Baby rice/porridge at 4 months!

My girl is almost 4 months and staring every time I eat. She is putting everything and anything in her mouth due to teething. She is sitting up well but needs support. Every woman over the age of 50 I come into contact with tells me to start her on baby rice 😂 She is almost 16lbs so a big baby for her age too and hungry. She has 5 or 6 oz every 3 hours, through the night too. My Mum suggested just a bit in the morning but I’m a bit nervous. Health visitor said to wait until she stops poking her tongue out when something goes in her mouth. Apparently this is a natural reflex and they should not eat before this changes. I’m in the same boat as you and not sure what to do. My Niece was also a big baby and my sister waited until the day she turned 6 months

The advice I was given is that they have to be able to sit unaided and unsupported, I.e. without a cushion behind them and also have stopped sticking their tongue out as it's a reflex, which means they won't be able to swallow the food

Baby rice has nutritional value of cardboard. It takes up space in baby's tummy and actually prevents them from taking up nutrients they would have otherwise taken from milk.
It says "from 4 months" because baby food is a completely unregulated market and the producers can put whatever the hell they want on the packaging. And they want you to pay them money of course, the longer the better, they don't care about your baby's wellbeing at all. It's best to wait until 6mo to let their gut develop, the tongue thrust reflex to diminish, and their head stability to get better. There is no need to rush! X

Following im a ftm mum aswell

While you can of course do what you like with your baby...the advice is six months for a reason. Babies digestive system is not developed enough, they haven't developed the right motor skills for bringing food to their mouth or moving it round their mouth to prevent choking. There are really zero developmental or nutritional benefits to start weaning early. You will hear lots of "my baby was hungry and I gave baby porridge early it and it never did them any harm" which is all well and good anecdotally. But ultimately, all the research into babies development advises you to wait until at least six months. Your baby is getting all the nutrition they need from milk and they can always have more milk if they're hungry. I waited until six months with my first, she was quite advanced with her motor skills and would stare intently at us eating from about four months but we still waited...its amazing how much they come on in two months. I'll be waiting until 6 months with my 2nd as well.

Companies are trying to make you buy the product that's why it says it on the packet. NHS does not recommend until 6mo and showing signs of readyness. Don't wean before 6 mo unless advised by Dr. My 4mo desperately wants food but has no idea how to eat it. But he isn't having any until he's 6mo