4 month checkup

Aaron had his 4 month checkup today. He weighed in at 16 lbs 8 oz, was 26.5" long and his head circumference went from the 75th percentile at 2 months to the 90th. That's one big melon! His weight gain has slowed down - he only gained 2 1/2 pounds in the last two months. But he's 3.5" longer. Which explains why he is outgrowing his onsies in length. (Thank you Jessica for the onsie extenders!)

His shots went better than last time. He still didn't like them, but it didn't seem as traumatic as the first set and he calmed down quickly afterwards. He's been sleeping most of the day, waking up to feed a little more often than usual, but staying awake for shorter periods.

Since I have allergies, she recommended we don't start him on any solids until he is 6 months old. If I can hold out, she said. I asked what that meant - wondering if he was going to be ravenous as he gets bigger and I was going to be dying to give him baby food. She said some parents can't wait to feed their babies solids - they start asking about it at 2 months. They think the baby needs it or they think it will help the baby sleep through the night. Not me. I'm happy not spending money on baby food or going to the trouble of spoon feeding him any sooner than necessary. But at 6 months, it sounds like he'll need more iron than he can get from breastmilk, so we'll start him on rice cereal fortified with iron.

I knew we'd introduce foods gradually to catch any food allergies, but I didn't realize there were limits on when we could give him certain foods - except honey, which I know they don't recommend before 1 year since it can contain botulism.

Here's what she told me:
Starting at 6 months, I can give him rice cereal and then fruits.
Before 9 months - no wheat and no meat
Before 12 months - no honey, chocolate, strawberries, seafood, egg whites, soy or dairy
Before 2-3 years - no nuts

Overall, he's doing well, she said. Although we did get another lecture about not giving him Trivisol, which is a vitamin supplement. She thinks he needs Vitamin D, which she says most American women are deficient in. Thom went to the store to get it after our 2 month checkup (during which she reiterated her earlier recommendation to put Aaron on it) but wasn't happy with the ingredient list, so he didn't buy it. I read on kellymom.com that as little as 30 minutes of sun exposure a week can give him the Vitamin D he needs. Plus I'm still taking my prenatal vitamins which have a full dose of Vitamin D. And soon enough, he'll be getting vitamin fortified cereal. In the end, she said it was up to us and she wouldn't say we are bad parents for not giving it to him, but she has to go with what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.