Katie - posted on 03/09/2009 ( 74 moms have responded )
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My daughter's pediatrician said no rice cereal till 6 months. I feel like she needs it before then. She acts very interested when she sees Mommy & Daddy eating, (watches very closely) and is taking 6-7 oz of formula 7-8 times daily and still wakes up at night to be feed. Any moms start their baby on cereal before 6months?
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MaryJo - posted on 04/07/2009
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my doctor told me the same thing. but with my first child who is 3 1/2 years old now they told me to start at 4 months. she with my daughter i waited til she was 5 months because she was a premie. she also seemed interested in food when we were eating so i started cereal early and she loves it. i would just give each favor of cereal for 5-6 days each before trying a new one.
Allison - posted on 04/07/2009
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I started mixing in a little rice cereal into my son's bottles at about 3 and a half months and he sleeps really well. He's not hungry so often and he just gobbles it down. If you want to give it to her on it's own, i read that if they start opening their mouths when the spoon goes near it, then they're ready.
Christine - posted on 04/07/2009
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Our ped told us to wait until she was 5 months to see how she was doing developmentally (rolling over, tummy time amounts, etc). She also told us to look for her not sleeping through the night as a sign that she needed food. At 5 months, it happened like clock work! She loves food!!! Our doc said you would know if they aren't ready since the will really resist the food (more than just a dislike of taste and texture) and she said if that happened after trying a couple of times, then the baby isn't ready. Vivi went through rice and oatmeal, just finished squash and is going to try carrots soon!!!
Kim - posted on 04/07/2009
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LOL I worked not to get on one but thanks for posting, its pretty much what I would have posted had I been on my soapbox;)
Carolyn - posted on 04/07/2009
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Quoting Soffie:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
When a baby reaches 6 months old Breastfed or formula fed is no longer enough to meet there needs. u should introduce some sort of solid at 6 months. Talk to ur doc about it!
Breastmilk does not magicallly cease to be enough to meet nutritional needs at 6 months. Also, iron-enriched cereal is unnecessary and is a modern invention by the baby food (another modern invention) and pharma companies.
According to kellymom:
"Health experts and breastfeeding experts agree that it's best to wait until your baby is around six months old before offering solid foods. There has been a large amount of research on this in the recent past, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they're telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.
The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):
Most babies will become developmentally and physiologically ready to eat solids by 6-9 months of age. For some babies, delaying solids longer than six months can be a good thing; for example, some doctors may recommend delaying solids for 12 months if there is a family history of allergies."
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...
See also:
http://www.got-breastmilk.org/Whydelay.s...
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/solids.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000...
Things to keep in mind:
1. Increased nursing/bottles do not necessarily mean they are ready for solids. It may be that they're sick, teething, having a growth spurt. You will need to assess what the actual reason for increased nursing is.
2. Solids don't help them sleep thru the night. Babies, contrary to what popular culture will have you believe, aren't supposed to sleep "thru the night", but should get up and nurse/bottle. Many babies get a whopping 25% of their caloric intake overnight. Babies who wake up and nurse thru the night also are at lower risk of SIDS.
3. Humans, for hundreds of thousands of generations, ate what their parents ate when they were ready. Ancient humans didn't prop their babies up on reclining "high-rocks", and spoon pablum into their mouths. They likely ate what their parents ate, when they were able to eat it. That's how humans are designed.
::ok, I'll get off my soapbox now::
Michelle - posted on 04/04/2009
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my baby doc said i could give rice cereal at 5 months. he eats a tablespoon of it pretty much every morning and then some milk. the reason they r saying not till 6 months ( at least in ontario) is cuz it could affect their kidneys. but starting at 5 months should be fine.
Claire - posted on 04/04/2009
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just remember to give her plenty of fluids aswell, either juice or water, otherwise she will have trouble in the nappy department.
Rachel - posted on 04/04/2009
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i started all my kids on cereal at 4 months old. if you think they can handle give it to them. i have four kids. at six months old is when you start offering the jar foods to them. i would start now. just make sure you do not make the cereal too thick where it would make her gag. you want it thick enough for her to swallow it. try it once a day in the am or before she goes to bed for the nite. see if this helps.
