, for the recommended 6 months will actually create a better eater later on because they have been exposed to a wide variety of tastes through your breastmilk.

And it's not so much about choking, but think about it.. they can't chew, they can't pick food up, they can't use a spoon, they can't even sit up!! But what can they do? They can suck and they can swallow. Follow your baby's lead. Plus, at 6 months their digestive tract is much more mature and ready for solid foods. Milk is so easily digested that it allows their digestive system to mature without putting undue stress on it. Solids too early can also result in diarrhea (or constipation) and allergies. It's really best to wait, but I TOTALLY know how you feel. I'm so anxious for DD to start solids. Like Soon2bemommy she is SO grabby. I just know she's going to be a good eater, but still, it's much healthier to wait, so I will.

And nope, not a doctor or nurse. My husband is a doctor, though.