Is it ok to feed a baby cereal before 6 months?

Jen - posted on 02/24/2010

I started my daughter on cereal at 4 months, but she never took a bottle, so didn't do that. My pediatrician is actually the one who suggested giving her cereal (she was a constant nurser, which got exhausting!) I would say don't put it in her bottle anymore bc of the choking hazard/tooth decay links, but if she likes it and you are comfortable giving it to her, keep giving it to her :) Remember that you are her mama and everyone else's opinions are just that.. opinions. Pediatricians, obviously, have a lot more insight, but with things like when to feed what, they really are just going by the latest trends and popular opinions. It seems like everything is constantly changing. It's hard to keep up lol.

Laurie - posted on 02/16/2010

My pediatrician said 4 months is fine to start solids. However, I've read in numerous places that you shouldn't put it in the bottle because it's a choking hazard. Are you giving it to have her fall asleep? Because supposedly that also doesn't really make much of a difference and it is said that it will cause tooth decay. Good luck!

LaQuitta - posted on 02/16/2010

Heyyy!!!If you already started then continue i started feeding my baby cereal in the morning and right before she goes to sleep and everything was just fine.

Wendy - posted on 02/15/2010

I gave my baby cereal at 3 months because she was constantly hungry. My doctor said it was fine!

Deanna - posted on 02/15/2010

I was just having this same conversation with my daughter, because I am a grandma now and everthing has changed since I was raising my babies. I gave my three cereal in their bottles starting at about 2 months old. This is what we did in those days. I am told by my expert mommy daughter that you shouldn't give solids until six months old because it may cause allergies. Mine don't have any allergies, but that is a very small sampling from a scientific point of view. To shorten a long story, she will probably be OK, but I would listen to my pediatrician to be on the safe side.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/14/2010

I would stop. Medical evidence states that little bellies are not mature enough to handle anything but breastmilk or formula for the first 6 months. She is more prone to get sick or have ear infections.

Michelle - posted on 02/13/2010

My boys, which tend to be the greediest little ones started getting cereal out of their spoons at two months. It was a little messy and i made sure it was very soupy but they slept through the night and it never messed up their stomachs. Pediatricians mainly tell you that so they wont be held negligent. Im pretty certain your pediatrician is giving cereal to their child. My middle son is now three and he has a wonderful appetitte he eats his veggies and cleans his plate. I dont feel it would have an effect on them in their later lives.

Lorie - posted on 02/13/2010

According to babycentral, a baby's digestive system may not be ready for cereal until they are 4 months old. There's also conflicting information as to whether it helps or causes acid reflux. Regardless, I would follow the Drs orders. It certainly won't hurt to wait. Here's a quote from http://www.drgreene.com/21_517.html



"Children who begin solid foods with rice cereal in their bottles don't learn the instinct of stopping when they are full. This is because deceptively large amounts of calories come in without much increase in volume. As a result, kids that are fed rice cereal in a bottle tend to have excessive weight gain, both as infants and later in life. Other than that, children are very good at regulating their own intake. By starting with a spoon, resting between bites, and stopping when your child is full, you will be laying an excellent foundation for good eating habits throughout his life."



Read more: http://www.drgreene.com/article/guidelin...

Theresa - posted on 02/12/2010

Yes, it is. My son could not get full on just breastmilk so we started using rice formula when he was around 3 months. It worked great and he slept all night.

Chikodi - posted on 02/11/2010

Doctors say exclussive breast milk is the best for babies under six months. For me, i start bottle feeding from first day and it goes very well with my kids. If your baby does not have any problem with cereal, i dont think there is a point stoping that.

Delicia - posted on 02/10/2010

My son had acid reflux and the doctors had me putting cereal in his bottle at less than a week old.

Cindy - posted on 02/08/2010

i use to be a few teaspoon of cereal in the milk when my kids were like a few months old espically at night..helps the baby to sleep all night

Brandee - posted on 02/03/2010

I don't think it is an issue... if she has already had it and not had a reaction. I would just wait until introducing new foods to her. Does she act like a bottle isn't enough? Is that why you are feeding her cereal? Have you tried feeding her more ounces of milk?