Rachel - posted on 04/04/2009
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i started all my kids on cereal at 4 months old. if you think they can handle give it to them. i have four kids. at six months old is when you start offering the jar foods to them. i would start now. just make sure you do not make the cereal too thick where it would make her gag. you want it thick enough for her to swallow it. try it once a day in the am or before she goes to bed for the nite. see if this helps.
Claire - posted on 04/03/2009
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my boy has been having baby rice from about 4 months and i have just started him on dinners today. i think as long as its plain to start with and you dont try to feed them too much then there shouldnt be a problem. my boy sleeps through from about 9:30 till 9:30, so i really think it helps. you the mum and i think mums intuition stands for alot, remember they really are only guide lines and you dont have to take them literally.
Ashley - posted on 04/03/2009
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My daughter's pediatrician said cereal and solids at four months. I give her the Rice and I am about to try the Oatmeal also. It helps nap and sleep, makes her full. I also put Bananas in her cereal, to flavor it because it is just plain.
Tabitha - posted on 04/03/2009
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I started my twins on rice cereal at about 2 1/2 or 3 months, they love it and did not have a problems what so ever. They have a big bottle at night at 11:00 and sleep till 6:30...it's awesome! Of course every baby is different...I also just last week started them on baby food! Going great
Jenny - posted on 03/31/2009
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Quoting Sarah:
I've been mixing Farex (The Aust Version of rice cerea) since she was 3 1/2 months old with no side effects. I don't know why your bub wouldnt be right to have it.
The trouble is "side affects" don't show up until later on in life! xx
Michelle - posted on 03/31/2009
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When I told my pedi how much my guy was eating (about as much as yours) and how intersted he was in our food she told me to start him at 4 months. I have read a lot on this and really find that it just depends on what your doctor thinks. Most say if they can sit with little help, hold there head up well and act intersted in your food it is time to start solids.
Marcie - posted on 03/31/2009
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Reaserch has shown that the main differences in babies fed at 4 months and babies fed at 6-9 months is a higher occurance of diabetes, allergies and obesity. Its your call as you are her mother, but think about it.
Stephanie - posted on 03/30/2009
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I started both of my girls on cereal about 41/2 months. My first daughter took to it right away. My second (just turned 5 mo.) just started liking it and now is REALLY getting into it. Which is helpful for me b/c I am still breastfeeding. I haven't heard anything that really convinces me that there is a really good reason to wait till 6 mo.
Lisa - posted on 03/30/2009
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Our first daughter was so hungry that I started feeding her rice cereal at 4 months. She was much better after we started this and I was able to have more than 1 1/2 hours between nursing times all day. Our second child was not ready until he was 6 months. It seemed to upset his tummy before then. We have just had our third child and we started her on rice cereal at 5 months. She loves it and even has had some of the heinz beginner fruit and vegetables. Every child is different and you just have to try things. We started our third because she was very interested in watching us eat and bring food and drink to our mouths. She even reached out for the fork a few times. I would suggest trying a small amount of rice cereal and see if her tummy can handle it or not. If so, just increase the amount a little and work your way up from once to maybe twice a day.
Lynzie - posted on 03/30/2009
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we have had rice cereal and oatmeal and all the fruit and veg as of her 4 months..she started rice ceral at 3 1/2 months ped said it was fine for her becasue of her developmental stage
Lynzie - posted on 03/30/2009
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we have had rice cereal and oatmeal and all the fruit and veg as of her 4 months..she started rice ceral at 3 1/2 months ped said it was fine for her becasue of her developmental stage
Monica - posted on 03/30/2009
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I have fed my daughter since she was 4 months, rice cereal first then stewed fruits now she is 6 months she has had most foods, except meat and sugar, shes absolutely loves the valia baby yoghurt.
Johnna - posted on 03/30/2009
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My little girl was eating every 1 hr. to 1.5 hr., so my doctor said to start her on a little rice cereal with fruit or veggies at 5 months. He told me that there was something about babies getting allergic to more things if they start solids before 6 months, but if they are hungry enough then they are ready. He said that they tell you when they are ready.
Lubna - posted on 03/30/2009
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hey katie... my son is 5 months old... n i started cereals for him.... he seems to be happy with it ! Though his doc suggested to start after 6 mnths.....
