MY BABY iS 3 M0NTHS. CAN i START iNTR0DUCiNG CEREAl iN B0TTlE & H0W MUCH DURiNG THE DAY ??

~Jennifer - posted on 10/19/2009

Thank you, Ladies, for your responses to this thread.

Carolyn - posted on 10/19/2009

I gave my sona bottle with one table spoon or rice cereal at night before he went to bed when he was three months old. His doctor said that it was ok for me to give it to him. not only that he was going through almost 3 cans of formula in almost a week. I would ask your doctor. And when you do add the cereal make sure it can still come out of the nipple, when did it i used a fast flow nipple instead of tryin to make the whole bigger in the other nipples. best of luck to you!!

Carolyn - posted on 10/19/2009

I gave my son a bottle with one table spoon of rice cereal at night before he went to bed when he was three months old. His doctor said that it was ok for me to give it to him. not only that he was going through almost 3 cans of formula in almost a week. I would ask your doctor. And when you do add the cereal make sure it can still come out of the nipple, when i did it i used a fast flow nipple instead of tryin to make the hole bigger in the other nipples. best of luck to you!!

Hillary - posted on 10/19/2009

6 months is when a baby needs solids, and solids should NEVER be given in a bottle. no ifs ands or buts, might make them sleepy but is it worth it! NO SOLIDS IN BOTTLES

Tammy - posted on 10/19/2009

once a day i think is okay. rice cereal is the easiest on the tummy. depending on the amount of formula roughly 1 tablespoon for about 4 ounces is a pretty good consistency. when you add the morning cereal in a few weeks, its was always fun for me to spoon feed. It was always a pleasant time.

ANNETTE - posted on 10/19/2009

My daughter is 2yrs old. I gave her cereal at 3 mos. I used rice because it is very thin and easy to digest. I started off with 1-2 tablespoon in a 6oz bottle. I gave her cereal in the morning and at night just before bedtime. It really helped her sleep all night.

Kim - posted on 10/19/2009

to each is own. I have four girls whom I gave cereal and they are fine without the Dr. permission.

Hester - posted on 10/19/2009

I agree that you should never feed a baby cereal in a bottle, even though they make them for that purpose. I disagree that you need to wait until the doctor advises it. Each child is different. When the baby nurses a bottle of milk and does not seems satisfied for several hours, then I would say that that child needs more filling feedings. Make a rice cereal very thin and let the child eat it from a spoon. I would only advise that you do this at night before bedtime so that the child can sleep through the night and not wake because they are hungry.

Maria - posted on 10/19/2009

My children never came with a manual, and all 4 are very different. If you ask a Dr., they will tell you what they have to tell you. It took me a while, but I did learn to trust my instincts. You are a good mom. Use your instincts.

Jeannette - posted on 10/19/2009

You can introduce cereal at 4 mons old but not in the bottle. Spoon feed once a day.

Omega (Meg) - posted on 10/19/2009

We used both bottle and spoon. Both can work! Takes a little longer with spoon. They are just learning to use that tongue in a swallow back method.

Yolanda - posted on 10/19/2009

I am not an expert but i would put cereal and fruit in my daughter's bottle at 3 weeks and she is fine!! I would put two baby spoons of cereal and four of fruit like applesauce to make sure no constipation!! That was in four ounces of formula.

Omega (Meg) - posted on 10/19/2009

Start at noon feeding to make sure it sits well with the tummy. Work up to three times a day. One tablespoon per 4 oz of formula. Might need to adjust the hole in the nipple. My Grandmother was a nurse. She gave rice to her babies, my mother gave rice cereal to us, I gave rice cereal to my babies and my daughter gave rice cereal to our grandbabies.

Debora - posted on 10/19/2009

SORRY BUT YOU MISSPELLED BOTTLE IT SAY HOW MUCH IN BOTTIE WHICH MOST OF US PUT ONTO BABIES FEET.

