when can I start giving my baby rice cereal?

Blackwood - posted on 10/26/2009

4-6 months, mainlt becuz their tummys are not mature enough to digest anything other then breastmilk or formula, but even then you might still want to okay it with doc first. My son eats every 2-3hrs of formula, about 4oz at a time. Doc says it's normal.

LaCee - posted on 10/26/2009

I have a degree in early childhood development and took 2 classes in infant nutrition. Every baby is different and every Dr. is different, they'll all tell you something different about every subject. When it comes to baby cereal it's really up to mom, you know your baby best. But you need to keep in mind that baby really isn't ready for cereal until he/she can hold their head up on their own. The guidelines that suggest 4 months are just going by baby's physical development, not really by their tummy. If a baby can hold their head up on their own then they are ready for cereal if you feel comfortable feeding it to them, but just rice cereal, no other solids should be introduced until about 5 months and then slowly and one at a time. My 2 month old can hold his head up perfectly, he's always been very strong in this area, he also has his gag reflex and has had it from the beginning, though I don't feel he's ready for cereal yet, I plan to try at 3 months.

Please never give your baby cereal from the bottle! The only thing that should come from a bottle is milk, never juice or cereals! Cereal comes from a bowl and spoon and juice comes from a cup.

Nozipho - posted on 10/23/2009

Quoting Rachael:

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that 2-3 hourly feeding is perfectly normal for such a young baby, in fact it's necessary. Baby rice is NOT suitable for such a young baby, their gut isn't able to cope with it. Solid foods shouldn't be introduced til at least 4 months but ideally 6 months.
I have to say I'm really shocked at the advice you've been given. Doctors will tell you later because they are right and know what they are talking about. Please don't give your baby rice cereal before 4 months. It is totally normal for him to feed this often, it won't last forever and he will start going longer between feeds.

I hope this has helped.

I totally agree with Racheal, because baby cannot yet hold up their head(head control), which is necessary for safe eating for the baby. The baby's gag reflex is not yet developed and is still in the mouth and had has not moved down to the throat. when babies are born they are immature as opposed to other mammals and should totally survive on milk until they have at least finished their "fourth trimester". At six months babies have better head control and can begin to eat solids, otherwise mixed feeding results in an increased risk of infections etc.. Doctors allow babies with reflux to add a little cereal because the thickened feed helps the baby's stomach keep down food. However it's up to the mother to do what she feels is right..

Patrice - posted on 10/22/2009

hello emily..my daughter is the same way when it comes to feedings..i heard that u start them on cereal at 4months but jus so that they can see the difference of using a spoon from a bottle..but what i do with my daughter and it seems to work is i by the rice cereal the really fine ones and i put a small amount in her bottle with her milk and it seems to satisfy her..hope this helps you a little bit

Kelly - posted on 10/22/2009

My doc has me giving my baby cereal in every bottle due to choking on regular formula. She had diareah for a week or so but now she is fine. I make a 3oz bottle regularly and then add an ounce of ceral. Just make sure you cut the nipple so they aren't fighting to get the cereal through the bottle and tire themselves out.

Casey - posted on 10/21/2009

My doctor said not until they're 4 months!

Shanna - posted on 10/20/2009

Well, I was the mom who never gave any of her babies food before I was supposed to, but now with number five, we were advised by our pediatrician to add a little cereal to his bottles of breast milk to help with his reflux - since then he's been so much less fussy. He still eats every 2 or three hours.

Parica - posted on 10/20/2009

see the hole thing is thats what the books say but they don't go off of the fact that every baby is diff. not every baby can handle it but some babys can. My first baby started eating baby cerel at 2 weeks old and she is and did just fine, and i started my new baby on cerel at 5 weeks old and she is doing just fine and is still eating ever two- three hours. the hole thing is that you don't give it to them evey time you go to feed them you just feed it to the ones aday at first then go to two times a dayif they like it. But as my kids doctor tolds me you are the partent and you know your child the best so do what feels right to you.

Kellie - posted on 10/12/2009

Quoting Rachael:

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that 2-3 hourly feeding is perfectly normal for such a young baby, in fact it's necessary. Baby rice is NOT suitable for such a young baby, their gut isn't able to cope with it. Solid foods shouldn't be introduced til at least 4 months but ideally 6 months.
I have to say I'm really shocked at the advice you've been given. Doctors will tell you later because they are right and know what they are talking about. Please don't give your baby rice cereal before 4 months. It is totally normal for him to feed this often, it won't last forever and he will start going longer between feeds.

