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

Karen - posted on 10/15/2009

my kid where the same i did it in the morning and the last bottle before bed my kids slept all night and my kids by three months where havin wheatbix 1 in the morning and 1 at our tea

Gina - posted on 10/15/2009

Hi Yaritza how are you Iam Gina & I started giving my daughter ceareal @ 3 months she loved it took to the spoon right away my doctors told meto wait a few months others told me when you were a child we gave it to you and you are fine .... the only thing i really want you to watch out for PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU PUTIT IN THE BOTTEL children like to drink there bottels real fast the ceareal is thick Nattallia chocked 1 time on it .. so from there on in i just gave it to her with a spoon followed with a bottel i gave her A few spoon fulls@ 1st mixed with some breastmilk 2times a day for breakfast and then again at dinner b 4 i knew it she was wanting more ... but please be sooooooo careful with putting anything in the bottleother than beast milk or formular .. i hope this helped you out a lilttle better.Nattallia is 1 know and she eats everything my husband & i eat she is a excellent eater ... i believe that its cause i started her early and gradually started giving her lots of fruits and veggys the best thing you can buy is a baby grinder i gave her all fresh foods grinded up she loved them it was so much better for her as well gOOD LUCK GINA

Beth - posted on 10/15/2009

Every baby is different.. Aways talk to your DR about this regarding your child!

Cheyrl - posted on 10/15/2009

u dont need to put cereal in a bottle m8 i gave my baby at 2 mths weetabix in a bowl so he can learn to eat out of a bowl with spoon and its best morning for cereal and use rusks in ur babys milk keep them fuller for longer just sprinkle 3/4 rusk and away u go hope i ave helped u x

Nikki - posted on 10/15/2009

You really have to go on your instincts. All kids are different. I started my daughter on cereal when she was 3 months. I never put it in her bottle. I mixed it with her formula F& spoon fed her. She is now 5 and has had no health problems. In the long run it is your decision. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Amie - posted on 10/15/2009

I agree with people who said don't put cereal in a bottle, but as far as when to introduce solids I believe this depends on the individual child. I have a friend whose son was over 11 pounds when he was born she found he never settled and was always hungry. She started him on solids at about 8 weeks I thought this was very young but straight away he was a happier child. I had a child who got her first tooth at 3 months as she was chewing (on her hands and fingers) she was started on solids, again she slept through the night straight away. I think most babies can start on solids around 4 months but this is up to you and your child. Also my children were never really fond of cereal so we started on strained fruit or vegetables.

Beverly - posted on 10/15/2009

my son was not being filled with just formula so i consulted his dr and he said to go ahead and give him cereal in his bottle. he was 2 weeks old. all kids are differnt but i think theres nothing wrong with putting the cereal in the bottle. i did it with all 3 of my kids and their all healthy and my daughter done it with my grandson when he was an infant nad he's 2 years old now. i gave it to them in the am for breakfst and then at bedtime so they would sleep good.

Claire - posted on 10/14/2009

i started weaning my son when he was just under 4 months, they say not to start weaning till 6 months but my son was looking for solids. go by what ur child is telling u and no one else. start off by giving it once a day and work ur way up, but feed it off a spoon and not a bottle as it cud cause ur child to choke and doctors and health visitors do not advice it. good luck

Jessica - posted on 10/14/2009

My babys doctor told me no to start until he was 4months old.. and you dnt put the ceral in the bottle.. You are suppose to use a spoon.. And i was also told that the cearal and the baby foods want make them sleep longer...

Helen - posted on 10/14/2009

I gave my son baby rice from 11 weeks as he was hungry, but I did make it very sloppy and fed him with a spoon. Just trust your own instincts.

Rebecca - posted on 10/14/2009

I would wait til the 4 month appt and ask the doctor.

Crystal - posted on 10/14/2009

you shouldn't. it won't make your child sleep any better and it can cause unhealthy weight gain. there are instuctions on the box of cereal it is meant for intoducing your baby to solid foods. you should talk to your doctor when and how.

Rochelle - posted on 10/14/2009

My baby is 9weeks and my pediatrician has had him on cereal since he was two weeks, but only at night and no more than 3-4 teaspoons in 24hrs. I will warn u though it causes constipation....

Beth - posted on 10/14/2009

Quoting Monica:

...i think at this point in time she gets all she needs from me and the other food is just for her learning how to eat not for the nutrition.

VERY, VERY important point. If you were to check on the actual nutritional value of MANY baby foods, there isn't much at all. Some are fortified with vitamins but so is formula.

Beth - posted on 10/14/2009

It is a myth that cereal will help a baby sleep better. It is pure simple carbohydrate -- formula is a complex mixture of nutrients and most pediatricians frown on putting anything but breast milk or formula in an infant's bottle. Has your pediatrician said your child is ready to start on solid food? Most don't do that till 4-6 months. Is he or she acting like the bottle isn't enough? Have you increased the amount of formula you give at each feeding to make sure the baby is getting enough calories?