Amber Lynne - posted on 10/19/2009

I also heard this, but when talking to my PED whom I love-he told me that it's not a good idea to put cereal into their bottles. He is fine with introing cereal around 3 months-but he likes to see solid foods always fed with a spoon rather than the solid feeder bottles and cereal in the bottles. He said it helps them transition to solid foods easier by teaching the different movements in the mouth from the get go. We tried it like he said-and it wasn't difficult. Made it very watery-and he seemed to like it. We started doing it just before bedtime, then added in breakfast, and lunch. Then went onto the veggies and so on.

Amy - posted on 10/19/2009

I gave my boys cereal in there bottle. Especially the first born ( which is 14) I was having to feed him every 2 hrs. beacause he was such a big boy. I started putting cereal in his bottle at 2 wks old. He was almost 9lbs. when he was born. The second child was a prem.(7yr.old) and I started giving it to him when he was 2m old. because he needed something thicker. And as for the last one,( which is 5) he got cereal in his bottle when the bottle wasn't enough. You can also try a enfantfeeder. Just make sure that if you use the cereal in a bottle that the nipple has a big hole! I always used rice cereal, it won't hurt there tummy so much with bad gas.

Rebecca - posted on 10/19/2009

good morning i raised 2 healthly childern and my experiance is i gave cereal rice cereal mixed wirh the formumula not to thick and it helped my babies sleep through the night!!!!!good luck on you decision they say dont put it in the bottle if your baby cant eat off spoon cut nipple little bitter for ceareal to go though !!! i would try it at night !!!! why are you thinking of doing this???? is you baby hungry????still after formula???? if so i dont see a problem just not fruit and veg.. in the baby food to early can form a allergic reaction good luck mom

Omega (Meg) - posted on 10/19/2009

I would use a spoon. Start with rice cereal, less chance of allergy. Only little bit at a time (1 tablespoon - soupy). Remember their tummies are only as big as their fists. Tummies stretch, but think of comfort.

Omega (Meg) - posted on 10/19/2009

We have four grown and healthy children and three grandchildren. Our doctors had us start our children on "rice" ceral at the age of 3 months and from there introduce veggies, a different kind two weeks at a time to check for allergies. Worked for us and them.

Kerrie - posted on 10/19/2009

My kids were starving at 1 month and drinking a full 8 ounce bottle......I had to start them off at 1 month but I started it off slow like two or three bites breakfast, lunch and dinner, then just moved up from there!!! I also made it soupy so their little tummys could handle it!!!!! Then once they were used to it and seemed to not be satisfied after eating a whole serving then I would just make it thicker.....I used the dry gerber cereals, rice only for the first three months that way they don't get accustom to getting that sweet taste of like fruits before they start eating veggies. Made that mistake and one of mine still won't eat veggies and she is twelve!!! Not to mention you never know if your baby is going to be allergic to a certain type of food. So one thing at a time.....like a week or two in between introducing a new food!!!!! I hope I helped a little....however advice is just that advice go with your gut mom you know when your baby is not satisfied after their meal or it isn't sticking with them long enough not anyone else!!! Your the only one with them 24/7.... :o)

Erin - posted on 10/18/2009

dont rush your baby into eating solids, wait, you and your baby will enjoy it more. but then again all kids are different my 1st son started at 5 months my daughter i waited until 6 and the bubba i got now is 6months and is just starting to have a little cereal at breakfast with a little puree apple. you know your baby and you know whats best for them, being a young mother of 3 and only being 23 myself i've grown to learn that bieng a great mum is learning through trail and error

Joan - posted on 10/18/2009

well i dont think so,,cause a baby can start eating when they reach the age of 4mos. BUT ya cant give him a cereal yet!!!when it comes to babies dnt give anything w/o consultin a pedia or anyone that have more experiences in babies,when he is 4 mos already why dont ya try some food thats natural and fresh like mashpotatoes,,vegies that are light so that ur baby's tummy can carry it.