Jolene - posted on 03/29/2009
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my daughter is 6 months but i started her on baby cereal at 41/2 mo. i started when she could hold her head up and turn it side to side and could control her body movements. but i DO NOT put cereal in her bottle becuase thats not what its for. and its giving them exrta calories that they dont need... i do feed my daughter once in the morning and once at night ... most nights she sleeps all night. and it does sound like your daughter is ready i would feed her oatmeal for about a month then start her on yellow and green veggies first then move on to the other veggies and then the fruits. i wouldnt do fruits first cuz when you get her on the veggies shes not goin to like them cuz they are not sweet like the fruits..
you know your baby, so if u think u should start her then do it, and if she doesnt like it, then wait a few weeks then start again.. it wont hurt her to start feeding her before 6 months :)
Sarah - posted on 03/29/2009
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I've been mixing Farex (The Aust Version of rice cerea) since she was 3 1/2 months old with no side effects. I don't know why your bub wouldnt be right to have it.
Kim - posted on 03/29/2009
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Ok thinking it isn't going to show up so I will try again. We delay solids because they aren't necesary for nutrion for a breastfed baby. We totally skip cereal because in general baby cereal does not have much nutrional value other then iron and your baby can get iron from better sources then cereal. When I do introduce solids I generally let it be child led. I make tthis decision by their cues, ie are they nursing more often and its not a growth spurt is my primary one. I usually totally skip baby food in general since my third one on has not liked baby food, I usually try it though to see if they will. What we usually do is smush up regular foods and let them feed themselves. There are also several studies out there regarding when to introduce solids and what it may or may not cause of course you know how it is with studies, in one day and out the next. At this point it is what works for us and has for a long time now. We did introduce solids earlier with our older children but if I could go back and do it over I wouldn't have. I think for me with the older ones it was the excitment of a new "stage" in their lives not really what was needed. The more we have had the more things I have changed in how I have done things with them. HTH:)
Kim - posted on 03/29/2009
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Carolynne I gave you a novel which isnt showing up figures, if it doesnt I will type it out , or as similar as I can get to what I wrote out again tomorrow
Carolynne - posted on 03/29/2009
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Quoting Kim:
Quoting Leanne:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
are you going to give an iron supplement? by 6 months babies no longer have any reserve left and that is why cereal is introduced. Unless you are going to give supplements than that is different. I agree, I would talk to your ped.
They dont need iron unless they end up with low iron which actually generally doesn't happen with the average breastfed baby until around 9 mos. I have had several with low iron. Most peds will check for low iron in breastfed babies at 9 mos. If your starting solids by that point and the babies iron is low , not ALL breast fed babies end up with low iron. There are plenty of ways to get iron enriched food in them without giving them baby cereal. I rather do that then baby cereal. Again, no I don't know everything , but Isabella is my eighth child, by this point I have pretty much been there and done everything and don't believe in giving baby cereal to my babies anymore.
Quoting Kim:
Quoting Leanne:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
are you going to give an iron supplement? by 6 months babies no longer have any reserve left and that is why cereal is introduced. Unless you are going to give supplements than that is different. I agree, I would talk to your ped.
They dont need iron unless they end up with low iron which actually generally doesn't happen with the average breastfed baby until around 9 mos. I have had several with low iron. Most peds will check for low iron in breastfed babies at 9 mos. If your starting solids by that point and the babies iron is low , not ALL breast fed babies end up with low iron. There are plenty of ways to get iron enriched food in them without giving them baby cereal. I rather do that then baby cereal. Again, no I don't know everything , but Isabella is my eighth child, by this point I have pretty much been there and done everything and don't believe in giving baby cereal to my babies anymore.
May I ask why you prefer not to give them cereal until 1 year (or 9 months). It is clear you have the experience, but I was wondering why you prefer this way? It does not seem that the cereal or baby food has harm my child...
Caitlin - posted on 03/29/2009
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my dr recommends as soon as your baby is 11 pounds. ( my daughter started cereal at 2.5 months, my son at 3 months) she's now almost 6 months old and eats 3 times a day. It doesnt hurt to try it.
Kim - posted on 03/29/2009
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Quoting Leanne:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
are you going to give an iron supplement? by 6 months babies no longer have any reserve left and that is why cereal is introduced. Unless you are going to give supplements than that is different. I agree, I would talk to your ped.
