Is it a good time to start on semi-solids?

Yes anytime between 4-6 months is good. If you are breast feeding your baby, mix the cereal with breast milk(let it be soupy ., i.e, if you take one spoon of cereal please mix it with 3 or 4 spoons of milk till you feel its soupy enough) and start one or twice a day, then gradually increase it. Since your baby is only 4 months the more feeds needs to be breast milk or formula.

Yes you can start adding the cereal to your formula preparation, but please note it needs to be soupy not too thick.

 

Anitha. Any reason you want to start solids now and not wait till 6 months? Did your doc give a go ahead? I would say check with your doc on when to start solids.

 

I agree with Chitra. Until 6 months, all the babies need is milk. Any reason why you are contemplating to start this early? If there is no medical reason, I suggest that you wait for at least another 6 weeks.

 

Wait until 6 months until 6 months provide 100 % on Bm or formula. Wait at least he sits on his own without support. After 6 months u can start with fruits and veggies than starting with store bought cereal. Store bought cereal has lots of iron in it and it can get him constipated . If he is already on formula he don't need iron fortified cereal.
Proceed with stage 1 fruits and veggies and continue with homemade rice and oats powder.

 

It is always recommended to wait till 6th month completion, at time time Annaprasana will be done and all types of foods are slowly started.

 

For my baby I waited until 6 months; my doctor very strictly advised against starting semi-solids before completion of 6 months.

 

OP, as far as preparing formula goes, follow the manufacturers instructions strictly. In the uk, every formula I have used suggested one scoop per ounce of water. Of course the difference could be because of the difference in the measure of ounce between here and there..

As for starting solids, while there have been people who have started it around 4 mo, 6 months is when it is recommended. Otherwise the child could possibly develop allergies. Whenever you start solids, use the milk the child is used to as a base and add little amounts of the chosen solids to it. (10:1 ratio initially) Even though the food will probably be like milk, make sure you give it with a cup and spoon while the child sits upright.

 

There is a misconception that starting semi solids is equal to long hour sleep. Every baby reacts differently to solids and for them to sleep through night they need solids multiple times in a day and not just once. It's a slow process so take it slowly at your babies pace.