Baby rice

12 weeks is a common time for regressions so they can cluster feed to reorganise your milk production in preparation

Definitely too early, their digestive systems aren’t mature enough to handle food until around 6 months, introducing before this can lead to digestive issues later in life. Baby rice also has no nutritional value. It’s normal for breastfed babies to feed often as breastmilk is digested very quickly and it’s also a source of comfort. Is there a particular reason you think he’s always hungry? Can hopefully give further advice if you explain more x

Just no

@Jessica Just reading how a lot of people have got into a routine with feeding and I just can't really do that haha, I wouldn't say he eats more than other babies, just more often. During the night he only wakes up at 2 and 5 for food but during the day he's having shorter feeds and often I didn't know if that should still be the case at 12 weeks... On the baby rice packages sat that can be used from 4 months but I'm not sure if that actually helps :))) xx

Way too early! Giving food too early is really bad as their digestive system is not ready yet and their tummy is still tiny. Also giving food way before 6 months can cause serious food allergies later on. Other than that you should wait until baby can sit up properly and show other signs of readyness. He is probably going through a growth spurt. My son had 1.3L of expressed breastmilk when he was going through a growth spurt at a similar age and he wasn’t satisfied

Babies naturally feed often while they are growing! It is really often when they are little/during growth spurts and theres not enough education around BF in the UK. NHS offers advice on this and contact Health Visitor to ask whatever questions you have. Are you still with the midwife team? They dont need anything other than milk until 6 months old. NHS recommend that unless medically advised to usually due to reflux The baby academy offers free online classes on different topics such as weaning and breastfeeding which could be useful! They also answer common questions I dont work for that company (not advertising it) but I have attended classes which helped on other topics! There may be other free places to take classes! Alternatively, if you need to ask questions about breastfeeding there are many different breastfeeding support charities ect who you could contact as well

I'd talk with your HV or GP - they can explain in good detail while weaning isn't recommended until closer to 6 months x

Nope. Aside from the fact that baby rice is completely unnecessary anyway as it has zero nutritional value, your baby is far too young for anything other than milk as their digestive system is not mature enough to handle it until they are 6 months. Food companies have their profits as their best interest, not your child’s gut health and legally they can advertise food ‘from 4 months’ but this is outdated advice (guidance changed to weaning beginning at 6 months over 20 years ago). There are petitions to get the age changed on food products to 6 months.

Babies this young will want to be fed on demand as it's how they control your milk production and increase it as they grow. 6 months is the earliest you should begin to add anything other than milk as their digestion is too immature before this and you'll set them up for a life time of potential digestive problems.

@Lia yes definitely won't give solids before 6 months but baby rice can be mixed with milk from 4 months , although reading all your advice I won't give any , feels good to know it's normal what I'm going through x

I tried baby rice at 4 months made him so sick so we switched to starting puréed vegetables and then fruit which has gone so much better. Try the Ella’s kitchen purple book for some ideas x

@Elena brilliant, thank you! Xx

@Sabina anything that’s not milk is considered solids.

Baby rice has no nutritional value. Just because the packet says 4 months doesn't mean it's actually good for baby, it just means they want to line their own pockets at the detriment of baby health! Around 6months for solids (2 weeks either side is the general rule of thumb if showing the other signs of readiness) because their gut isn't mature enough for anything other than breastmilk or formula before this. So many adults have digestive issues now and its been attributed to the fact weaning used to be done at 3 or 4 months. Baby rice is considered 'solids' - anything other than breastmilk or formula is. Speak to the health visitors, baby is either cluster feeding to prepare for a growth spurt or leap, or if its been like this for a while there may be underlying issues like oral ties (my baby would 'snack and nap' rather than 'eat and sleep' and she had a posterior tongue tie).

That makes sense, thank you everyone, appreciate all the advice x

@Sabina it’s normal for breastfed babies to still feed little and often at that age. If baby is gaining weight well and having enough wet and dirty nappies you know they are getting enough. If you are unsure about anything maybe pop along to a local breastfeeding support group for advice. There is no law on baby food guidelines so that’s why they can say from 4 months on the label, however the NHS and WHO advise from 6 months

Personally I wouldn’t do it. Baby is going through a growth spurt and wants to eat more. It’s totally normal but exhausting. Putting cereal in a bottle is considered a choking hazard in the US. But it’s an older tradition that some people still do.

4 months is the earliest food companies are legally allowed to advertise food for. But that doesn't mean you should give food then. Breast fed babies do tend to eat more regularly and their feeding habits can change depending on if they're growing, unwell, ect. Studies have been done and they have found children who were weaned too early had more allergies then those who where weaned after 6 months. They also have found that food too early can do permanent damage to the digestive system because it's too immature.

Please don’t, babies digestive system isn’t developed enough and this could cause life long issues. Babies need to meet certain criteria before you can give them food - usually around the 6 month mark https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/how-to-start-weaning-your-baby/