They dont need iron unless they end up with low iron which actually generally doesn't happen with the average breastfed baby until around 9 mos. I have had several with low iron. Most peds will check for low iron in breastfed babies at 9 mos. If your starting solids by that point and the babies iron is low , not ALL breast fed babies end up with low iron. There are plenty of ways to get iron enriched food in them without giving them baby cereal. I rather do that then baby cereal. Again, no I don't know everything , but Isabella is my eighth child, by this point I have pretty much been there and done everything and don't believe in giving baby cereal to my babies anymore.
Leanne - posted on 03/29/2009
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Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
are you going to give an iron supplement? by 6 months babies no longer have any reserve left and that is why cereal is introduced. Unless you are going to give supplements than that is different. I agree, I would talk to your ped.
Nicole - posted on 03/29/2009
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I started my girl on rice cereal just before 5 months- more to get used to texture and how to use her tongue for solids - it hasn't replaced any of her feeds - and ive been increasing this taste to a taste a couple of times a day. Everyone has an opinion - in reality listen to them and then decide what you want to do.....
Kim - posted on 03/28/2009
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Quoting Cheyenne:
Quoting Soffie:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
When a baby reaches 6 months old Breastfed or formula fed is no longer enough to meet there needs. u should introduce some sort of solid at 6 months. Talk to ur doc about it!
I was told by a lactation consultant that a babt can do just fine on only breastmilkup to a year......I'm sure it depends on the baby, but I believe it's possible.
You are absolutely right Chyenne there is absolutely no reason to introduce solids at 4 or 6 mos especially with breastfeeding. Even if I was formula feeding I wouldnt be jumping to do it that early either.
Kim - posted on 03/28/2009
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Quoting Soffie:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
When a baby reaches 6 months old Breastfed or formula fed is no longer enough to meet there needs. u should introduce some sort of solid at 6 months. Talk to ur doc about it!
Thanks Soffie,
Isabella is my 8th child I have delayed solids with the last 3 going on 4 and it works out just fine. I follow my baby's cues and there is absolutely no reason they should ever have cereal and solids are not necessary in a breastfed baby until they are 1, really ever. I appreciate your concern, but we believe and my peditrician is fine with delaying solids.
Cheyenne - posted on 03/28/2009
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Quoting Soffie:
Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
When a baby reaches 6 months old Breastfed or formula fed is no longer enough to meet there needs. u should introduce some sort of solid at 6 months. Talk to ur doc about it!
I was told by a lactation consultant that a babt can do just fine on only breastmilkup to a year......I'm sure it depends on the baby, but I believe it's possible.
Leanne - posted on 03/28/2009
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oh, the reason to start w/rice (read some other answers re: this).. is b/c it's the least likely to cause an intolerance.. if after 5 days they are ok w/it than move to barley/oatmeal and leaving mixed fruit until last.. hope this helps.. I have done ALOT of reading on this as it kind of stresses me out w/all this allergy stuff and I have called a dietician as well and spoke to them about this!
Leanne - posted on 03/28/2009
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my daughter was doing the same thing.. so 3 days b/f turning 5 months I started w/rice cereal - made by the "first feeding" on the box of nestle stage 1.. it was really runny - she loved it .. I am now morning and night 2 tbsp each feeding.. and just introduced oatmeal stage 1 in the a.m.. my Dr. assessed her at our last appt and said no reason not to start if I felt comfortable w/it. The big push for 6 mths is due to food allergies.. but if there isn't any w/you and her Dad than she should be ok.. just make sure to try rice first! Go w/your instinct and what she is showing
Marly - posted on 03/28/2009
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Specifically rice cereal or cereal in general. I feed my son rice (I just started and he hates it) but I heard that oatmeal infant cereal is the best one to start with as soon as she shows signs she is ready. Jack is 5 months yesterday and I have been in the process of introducing it since about 3 weeks ago. He shows interest in our foods, and is develpmentally ready, he just hates the taste...I am gonna keep working him though, haha.
Christian - posted on 03/28/2009
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becouse it is to hard on thier belly.
Jackie - posted on 03/27/2009
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My daughters pediatrician told me we could start her on cereal at her 4 month check up. She wasn't quite ready then though. She just started eating it about a week shy of 5 months. She loves it now she gets really excited when she eats the cereal. I haven't tried anything else yet. I was going to introduce oatmeal in a week and then when she is 6 months slowly start introducing other foods. Its ok to start them on food anywhere from 4-6months. Every doctor has a different opinion though. Do whatever is best for your baby.
