just started my 4 month old on cereal, how many times a day should I feed him cereal?

Natalie - posted on 04/17/2009

My baby has just turned 4 months and is still 100% breast fed. We have started playing with a spoon though and I'm thinking about trying some cereal mixed with breast milk in the next few weeks. To be honest, I believe mum knows baby better than any doc. Let your instincts be your guide and you'll probably be less concerned all round. You'll know if your baby is hungry, then you can just feed a little more at meal times. As mums we can be so worried about doing a good job we forget to 'go with the flow' and keep it simple. Trial and error. Good luck!

Tiffany - posted on 04/17/2009

I'm breastfeeding Mylie, and she hasnt been sleeping as well as ahe should. Ive heard that she might not be getting enough so i asked her nurse if i should start her on cereal, she said NO WAY, not until shes 6 moths old. Then i asked my pharmicist and fam doctor and they said it wont hurt to try. I have been feeding her cereal once or twice a day and she IS sleeping better... it depends on your doc and what he/she believes but as a mom, its just one of the things you have to decide...in my opinion, it wouldnt hurt to try!

Angie - posted on 04/16/2009

My LO's doctor told us to start her on juice at one month, then gave us the go ahead to start her on cereal at 3 months.  We kept her on cereal once a day, about and ounce, and then upped her to breakfast and bedtime at 4 months.  We then started her on baby food, this past Monday (she turned 4 months over the weekend) and has been doing awesome so far.  She is on oatmeal cereal because the rice constipated her and she has already tried squash and we started her on carrots last night.

I agree with Kendra....it all depends on the baby on when you should start them on cereal and solids.  I know a lady that her doctor told her that there is to be ABSOLUTELY no juice, cereal or solids until the baby is a year old!  It is recommended that when your baby is eating 36 ounces of formula in a 24 hour period is when you should start them on cereal.  Personally, I would talk to your doctor and see what he suggest on how often you should give him cereal.  I personally think that twice a day is more than enough because once you start giving him solids that's going to be a half a jar twice a day.

I think that you should go with your gut and do what YOU feel is best for your baby!

Alanna - posted on 04/15/2009

oh, I forgot to mention, I am only feeding him oatmeal baby food (he didnt like rice) I am not feeding him jarred baby food just yet, but that is just me, everyone and every baby is different :)

Alanna - posted on 04/15/2009

I just started my 3 1/2 month old on cereal a week or so ago, its not "rushing" the baby food, its FEEDING a hungry baby.  My daughter who is 5 started at 3 months, since that was what dr's were saying at that point in time...she is fine.  Anyhow, I started my son on about 3-4 baby spoon fulls of the mixed cereal at first, he is now up to about 7 or so, and he has learned very quick how to keep it in his mouth rather than painting his bib with it.  I personally only feed him after supper, he seems the hungriest at that point of the day, yesterday he had it at lunch.  He lets me know when he is hungry and I use my job as a mom to answer his calls. As long as your baby is still having the recommended amount of formula, and you have mentioned this to your dr (I hate dr's) then  you are the mommy let that mommy intuition guide you, just dont over feed :).  I am just answering the question with what I think/know or whatever, if you dont agree or if no one agrees, that is ok... the point of this is to help new babies grow big and strong and healthy :)

Tammi - posted on 04/15/2009

I have a 4 month old I started him on cereal at 3 months and i started him on about 1 oz in the morning, but if he didn't eat it all i was fine with that. Now at 4 months he eats 3 oz every morning but just once a day he get's half a jar of veg n fruit for lunch and one jar of veg for dinner and a 6 to 5oz bottle after every jar. I started him early because every time me and my husband ate he would mock us and want our food :)

Kendra - posted on 04/14/2009

my pediatrician said to give my little girl (also 4 months) a couple of TEASPOONS twice a day

she takes it the consistency of thick formula though it does not resemble cereal really

my baby is almost 20 pounds so the dc said once she has been on cereal for 2 weeks twice a day then start with baby foods

and for people who think it's too early you have to remember that eveyr baby is diffrent and what might be ok for one might be torture for another even if they are sibs

my first started cereal before 3 months and then babyfood before 4 months but he was all formula and my baby is all breastmilk (and cereal now)

Aliya - posted on 04/14/2009

Just wondering what the rush is with moms getting a 4 month old to start on solids? My dr says it's unnecessary and too soon. I thought babies only need breast milk until they're 6 months?

Alina - posted on 04/13/2009

Hi Stephanie,

I'm also a mum of a 4mth old. The general rule of thumb is to start them on a couple of teaspoons once a day to see how they cope & then increase the volume rather than the frequency. 

Your baby has been breastfed/bottlefed until now and this is the only mouth action they know so the first time you try you'll have to turn a blind eye to how much comes out compared to how much goes in :)

Once they get the hang of actually eating & they can tolerate a full tablespoon then maybe think about increasing the frequency. Always a good idea to talk to your paediatrician/Early childhood nurse.

Good Luck!!