How much, and how often do I give my son cereal?

Jowanna - posted on 12/14/2012

I started all 4 of my children with 2 oz. of rice cereal at 8 weeks old. By the time I went back to work they were sleeping all night as I spoonfed them right before the last bottle. Each child is different on tolerating increase. None were overweight and this seemed to ready them for solids at 5-6 months. If he seems to tolerate his portion and appears to want more then I would very gradually increase this. Everyone has different opinions on this subject.

Sandra - posted on 12/14/2012

The AAP et al don't have to put up with a child who is hungry. Do what you think is right for your child. Most of these so called experts have never had children. No food allergies in our family and no picky children either.

Sally - posted on 12/13/2012

The AAP recommends no solids for at least 6 months and the WHO recommends waiting at least one year. Feeding solids too soon is the fastest easiest way to give your child food allergies and intolerances.

Sandra - posted on 12/13/2012

I had five children, and I maintain the sooner you can get them on three feeds a day and milk later on at night and sleeping all night the better off everyone is, my Mother, Grandmother and great grandmother did this and I have done it with my children who have done it with my grandchildren and great grand child. Old fashioned? Maybe but in my opinion it's a win win situation.

Robyn - posted on 12/13/2012

I waited until 6 mos. before giving my daughter and solids and even then we skipped the cereal. Baby cereal really has no nutritional value.

Daniela - posted on 12/13/2012

Hello,I am a mother of 3 boys ,my boys are bigger now ,they are really healthy and loves all foods ,and no allergies to any foods,and just like you I have started with cereal around 3 month old.I personally think that if the baby loves the taste of them you can give it to him a bit before his bottle of milk or before nursing ,about 2 times daily after always check to make sure that all his bowel movement are ok ,if you ever notice that is having hard time with that then you can add some more milk on the cereal make them like a supe,if yes you can ad a bit more or try even try different foods,at least every 2 weeks something different to see his reaction in tiny portions.Always check that his tummy doesn;t upsets him. It has been an amazing time for me and my babies ,they were always happy to try a new taste :):)good luck:):) and remember that by the time is 1 year old you would love that he will be able to eat a lot of kinds of food,and not only a few kind.

Holly - posted on 12/13/2012

i would stick with once a day for a while... then gradually move up to maybe 2 when the baby is 4-5 months old... keep in mind rice cereal is the easiest on a baby's tummy... I kept cereal pretty watery for a while... kind of the consistency of pancake batter (maybe even more runny)... it was mostly to keep the baby full over night... i started feeding baby food during the day when we would eat meals, when the baby started acting as though she was interested in doing so... which was about 5 months... once she started getting more teeth and had the ability to chew adequately i switched to soft solids, soft potatoes, soft avocados, banana's, sweet potatoes, and gradually worked up to other things peaches, plums, diced up hot dogs, i always loved giving them SUPER MESSY foods such as spaghetti and meat balls (i made sure to make the meatballs super soft and cheesy and cut them into 4 pieces) i loved taking pictures of my messy babies! i just made sure to get them in nothing but a diaper first

Sabrina - posted on 12/12/2012

i mean't two oz of water, one scoop formula and enough cereal so the formula isn't liquidy, but not think either.

Holly - posted on 12/12/2012

perhaps she meant with the milk that she mixes in it equals that much... when i made cereal for my kids (when they were 4mo) it would be close to the same consistency as the formula itself.... but i might have given them close to 2oz of this mixture...

Holly - posted on 12/12/2012

i do agree with the fact thata quarter cup a day of cereal at 3.5 months is a bit excessive... it might block him up

Dove - posted on 12/12/2012

Eh... my son was walking at 9 months, but didn't have solids more than once a day (or even solids at all EVERY day) til a year... His older siblings were eating grilled cheese and hot dogs (cut up, of course) before 11 months. Every kid IS different, but starting with a quarter of a cup at 3.5 months IS a LOT. My older ones did start at 3.5 months, but even they weren't eating 3 times/day at 6 months. Only once, maybe twice.

Holly - posted on 12/12/2012

i started only giving them cereal at bed time before i gave them their bedtime milk when they were 4 months... but at 6months i started actually giving them baby food 3 times a day and bottles in between. by the time they were a year old they were already EATING, and i mean sandwiches and bananas and peaches and plums and actual food... i couldn't IMAGINE just starting out giving them food in place of formula... perhaps i did it wrong, but they WANTED food and they were DEFINITELY ready for it. i mean i couldn't imagine my 8month old walking baby STILL mostly taking bottle/breast, and only EATING once a day.

Dove - posted on 12/12/2012

Considering he really shouldn't be having any for at least another 1-3 months.... He is already having a lot more than he should be. What you are giving him now is more than enough even at 6-7 months old.



Solids are not supposed to replace breast milk or formula until around a year, so once a day is plenty until 6-8 months... or even later for some babies.