Too soon for solids?

Hi Ladies, just wondering what your opinions are on the problem I am having with Alyssa. She is almost 6 months old and just this week I decided to start her on solids due to the numerous "signs" of being ready for them..most importantly the fact that she still seemed hungry after the last evening feed when I had run out of milk for the day.

So anyway, it has been 4 days of farex baby rice at lunchtime and feeding times are going fine and uneventful with no problems actually swallowing etc. She is pooing as per usual... In case it is relevant to the problem, her first teeth came through last weekend.

The issue I have is that in the evenings when I usually put her to bed with no problems, she is now wincing in pain and crying as if she has a sore tummy and won't go to bed easily. I don't know if this is the solids going through her or maybe totally unrelated and just because of the teeth?? I don't know but I'm thinking of seeing how she goes if I don't give solids tomorrow.. Anyone have any ideas?

Hey pepsi, it sounds like it could a combination of things -- sore teeth and new tasks for her body to perform (digesting this new stuff). It takes their little systems a wee while to get used to solids, which is why they recommend rice cereal as the first food -- it's bland and easy on the insides. It sounds like you're doing exactly the right thing with the way you're starting solids -- offer them after a milk feed, and only at one meal a day to start. If her wees and poos are okay, it sounds like the sleep issue could be to do with her teeth. Do you give her any paracetamol or Bonjela, teething rings or a cold face cloth to suck on?

It may be that Alyssa's changing her sleep patterns, which it seems that some babies do very often! Emma Rose was a lot like Alyssa -- started solids and got her first teeth at six months, and then changed her sleeping patterns at the same time. What does Alyssa need to go to sleep (white noise, swaddling, rocking, breastfeeding)? Have any of these sleep associations changed?

It might be a good idea to stop the solid feeds for a couple of days, just to see what happens. It may be that she's ready for solids physically, but with the teething, it's just a bit too much for her at the moment. When Emma Rose was going through this, we had to stop and start a couple of times while we dealt with the teething, because she just needed to get over that teething hump before her body could fully concentrate on the solids thing. Those first teeth can be a real pain, excuse the pun!

 

Thanks for your replies so far :) I guess it's always hard to know for sure but your suggestions help!

Her sleep patterns haven't really changed other than it has taken me longer to put her to bed this week. She still sleeps through the night ok. With regards to teething she's not as grumpy during the day as she was before the teeth broke through the gums.

Actually, a light went off in my head when I read your post Kelpa because I actually had made the baby rice quite runny on the first day since I remembered reading it should be like that. Thinking back, she definitely wasn't as hard to put to bed on Monday night. However, my mum made a comment about it being too runny and that I should make it thicker next time so the last couple of days it has been thicker and not runny...(Mum hasn't had babies since 30 years ago so maybe they did it differently then? hehe). Since it has been thicker, she has had a real pained cry before I can get her to sleep.

I will definitely go back to runny tomorrow and see if there is any improvement...If not, then I will stop for a couple of days.. Fingers crossed!

Ooh my poor little baby, I've been making her tummy sore

Funnily enough in some countries, baby rice is NOT a first food - sweet veges and fruit are. you could try that.

We tried to start with baby rice but Erin wouldn't have a bar of it, she much preferred fruits and veg like Toni has mentioned.

yah Zaara never had baby rice either! She had fruit in the morning and Veges at lunch or dinner.

Thanks everyone for your input - and thank you heaps Kelpa for updating on your situation with Blake as it sounds like we are in the same boat at the moment! Plus, your nurse sounds more helpful than mine.. I hope Blakes problem improves :)

Today I made the farex runny and made sure Alyssa had heaps of water as well. I have just finished putting her to bed for the night and unfortunately she had the same sore tummy and crying as the last few nights, but at least it didn't take as long to put her to sleep.

Looks like I'll scrap the farex for now and go with some fruity pears tomorrow as I have tried the farex all week anyway, so will see how she goes with some different food. Fingers crossed!

I know she has cut teeth but maybe the whole lot are coming - Paige used to cut four at once!! Poor thing but was great cause it was over and done with!

Yay, good to hear Alyssa is on the mend and you will be having eaiser evenings!!