[kemper2.0]

First off, I rarely ever come here anymore and I'm sorry! I miss it SO much and always think about you ladies and you oable LOs. I don't have the internet at my house and posting on my BB is just so much of a hassle, not to mention, who has time anymore?? I feel like no one will remember me anymore and that makes me sad
So, reintroducing myself. I'm Kat. DS is Gideon, born 9/8!
Ok, so onto why I came here: I went to the pedi today for a regular check-up and talked to the dr about G's eating habits. Let me just say that I have a chunker. he was born at 7.14 and at his 2 week check-up weighed over 10 pounds and hasn't stopped growing since. He turned 3 months yesterday and now weighs 18 pounds.
I told our pedi that G eats about once every hour until the afternoon when he will eat for 2.5-3 hours long, non-stop (he's breastfed) and then will continue with his eating once an hour until he goes to sleep (he STTN since 5 weeks). I for one CAN NOT keep feeding him like that. It drains me! When he was 2.5 months I started him on 3oz BM mixed with rice cereal a day. Didn't satisfy him at all and made him constapated. He ate off a spoon like a champ though. So I started him on veggies and fruits. He loves them, does great with them and they've even helped his bm's more consistant. I KNOW it was the right choice for my child. He holds his head up great, can sit in a high chair, opens his mouth for the spoon, shows excitement when he sees food (even mommy's), etc. So I told me pedi that I started him on it and he said that was perfectly fine, gideon was obviously ready for it and why don't I try giving him meat too. Ummmm, I have honestly NEVER heard of giving a 3 month old meat before. That is just so strange for me! Do they even make pureed meat? (Sorry if that's a silly question)...but do they? I'm definitely not ready to give him meat, I don't think. Would you? Why ot why not?

[(Mayhem)]

Yes they do make pureed meat, or you could always make your own. I have never hear of giving meat that earily. I don't know what benefits or disadvantages it could have. Good Luck!

[Momma-J]

Wow! Don't really know what to say. Oh and just so you feel better I remember you.

Meat rubs me the wrong way a bit. Haddyn is my first baby that I have had to give a bottle of formula a day to. She gets about 4-8 oz a day but it has made a huge difference with her being satisfied. My Holden was about 10 months before he would eat any solids so I have a hard time thinking about Haddy eating solids even now...she stills seams like a newborn so meats really throw me.

I would love to see a current pic of Gideon!!

[kemper2.0]

Mamma2Monkeys- I make his own fruits and veggies so I guess I could make his own meat... but definitely not for a long time as I am no where near ready for that! I too don't know the benefits or disadvantages of it, but would love to have others' inputs!

MommaJ- thanks! I remember you too that made me really smile! The thought of giving my infant meat throws me for a loop too. It just seems so strange and canaverous. I'm not really interested in giving him any, I'm just curious to see why any one would! When it comes to food, Gideon just acts so grown up about it. I will put him in his high chair while preparing his food and as soon as he's in there he squeals with delight and starts opening his mouth. He does the same thing when he sees me eating my food as well. I watch a baby 6 days younger than him every day and couldn't imagine her doing that. She just seems so young and floppy, but put her on her tummy and she will lift her entire front half off the floor with her arms (which Gideon isn't even close to doing). I guess it's true that every baby progresses differently. I don't think shee will be ready for food for a few more months at least.

Mamma2Monkeys- I make his own fruits and veggies so I guess I could make his own meat... but definitely not for a long time as I am no where near ready for that! I too don't know the benefits or disadvantages of it, but would love to have others' inputs!

MommaJ- thanks! I remember you too that made me really smile! The thought of giving my infant meat throws me for a loop too. It just seems so strange and canaverous. I'm not really interested in giving him any, I'm just curious to see why any one would! When it comes to food, Gideon just acts so grown up about it. I will put him in his high chair while preparing his food and as soon as he's in there he squeals with delight and starts opening his mouth. He does the same thing when he sees me eating my food as well. I watch a baby 6 days younger than him every day and couldn't imagine her doing that. She just seems so young and floppy, but put her on her tummy and she will lift her entire front half off the floor with her arms (which Gideon isn't even close to doing). I guess it's true that every baby progresses differently. I don't think shee will be ready for food for a few more months at least.

I will try to post an updated picture when I can! Can't on my blackberry, but am dying to show him off!

[WomanInTheMoon]

I remember you too! It's that beautiful wedding pic and my baby has that same binki! lol

I would think the dr is thinking that protein would help make him feel fuller and would give him some extra iron and other minerals. I know I don't feel full on just a salad with no chicken on it. Pureed veggies and fruit would be mostly carbs and some fiber. The protein would keep his blood sugar steadier. Just imo.

I just read an article in Parents that there is no reason to delay meats in babies. Maybe the article would be on their website?

[~SavedbyGrace~]

Your funny, I'm sure everyone remembers you!!

So baby meat is GROSS! I never gave my son any kind of baby meat...it's enough to make a person wanna go vegan. I guess he suggested it maybe help fill him up, but it seems really odd. I guess it wouldn't hurt, since he is eating very well already. I wanna see a pic too!! I totally understand the frustration of getting on JM with your blackberry. The only thing I can do is read jm on my bb, I've tried to post and it's just impossible! Ugh!!

