When should you start feeding your baby cereal?

Stephanie - posted on 01/08/2010

4-6 months to start. I started giving my baby girl cereal when she was 4 and a half months but MAKE SURE IT'S REALLY soupy and not lumpy!! I mixed it with expressed milk, gave her a warm bath, night lotion, and breastfed her until she passed out (40 minutes) She STARTED sleeping through every so often

Sarah - posted on 01/07/2010

we just had our 4 month chek up with our son. and the doctor said there was no reason to start cereal. But with my daughter we did when she was 4 months old. (going back 11 yrs ago, lol) So i dont know what is right, i think every baby is different. because i remember she was hungry after feedings at that age. luckily my son seems satisfied so far. I am sure that it will be fine, just fallow their cues.

Kyle - posted on 01/07/2010

my doctor also said I could start my son on solids (cereal and stage one food) at 4 mos. I was also told the same for my daughter (from a completely different doctor). both of them have been in the 90th percentile to off the charts of the growth chart BEFORE AND AFTER starting solids. Their health is just fine. I have never been told not to feed them until 6 mos. and have never heard of not feeding them solids until 10 months. the 10 month age sounds a little late to me. my son is NOW 10 months and is eating table food along with baby food. I would do what you feel comfortable doing and what you think your child is ready for! GOOD LUCK!

Rachel - posted on 01/07/2010

Never? Personally, I won't do cereal for any of mine. the artificial vitamins/iron they fortify it with are hard to absorb and often cause constipation. I started with veggies with my boys, and only after they displayed all signs of readiness (kellymom.com has a great list)--being at least six months of age is one of the signs :) gives their little digestive track time to develop enough to handle some solids. Even after six months, solids are just for learning--they play with them, they feel the new textures and tastes but the majority of their nutrition should still come from breastmilk :)

Sondra - posted on 01/07/2010

I don't think it was right for your Dr. to suggest that. A baby's stomach and intestines are sensitive to foods at a such a young age which is possibly why she thew up. My son is 6 months old and just tried his first solid food. I completely skipped rice cereal because I did not feel the need for it. My son Zion has been right on track with his height and weight and has been very healthy with solely breast milk for his first six months. This is what pediatricians should be advising you.

Rice cereal in my opinion is for moms who either have low milk supply, or for babies that are not gaining weight as they should. Breast milk has everything your baby requires, there is no need to give them food so soon before their organs are able to mature enough to digest it. If you feel as though she is still hungry, continue to nurse her intermittently until she is satisfied. If you are burping her in between feedings and feeding often, that should help :)

If I were you I would consider switching to a different Dr. as well! It's great that you are looking into this further!

Reesa - posted on 01/07/2010

My pediatrician recommended waiting until 6 months. That's the first time I've heard of a pedi. recommending it before 6 months. My daughter nursed the same way so I understand why you feel like she's hungry but if her weight is on track, I wouldn't worry. Her system may not be mature enough for cereal yet so I'd just keep doing what you're doing with the breastfeeding and keep checking on her weight. Sounds like you're doing a great job.

Cammie - posted on 01/07/2010

i started feeding my daughter solids at 4 months (now 6) and then add ceral with breastfeeding but she would always get gas and throw it up to. So we moved on to veggies and she has done fine ever since. We have just avoided anything with ceral in it. hope this helps.

Also if you think shes still hungry after nursing id try veggies maybe even fruit we did that as well. you dont want them to be hungry and you dont want to be nursning all the time either. hope this helps as well.

Minnie - posted on 01/07/2010

No major health organization recommends offering solids prior to six months. Your daughter's doctor is going directly against the AAP by approving solids for a four month old.



Cereal is nutritionally deficient and low in bioavailability.



According to La Leche League International, signs that baby is ready for solids include:



Baby can sit unsupported

Baby has developed pincer grasp

Baby can pick up food, put it in mouth, chew it, and then swallow it.



Your daughter needs your milk, and only your milk right now. Solids offer no benefit to her whatsoever at this point.



My youngest had nothing but my milk until ten months, which was when she began picking up food and feeding herself.