Rice cereal feedings

Rachael - posted on 09/04/2010

Try feeding him holding him, like you would hold him if u gave him a bottle? that might help?

FYI though, my LO has 9oz bottles of milk 5 times a day and two meals a day and still wakes in the night

Danielle - posted on 09/04/2010

Are you breast or bottle feeding?
I have a 6 month old son who I started on solids at 4 1/2 months and hes done brilliantly well, he eats everything I give him and ive only found two things he doesnt like Parsnip and Avacado!!
The thing is when they are this little they are into everything and it is inevitable that they are going to get in a mess when they are eating, they are all still learning and the way they explore food is to feel it in their hands, roll it around in their mouths which mostly ends up with it drippin down their chin, I give my son the bowl and spoon to play with after he has eatren and it keeps his busy whilst I start the cleaning process lol.
My son is quite messy when he is eating but he is only 6 months and hes always grabbing the spoon so it ends up everywhere, all over his face in his hair ears the lot but the way I look at it yes it is a pain to have to clean eveything up afterwards but as long as he is eating I can deal with the mess.

I no that there is a rice feed/cereal that you can get that you can actually mix with the babies milk in their bottles to make it more substantial a friend of mine used to use it but I cant remember what its called sorry. Have you tried doing a dream feed before you go to be to help baby go for longer during the night?
Hope some of this helps x

Sherry - posted on 08/26/2010

There is no way to avoid the mess. Babies learning to eat are going to be messy, just wait until they are old enough to decide dancing in the toilet is fun because they like the feel of water on their feet.(I have a 10 year old and a almost 6 month old.) My baby has reflux so she spits up a lot but she holds the rice down better. My advice would be to try feeding your baby in just a diaper and be prepared to grab a warm wet wash cloth as soon as you are done. Also, for the sleping through the night do you have a bed time routine? That has helped my girls to know its time to settle down for the night. She eats, has a bath, lotion and PJs and then into bed. She will go to sleep in her bed. Good luck!

Jacqueline - posted on 08/26/2010

Aww! Your son has the same birthday as mine!! My son sleeps all night and is like 17lbs at 5mos, but my daughter didnt sleep all night until about 18mos. I would use the spoon trick to feed her, and i would also keep a wipe handy, after i gave her a spoonful i'd wipe her mouth. I do have to hold my son's hands down out of his mouth. I use a high chair and lay the back down a little bit, cuz he cant sit up yet. Good luck!!

Sarah - posted on 08/26/2010

True, it is inevidable but still frustrating. I have twins, one of which has reflux so I know all about mess! Most of her feeds just come back up! Feeding is very messy, especially the rice cereal, but i figure its better to let them try and feed themselves. They're going to get messy no matter what, so (in my opinion anyway) its better to let them try then clean up afterwards, as the sooner they learn to feed themselves, the sooner my hands are free! Being two babies at once this is my reasoning anyway :) Good luck!

Kimberly - posted on 08/26/2010

I tried something different this morning. I fed my son while he was on his tummy. He was holding himself up on his hands while he ate, thus making his hands too busy to grab at the spoon. His face was still messy, but thats inevitable when he turns his head all the time and slops some. I just use a diaper wipe on his face and hands after he eats. Also, I put a fruit or veggie in with the cereal, so that its not as sticky and will come off much easier with the wipe. Also, I leave my son in just his diaper most of the day, as its warm out.

Jessie - posted on 08/26/2010

thanks ♥
I will keep trying - he does grab the spoon from me, but when I have to put the spoon back in the bowl to get more cereal on the spoon he will just cram his hands in his mouth... and will spread the cereal around more or won't let me get the spoon back in.

Mandy - posted on 08/26/2010

I have the same problem with the rice cereal... its messy but its inevidable. Try giving your son a spoon to hold too, it will give him practice on eventually feeding himself one day and it keeps the little hands busy... The spoon may get in the way sometime cuz he will more then likely bring it to his mouth but when my daughter does that i just give her hand a little push and give her the spoon full of cereal. the spoon shes holding goes right back up to her mouth but she is swallowing the spoonfuls i give her as well.
just have patience with it. Its a new experience for baby and as they get used to it.. the easier it will be for you.
what works best for me tho is when someone is home with me just have baby sit on someones lap and hold his hands while you feed. also try turning on some cartoons or something to to distract him from playing with the mess.
hope that helps.