[~Kris~]

I remember you too.

I never gave the jars of just meat-it reminded me of cat food and could not feed that to my kiddos . I did use the meat/veggie combos, but it's mainly veggies.

[Countrymom4]

I made my own meat puree, maybe the protiens in meat would fill him up more. I think the vits and protiens that the meat has to offer could not be a bad thing to start early ??? If my child was ready, ya I would feed meats.

[lanie4]

I always thought baby food meat was yucky too. If you make you own fruit and veggies, you'd probably think that about the meat too.

I think my parents gave me meat by this age. Like they did everything back then.. so who knows. But I don't think there's any reason you should give him meat, especially if you don't want to do it. But I guess if the ped ok'd it, then it's not going to hurt him either.

(That's some good advice there, huh?)

[amonstersmomma]

I remember you Gideon sounds so advanced! And I've seen your FB pics he is one big cutie for sure.

I agree that meat sounds odd but what about more fruits and veggies throughout the day? I have no experience with solids at all but that's what I would have asked the pedi when he suggested meats.

[Kumii]

No need to reintroduce yourself... we remember you here!!
I am not ready to give my guy meat, but it is because he is not as hungry as yours. Why dont you try and see how he handles it?

[KimberlyAnn327]

I would hold off on meat for a while. It can be something that's hard to digest because it doesn't have any fiber. I would just stick to fruit and veggies for a while. Oh, and I remembered you too!

[cabbagepatch]

Hi Kat!
Have you tried oatmeal? Rice cereal didn't work well with my babies either.
I can see why you're worn out from his appetite!

[erinelizabeth83]

If he is getting full from the fruits/veggies I wouldn't worry about it but if he is still hungry all the time I would give it a try personally. I would just mix a teeny tiny amount of the meat in with the veggies to see how he does. If you're eating meat yourself while breastfeeding he is getting meat protein through your milk already anyway. I would definitely start very slow but if he's hungry all the time it might be worth a try.

Oh, and just so you know, I remember you!

You're doctor is wrong. Meat shouldn't be given to a baby this young. Really maybe head to the natural health board and ask why meat shouldn't be given so young,they could explain it better then I can.

[WomanInTheMoon]

Originally Posted by missmich

You're doctor is wrong. Meat shouldn't be given to a baby this young. Really maybe head to the natural health board and ask why meat shouldn't be given so young,they could explain it better then I can.

Good to know you're a physician now Michelle. There are always different opinions and it would be nice if you could learn to give your opinion in a nicer more respectful tone.

And, of course, that is just my opinion.

[The Heather]

I never gave my DD meat baby food because the thought of pureed meat grossed me out. If Gideon is doing well on fruits and veggies, then I wouldn't worry about it. However if he is showing signs that he needs more, then I would try out some meat and see how it goes. Just make sure to keep giving him the fruit and veggies too because he will need the fiber. And if he gets constipated, you can always add a teaspoon of prune juice to his food.

[kemper2.0]

I'm so glad everyone remember me! Yay! He isn't as hungry now, because of the fruits and veggies so I don't feel pressured into giving him meat. If he wasn't being satisfied with what he was getting I for sure would give him meat. I was just curious as to if anyone else had heard of this before.

MissMich- I don't think my doctor is wrong. In Africa, meats are the first solids introduced and their babies turn out fine. I think it is just a matter of preference and tradition, but that's just me!

[AmandaEliz]

Hi! Lurking from the July 2010 PR. I'm getting ready to start my daughter on solids (probably not until after the holidays though), so I'm perusing a bunch of the feeding posts. I don't know about the meat thing either... I think it's hard for babies to digest & that's why it's usually not in jarred baby food until the "Step 3" stuff. If I remember correctly, it has something to do with the way their intestines develop. Here are some links. Now, these are about delaying solids & focus on BF babies, but they have info on how baby's intestines develop. Scroll down to the "Delaying solids gives baby's digestive system time to mature" section in the kellymom.com one. It talks about protein & fat digestion (meat has both of these, of course). The Dr Sears one talks mostly about allergens.
kellymom.com :: Why Delay Solids?
STARTING SOLID FOODS

I never gave the pureed meat to my son... it was just yucky. I waited until he could pick it up & chew it by himself (he was probably about 10 months, he got all of his teeth VERY early), and I started with chicken. My guess would be that your pedi wants him to get some more protein, but I would kinda hesitate to give meat to a 3 month old. Just my opinion, though.

[JennaBee]

Personally we don't do solids until at least 6 months but all of my experience is with preemies and every baby is different!
If you are looking for a one stop resource for baby food. Wholesome Homemade Baby Food Recipes, Make your baby healthy homemade baby food with our easy baby food recipes, solid food tips, baby nutrition & more! is an excellent resource for when/what/how to give foods to children. They provide menus and descriptions of appropriate stages etc. And EVERY recommendation is supplied with a link to official documented research to why they feel that way. For example often carrots are given as first foods but now research says they should wait until 7-8 months because of Nitrates and gives a link to other resources offering information on Nitrates. They also have great alternative recipes on how to prepare home made baby foods.