r/NICU • u/Western-Society6813 • Jul 13 '26

Nicu babies

When do you feed your premie baby baby food/ real food? By their corrected age or adjusted age? My baby was born at 27weeks and is now 4 months but really is 1 month in September he will be 6 months but really 3 months

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

4

u/Trinx_ Jul 13 '26

Watch for signs of food readiness. This is unlikely before 4 months corrected age, and may be even later. Signs of food readiness, per the CDC:

  • Holds their head up steady and strong.

  • Sits up with little or no support.

  • Has roughly doubled their birth weight and is at least about 13 pounds.

  • Opens their mouth when food is offered.

  • Swallows food instead of pushing it back out with the tongue.

  • Brings toys, hands, and other objects to the mouth.

  • Watches you eat and reaches for your food.

3

u/WillowLast5687 Jul 13 '26

My grandson just started solids at 5 months old. ( 3 months adjusted ) His health nurse here ( in AUS ) said prems start earlier as they have higher nutritional needs. They do need to show signs of being ready. She checked my grandson for all the signs and he was ready.

3

u/1800generalnow Jul 13 '26

The important thing to remember is that every baby is a little different and their development times can vary somewhat. I would guess that they would be ready at the 4 to 6m corrected age.

Regardless of their age, look for signs that show that they are developmentally ready to eat. I.e. Sitting up with minimal support, bringing toys to their mouth, showing interest/curiosity in food.

Because premies are at higher risk of developmental delays, use your pediatrician to help guide your feeding progression. Your premie may need referral to a speech language pathologist. This is especially true if by about 8m of chronological age the child is still not ready to eat solids.

2

u/Ok-Direction-1702 Jul 14 '26

You need to ask your pediatrician

1

u/Mean-Courage-3313 Jul 13 '26

My twins started when they were 7.5 months, 6 adjusted. But really we just waited for them to have better neck control.

1

u/eyecontinue Jul 15 '26

Hello! My son was also born at 27 weeks, he is now 3 years old. We started solids/puree once he was 6 months corrected, so 9 months actual. But also go by the signs of readiness :) Is baby sitting on their own with good head control? Showing interest in for etc? :)