Tanda - posted on 10/18/2009

I would NEVER give a baby solids before 6 months. I would never give my baby a bottle either, unless it was full of breastmilk. I recommend you do some research on the benefits of breastfeeding.

Gina - posted on 10/18/2009

You will find that at 6 weeks, 3 months and then in various intervals that your child will suddenly be hungry for more booby or bottle. This is normal, the baby is telling you something, I'm hungry give me more. If you are breast feeding you will feed every hour or so and they will do this for a few days then stop, thus increasing the amount of milk you produce. If they are bottle feeding just increase how much you give them. Alot of mums give up breast feeding at six weeks because they feel that their child is feeding all the time and not getting enough. Just persevere and it will pass, it is natural.

Rebekah - posted on 10/18/2009

It's really not very good to give babies ceral in a bottle. In fact you shouldn't introduce solids until at least 5 months ideally 6 months as their bellies/ digestive systems are not developed enough to process anything except breat milk or baby formula until then. If you are thinkg of doing it to try and get your baby to sleep through the night you can buy a formula called good night sleep which is suitable for small babies and wil help them feel full so they sleep well.

Dawn - posted on 10/18/2009

well iys up to you hun but there are cereal nipples for the bottle so you dont have to worry about choking. i made my son a 4oz bottle and added 2 tablespoons of rice cereal. and only gave it to him at night just before bed. and i started feeding him at 3 months. i hope this helps

Dawn - posted on 10/18/2009

well iys up to you hun but there are cereal nipples for the bottle so you dont have to worry about choking. i made my son a 4oz bottle and added 2 tablespoons of rice cereal. and only gave it to him at night just before bed. and i started feeding him at 3 months. i hope this helps

April - posted on 10/18/2009

Quoting Shelly:

Wow, everyone is a health care professional. -- Yaritza, feed your baby what you are comfortable with. I fed my babies cereal in a bottle and we had no problems -- and they did sleep better when they had full tummies.

No one is saying we are a doctor.  We are simply passing on information we were told about from our doctor and/or reading informational books written by doctors!

April - posted on 10/18/2009

DO NOT GIVE CEREAL TO A BABY IN A BOTTLE! Ask your doctor! It can get stuck in the bottle and not until a baby is about 4 mos should they receive anything other than formula or breastmilk due to their digestive system not being fully developed!

April - posted on 10/18/2009

DO NOT GIVE CEREAL TO A BABY IN A BOTTLE! Ask your doctor! It can get stuck in the bottle and not until a baby is about 4 mos should they receive anything other than formula or breastmilk due to their digestive system not being fully developed!

Shelly - posted on 10/18/2009

Wow, everyone is a health care professional. -- Yaritza, feed your baby what you are comfortable with. I fed my babies cereal in a bottle and we had no problems -- and they did sleep better when they had full tummies.

Adell - posted on 10/18/2009

I was always told to NEVER add cereal to the bottle. I started spoon-feeding my son cereal at 5-6 months. Before that he was breastfed only. He was holding his own spoon by six months. I just did it once a day and I fed him the cereal until he wasn't interested anymore. I just followed the directions on the package and made one serving until I got used to how much he ate and then I could just eyeball it. You have to do what works for you and your child, but I've heard that introducing solids too early can cause problems including childhood obesity. Just do your research and go with your mom instinct. Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 10/18/2009

why would you want to do that? dose he not seem happy with what he is getting all ready and how many oz is he getting? cause one that is not a good idea. ask your doctor and 2ent that is way to young at 6 months you can try and give it to him by a spoon. that is what i did adn i got 3 kids.

Liz - posted on 10/18/2009

My son was a very hungry baby, and I started putting half a teaspoon of cereal in his bottle once a day at the same age as your baby. It worked wonders and he started sleeping longer with his full belly. At about 3 1/2 months I started both my kids eating it very runny off a spoon and it hasn't hurt either of them, they are both healthy kids, neither of them are overweight either from starting them early. I also gave them boiled, then cooled water to help them process it better, just a few mls at one feed. I think that if they're hungry and milk alone isn't filling them up, you have to try something else, it's no use having them starving just because some people say you have to wait. Good luck!

