How early can you start baby rice?

[MyBabyMonkey]

Hi, my baby is 10 weeks old today and for the last three days she done nothing but eat, during the day. She sleeps 6-7 hrs overnight and only has 30 min cat naps, which is usually when I'm nursing her. she is breastfeed.
I noticed she is now drooling which she didn't before and she has been sucking on her hand.
I saw the mother inlaw today who said if she's been hungry, I should start her on baby rice?
What do you think? And what products do you suggest?
Thanks for you help!

[HennyPennyHorror]

No. She's far too small yet OP. 2 and a half months is very, very small yet.

In the past people thought it did them no harm to eat solids before 6 months but in fact, it can mess the lining of their stomach up.

Also In the first six months, your baby has a tongue-thrust reflex that protects him from swallowing anything other than liquids.

When you make foods more liquid by pureeing, mashing or adding liquid, you are tricking the body into letting them past.

Products like baby rice were invented at a time when it was normal...even encouraged, to feed babies at the age of 6 weeks. Processed foods are never as good as fresh.

When your baby is 6 months old, she will be able to manage food properly...to chew it and swallow it...and then you can offer her steamed, mashed vegetables and fruit. No need to buy packets of food because the manufacturers tell you to.

Fresh is always best. Introduce one food at a time and wait to see if there's any reaction. Both mine began on mashed steamed sweet potato. Then ordinary potato...then carrots....moved on to mashed steamed pears...then apples.

[Hallloumi]

10weeks is too young. 17 weeks is NHS minimum recommended age for solids. If you wait until 6 months you can go straight to real food (salt free, no honey)- no need to even mash/puree and no need to give 1 food at a time unless reasons to be worried about allergy already. If you're breast feeding and she feeds more it can take a little while for your supply to increase but it will and that's all she needs right now. If concerned speak to your health visitor.

[RogueV]

To answer your question - 6 months.

The NHS recommendation is not 17 weeks - that is only for special cases under the guidance and care of a paediatrician!

Please don’t give your child baby rice they are way too young and it is a shit food to give.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

The NHS advice is never before 17 weeks and preferably around 6 months. 10 weeks is far far too little.

Your MIL's advice is out of date and against all current research.

Your baby is likely having a growth spurt and is feeding frequently to increase your milk supply. She is sleeping very well overnight which is another reason why there might be more daytime feeds. No need to do anything other than keep feeding on demand.

[troppibambini]

Jesus no!
Ten weeks? That's what they do.
Wean at around six months and don't bother with the baby rice just give food you would like to eat.

[MumUnderTheMoon]

My dd started on spoon feeds at 6 weeks I used baby porridge. She also loved Ella's kitchen pouches they start from 4 months. If she's drooling and chewing her fist that sounds like teething to me.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

All baby food ranges have products that start from 4 months, because it's not illegal for companies to sell them and market them. That does not mean you should start weaning at 4 months, nor that their products are a good first food.

No baby should be given solids of any kind at 6 weeks. It is totally against all guidelines and totally unnecessary, and introduces risks of all sorts of things. The guidance is really clear that it should be never before 17 weeks and ideally around 6 months.

When you do start offering solids, actual fresh food is the best things. Pouches, jars etc are useful as an emergency/one off but aren't meant for every meal time.

[RogueV]

My dd started on spoon feeds at 6 weeks I used baby porridge.

Sorry but surely this is a typo?

[MumUnderTheMoon]

Nope @RogueV not a typo. Thanks for the casual judgement though

[HennyPennyHorror]

I wouldn't say Rogue's comment is judgemental...it's fair! Who feeds their baby at 6 weeks!?? Especially given the research we've got access to.

[MumUnderTheMoon]

I did @HennyPennyHorror she had a miserable time feeding on liquids and so I tried something else. HV was aware and she is now an amazing, tall, healthy almost 12 year old. I refuse to believe I'm the only person to have done this, maybe I'm just the only one who doesn't see an issue with admitting to knowing what my child needed and following my instincts, in-spite of potential MN judgement.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

If a tiny baby isn't feeding well on milk then the sensible thing to do is to seek medical advice from a HCP, a HV or a GP. Because there could be all kinds of underlying issues going on that need investigating.

It is not a good idea to just start them on solids without any other real life medical input.

[HennyPennyHorror]

HV's aren't doctors. From the tales you hear on MN most of them need sacking they're that unprofessional and stupid.

[user1496701154]

BAbes should be at least 6 months before weaning. To prevent choking babe should be sitting unassisted for at least a minute on thier own. Babe needs to of lost all tounge extuersion know as the tounge thrust. Babe should be showing interest in food. Additional babe should be able to pick up objects and bring to mouth. On a side not rice cereal. Just say no to rice cereal it can increase insulin levels. It's 94prxsnt strach and 4
6 percent iron. Iron can be provided by much more foods that are easier to absorb.

Fyi the rice cereal won't help infant sleep