I hope this has helped.

Totally agree with Rachel!!

Kristin - posted on 10/11/2009

My son eats and eats and eats and I talked to my doctor and he said to wait until your baby is atleast 2 months but even then can be 2 early.

Brandi - posted on 10/08/2009

i have a 2 yr old and we started giving her cereal in her bottle when she was 8 wks old... but with my 8 wk old now it doesn't seem to really help. i have just decided to bite the bullet and feed her every few hours if she is hungry. and here lately its gone from 3 to 5 oz every 2.5 hrs to 2 to 3 oz. every 1.5 to 2 hrs. its kinda slowed back down some today though... (thank goodness)

Ashleigh - posted on 10/08/2009

i'd ask your doctor.. my baby is 5 weeks old and the dr told me it was okay to give him a little juice between meals to help with constipation so its really different for each child.

Lisa - posted on 10/08/2009

My mom was advised to give us a baby spoon of rice and apple sauce when we were only 2 week old to prepare our digestive system. Now dotors recommend waiting until 4 months because they felt introducing them too early was attributing to food allergies according to my pedi.

Trisha - posted on 10/07/2009

Ask your pediatrician. Mine took a look at my son and gave us advice specific to him - I wouldn't take any generalized information from anyone!

Emily - posted on 10/03/2009

Thanks for the advice...he goes to the doctor on the23rd so i'll ask the doc i just wanted a heads up on the answer

Stephanie - posted on 10/03/2009

Quoting Rachael:

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that 2-3 hourly feeding is perfectly normal for such a young baby, in fact it's necessary. Baby rice is NOT suitable for such a young baby, their gut isn't able to cope with it. Solid foods shouldn't be introduced til at least 4 months but ideally 6 months.

I have to agree with Rachael.  The babies digestive system isn't ready for Rice.  Very frequent feeds (esp. with breastfed babies) are completely normal and healthy.  It is a lot of work to have such frequent feeds but is necessary for growth and development.

Parica - posted on 10/03/2009

i would start just make it realy runny at first.

Jaclyn - posted on 10/03/2009

I actually had just replied to a similar thread...so this was my response on their thread..hth

I really think it is HIGHLY advised against. At the end of the day, you are the child's parent and will do what you decide to do, but the WHO recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months and if formula feeding to wait until the child is at least 4 months to introduce solids. Drinking milk and eating more solid food require different muscles in the mouth. A baby at 2 months old does not have the required muscles to safely eat the food. As said above too, you should NEVER give anything other than milk in the bottle. Even when you do introduce juice (after 4 months), it should come from a spoon or sippy cup. Bottles create a longer contact period with teeth and can cause enamel wear and cavities in young children.
A baby's stomach isn't much bigger than the end of your thumb. Therefore, they eat often. There is a reason why all the products, doctors, etc tell you it is not suitable until after 4 months...your baby's body cannot digest it.

Emily - posted on 10/03/2009

he eats 6 oz every 3 hours

Rachael - posted on 10/03/2009

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that 2-3 hourly feeding is perfectly normal for such a young baby, in fact it's necessary. Baby rice is NOT suitable for such a young baby, their gut isn't able to cope with it. Solid foods shouldn't be introduced til at least 4 months but ideally 6 months.

I have to say I'm really shocked at the advice you've been given. Doctors will tell you later because they are right and know what they are talking about. Please don't give your baby rice cereal before 4 months. It is totally normal for him to feed this often, it won't last forever and he will start going longer between feeds.



I hope this has helped.

Victoria - posted on 10/03/2009

yeah my little boy is 5 weeks old and he is 6kg's so of coarse he eats alot..

i started giving him farex the rice cereal one yesterday. and it filled him up. it says not till there 4 months but its ok for the bub

Ashley - posted on 10/03/2009

Its really when you feel ok with it. my daughter is 5 weeks and we started to give her cereal in a bottle because she was eating all the time and never got satisfied. drs will tell you later but it is totally ok for your baby!

Jessica - posted on 10/02/2009

My daughter is the same way and i was actually wondering the same thing!! How much does your son eat at each feeding?