Tami - posted on 10/18/2009

I went to college to become a doctor, so I've done my homework. I started all 3 of my children on rice cereal at 1 month. I gave them about 5 small spoonfuls before bedtime, followed by a bottle--and increased the amount as they got older and better at eating from a spoon. I used a spoon for two reasons: 1) many children already have a difficult time with digestion and extra fluid in the ears from feeding while reclined. I didn't see any need to increase possible problems. 2) Learning to eat from a spoon stimulates several different areas in the brain. It's great for them. You might find you have an early talker and smart kiddo later on. I'd like to throw in that starting cereal early does not "often result" in childhood obesity. All 3 of my children are healthy and fit. Lack of exercise, poor nutritional choices, and overeating result in obesity. Also, should you find that cereal causes your baby to have constipation, you will know your child's digestive tract isn't quite ready. Try it again in a month or so. Want some perks? After introducing cereal, all my kids started sleeping 12 hour nights, they didn't wake up famished, and they could go longer between milk feedings during the day. They are now 10, 8, and 5 and all 3 are in the challenge program at school. Don't let other people scare you. Do what you think is best for YOUR child. Good luck!

Carolyn - posted on 10/18/2009

After consulting your Doctor. You can do a trial and error. I personally do not agree with putting cereal in a bottle. If the child is hungry feed him by spoon. My son started on cereal at 2mo. He was literally hungry all the time. We started with morning feedings at just as little as 2T at first feeding of the day. Just to see the reaction he had; like constipation or throwing up that sort of thing. You do not want to do anything new in his diet and then go to bed. I strongly suggest monitoring any new changes in is routine of diet. If that goes well, then I would start implementing a lunch and then dinner. My son did well with the food, not so well with just the formula. We went through several before he was satisfied and full. He now is almost 6' and weighs about 120lbs. Healthy and strong. He was a fat baby, chubby toddler, when he turned about 3yrs. he started to slim down and did fine. His diet was always monitored by his Doctor and that helps. When people told he was fat, I would say he is healthy and happy ( Doctor approved). No child should be on a diet under 2yrs old unless ordered by a Physician. You will hear a lot of advise but, take and try to see what works for you. Best of luck and many blessings.

Jennifer - posted on 10/18/2009

I put cereal in both of my son's bottles when they were babies. They are now 7 and 5 and have had no health or weight problems because of it. I started with 1 tsp of rice cereal for every once of formula, but just at bedtime to try to get them to sleep longer through the night. (however, this can make them constipated.) So, once I found they could handle it, then I switched over to putting the oatmeal cereal in their bottle. I would just start out at bedtime. Or if you are on a long trip or away from home for awhile, then you could do it occassionally during the day.I also started regular baby food and feeding cereal to both my boys at about 4 months. There really is no set rule that you have to wait til 6 months, just whenever you think your child is ready(usually when they are able to hold their head up for long period of time or partially sit up) and doctor says ok.

Anusia - posted on 10/18/2009

i had three children started all three on cereal at age 3 months except do not put in bottle make it soup and feed it with spoon.lots of people say wait till 6 mos but if your baby wakes up alot at night try the cereal try it a couple of times see how baby does if no problems continue with cereal

Anusia - posted on 10/18/2009

i had three children started all three on cereal at age 3 months except do not put in bottle make it soup and feed it with spoon.lots of people say wait till 6 mos but if your baby wakes up alot at night try the cereal try it a couple of times see how baby does if no problems continue with cereal

Joy - posted on 10/18/2009

Ask your doctor, however, I started giving it to my son in his bottle when he was 2 months old. It helped him to stay full longer. Which in turn helped him to sleep.

Elizabeth - posted on 10/18/2009

6 months is too late to start babies on food. You should start them at 4 months on foods and cereal from a spoon so they can start getting used to textures and flavors. You wait too long and you are going to have a very picky eater on your hands.