Maryam - posted on 03/27/2009
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Check out wholesomebabyfood.com It provides a chart with suggestions for which foods are best to start with based on nutrients, consistency, and if they tend to cause allergies or not. I was suprised to find out that it recommends holding off on peas and carrots until after 6 - 8 months. You can also look up different fruits and veggies on that site and it will tell you age, nutrients, recipes, etc.
April - posted on 03/14/2009
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I started my DD on rice cereal at 4 months because she was drinking way too much formula. She seemed to have a hard time after the cereal in the beginning - very fussy. So I waited another week and she had no problems. She will be 5 months this week and will now take 3 tbsp 2-3 times a day of rice or barely cereal with no problems. We even tried her on peas for the first time today and she loved them.
You will know quite quickly after attempting cereal if she is ready for it. Start small and work your way up. My Dr didn't seem surprised for upset that she started cereal... I kinda did it without consulting him first. I have always been a strong believer that a mothers intuition will always come out on top.
Soffie - posted on 03/14/2009
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Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
When a baby reaches 6 months old Breastfed or formula fed is no longer enough to meet there needs. u should introduce some sort of solid at 6 months. Talk to ur doc about it!
Soffie - posted on 03/14/2009
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Quoting Kim:
We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
When a baby reaches 6 months old Breastfed or formula fed is no longer enough to meet there needs. u should introduce some sort of solid at 6 months. Talk to ur doc about it!
Soffie - posted on 03/14/2009
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My son was born Oct 31st so that would make him a little more than 4 months old an we have been on Oat cereal for 3 weeks only after a good feed off the breast at around 6-7 pm every night... I asked my doctor just this week if that was okay and he said that was fine. Why oat and not rice, well rice can constipate a baby and we were already having poopy problems before the cereal so i decided to start of with oat. He loves it and i'm just starting to do some cereal in the morning too, just a little. the doc tld me anytime between 4-6 months is a good time. My baby sits up on his own and is definetly sleeping better since i;ve started the cereal.
Stephanie - posted on 03/13/2009
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I startied my daughter who is 4months old on rice ceral on dec 23 2008 she was born on oct 31 2008. I would put it in her bottle in the morning and before she went to bed. WIC told me to start spoon feeding her at 3 months old. Then her Doctor told me to start feed her fruits and vegtables and oatmeal.
Kayla - posted on 03/13/2009
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i started both my kids on rice cereal at almost 4 months, and they are both great!
Kim - posted on 03/12/2009
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We haven't started nor will we do cereal at all. We will start solids probably around 9 mos and I am not sure what capicity it will be. We will cross that bridge when we get to it.
Angel - posted on 03/12/2009
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My son is 4 1/2 months now. We had is 4 month wellness check last week and I was holding off until that to give him cereal. My ped. said that I could if I wanted to but if I could hold off until 5 months would be better. my son is not hurting for height or weight (26.5" and 18.2 lbs at his checkup). So it isn't necessary to start him on anything. There is a history of food allergies on my side of the family so waiting is worth it to me. But my ped said anytime between 4 and 6 months. So if youi feel your child is ready I say go for it.
Paige - posted on 03/11/2009
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My daughter was born on october 10, and by the middle of december she was eating rice cereal twice a day morning and before bed, and about 2 ozs...If you feel like your daughter is hungry , and the milk isn't doing her any good, try her on cereal....she's your child, do what's best for her, not for them...
Start with a little at a time, and gently increase her feedings, I think that you'll find a difference at nite as well....
good luck.
Leanne - posted on 03/11/2009
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I hear you - mine is going through the same thing Katie. They say not until 6 months now due to food allergies - but rice is mostly water and nothing in it to give an allergy, however it can constipate (so I have been told). My girlfriend's 1st was born 7 years ago and they started cereal at 4 months back then, she had twins 3 years ago and it was 6 months. I say do what you have to do. I haven't started Addison on it yet - waiting until after her Dr's appt this week as I am going to bounce it off my Doctor. I posted the same thing in my own circle of mom's and many have started them before 6 months. It's really up to you and what is the best for you and your daughter! good luck!
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