Laurie - posted on 10/18/2009

Dr's don't like you to put cerael in the bottle because they're not the ones at home listening to a hungry baby cry. My mother did it for me and I did it for all 4 of my kids starting at 6 weeks. Put just a sprinkle of rice cerael. I should still be able to come out of the nipple. You will have to play with it. Depending on your baby, you can even move up one size on the nipple to allow more milk to come through. Only use rice cerael though, all the others are too rough for their tummies. Good Luck!

Lynda - posted on 10/18/2009

Hi, it is always tempting to rush feeding especially since everyone is an expert on your baby.!!

Best to wait until baby starts helping herself to food from your plate usually between 5-6 months then baby's intestines are ready for more solid food. given to early cereal can cause allergies and other digestive problems.

I have three healthy grown up children without allergies or food fads

Lynn - posted on 10/18/2009

I know things are different now, but I raised four healthy adults and working on grandchild seven, due in Jan. We all fed ceral as soon as mother's milk/formula was NOT enough fot the baby. Some at three months, others at six( 10#@birth). And, yes, we used a bottle that was handheld. We also did the bottle thing after trying to spoon feed first. Then put the leftover in the bottle and sit down to finish feeding, just like brestfeeding. Good for both of you. PS Use Rice ceral first.

Angela - posted on 10/18/2009

if your son is showing signs that he is ready for cereal go for it, my drs recommended starting cereal around 4 months but at 3 months my son had all the signs he was ready when we would eat he grabbed for our spoon or his little eyes were just glued to it, so at 3 months we introduced rice cereal very thin at first and in a bowl, you shouldn't put it in a bottle becuase its a choking hazard, but he loved it we told the drs we had done it afterward and that he was fine and they said it was ok. he was ready at 3 months and he was much happier and satisified we just mixed a couple baby spoons at a time with water to make it runny and then went from there on when to make it thicker, hope this helps good luck with your little one.

Rachelle - posted on 10/18/2009

I have 3 kids and I put a LITTLE bit of cereal in their bottles. If I remember it was around 4 months. I used about one-fourth of the scoop from the powdered formula container. Just an fyi, you might want to get the next size nipple for this because the cereal cloggs the smaller size and widening the hole with a knife doesn't work because it just goes back to regular size afterwards.

Elaine - posted on 10/18/2009

i have 4 kids now teens and older all 4 had cereal when they were like 2 to 3 months old, i got the rice cereal made it very mushy and thin and spoon fed them a little each night before their say 5-6 pm bottle, it was just enough solids to sit in tummy and no one got constipated threw up or choked. I didn't put in bottle I spoon fed it and by the time they were 6 months old there where eating a whole jar of rice cereal with aplesauce and bannanas and all of them slept through the night and None were overweight. A mother knows best had I listenedto my dr.s and not a friend who had 3 kids on no solids till 6 months I would have had screaming cranky hungry kids, my oldest screamed and cried and wanted to be fed every 2 hrs , drs said no more than 4 onces, when i told my friend she told me about the rice creal mixed with formula trick and guess what that first night he slept 5 hrs without another feeding he was happy content and so it continued. A mother knows whats best for her child usualy so if your kids hungry and formulas not cutting it try it . Good Luck!

Elizabeth - posted on 10/18/2009

A dr. doesn't recommend cereal in the bottle,but a good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold. I am on my 3rd son and have done it with all 3. You are ok to start doing it now. I started at 8 weeks with all 3 of mine. I use the formula scoop and do one more scoop than I do formula. So if it is a 6 oz bottle you do 3 scoops of formula and 4 of cereal. It makes it just thick enough.

Kim - posted on 10/18/2009

I agree withice Belcher. It helps make them sleep longer at night, but I think I waited until about 5 months. You will know when the formula or milk is not satisfying your baby.

Kim - posted on 10/18/2009

I agree withice Belcher. It helps make them sleep longer at night, but I think I waited until about 5 months. You will know when the formula or milk is not satisfying your baby.