Twyla - posted on 10/14/2009

6 weeks old they can hav rice cereal . my babies ate 2 jars of baby food fruit in a feeder daily , when they turned 3 months .. wait on the bananas till 4 and half months , makes their stomach hurt .

Lisa - posted on 10/14/2009

ok putting cereal in a bottle is not going to choke your child until u have a hole so big in the nipple that they just get to much..

Lisa - posted on 10/14/2009

i started my baby on cereal around 3 mths and it helped her sleep all night.. what i did was i put it in a feeder and not her bottle. i took out 2ounces of her milk and poured it in a bowl. then i put some cereal in with it.. keep it runney so the baby can get it out..but if u want to put in the bottle put and 2 spoons in the bottle but u may have to make a bigger hole in the nipple

Tamara - posted on 10/14/2009

Never. You are to NEVER EVER EVER EVER give cereal in a bottle. It's a choking hazard, can lead to obesity, diabetes, and a host of other problems. Only breastmilk or, if needs be, formula is to be given for a MINIMUM of the first 6 months of life. Only after a minimum of 6 months has passed can you introduce solid foods.

Nicole - posted on 10/14/2009

there are thickerns and cerals thickerns go in the bottle and thats really only if the back isn't putting on enough weight.Over in Aus we dont give ceral till about 3-4 months and you mix it with breast milk or formula two teaspoons in a bowl to a runny slop and spoon feed then if they have two weeks on that try a tiny bit of mashed banana in the ceral but not really before 6months it's what you learn after 3 kids

Soffie - posted on 10/14/2009

I disagree with cereal in a bottle! But introduces oat cereal to my son in the 4th months

Cassie - posted on 10/14/2009

I have 2 very healthy kiddos and I started both of them with cereal in their bottles between 3 and 4 months. I didn't put a lot in there, but enought to help them feel full. My son about 3 mo. started sleeping through the night until about 5 in the morning. My daughter around 4 mo. and she as well started sleeping through the night. They were waking up because they were hungry, the cereal helps them stay fuller longer. Also I noticed that their attitudes were much happier, as they were getting a better night sleep. I do think that all kids are different, my son was eating baby food and cereal at about 4.5 or 5 mo. But my daughter wasn't really interested until she was 5.5, almost 6 mo.



BTW I should mention that both of my kids were born 9 lbs 9 oz, and they were both 2 weeks early. Some people have said that this can cause obesity. My son especially, was and still is sometimes a very big eater. However, he is very fit and very active and not overweight at all. He is 53 inches tall and 68 lbs at 6yrs old, his Ped. says he is big for his age, but perportioned, hes not even chubby! So you never can be sure!

Trina - posted on 10/14/2009

The AAP says you don't put cereal in a bottle. They can choke on it. You give them cereal in a bowl with a spoon when they are 6 months old. If you have a large baby sometimes they can start as early as 4 months but they don't recommend it until 6 months.

Clare - posted on 10/14/2009

Hi, I'm a well child nurse and would really recommend you wait! This practice has been proven not to be good for the digestive system and can have long term implications for the digestive system.... Solids should be introduced around 6 months and not via the bottle, hope this helps, kind regards, Clare

Jenifer - posted on 10/14/2009

Straight from the baby cereal manufacturer (Gerber):
http://www.gerber.com/articles/Feeding_m...

Don't put any cereal in the bottle. Ever. Its a choking hazard, and won't make your baby sleep any longer.

Cara - posted on 10/14/2009

DONT DO IT! Babies aren't ready for solids till they can sit by themselves holding their head comfortably and start taking an interest in you eating. Introducing solids to early can lead to food allergies and child obesity. Seriously a bottle is enough. Sorry to be a downer but it really isn't advised. See your health nurse

Dolly - posted on 10/13/2009

feed her with a spoon it helps her learn better then it does with a bottle and it help them to get ready for soild foods too and it help her to watch you grab the spoon she is watching every thing your doing to learn from it i have 3 boys 3 2 and 6months and one on the way so i started feeding my kids when they wouldn't take the bottle i gave them rice cereal and baby food for begainers and now my 6month old trys to take the spoon from me but if you put them in there walker and give them a graber cookie for toddlers it help them reach for thing and help them out in a way too i did this with all my kids and they are all really smart kids too and you don't away got to give them milk give me koolaid or pop or jucie or water or pepermint water for the tast it help too and for teething give them teething tables they work really great and got but them a sucker and let them lick it they like every thing you do oh yeah your doctor will tell you not to gave them any thing like that becuz it bad for them my kids a happy healthy and their just fine so if you don't think milk is felling them up giving them something else that will i know cholatce milk work great to and do for get to warm it up

Curi - posted on 10/13/2009

i would wait atleast 1 more month because the baby may not be ready yet. We started at 4 months and did it right out of a bowl and spoon she did great! your not suppose to til like 5 or 6 but sometimes you need to start earlier. If the baby is whinnie and not sleeping all the way through the night. We didnt consult the doc like your suppose to, but she is doing good anyways.

Mauri - posted on 10/13/2009

I started my baby girl out on cereal in her bottle at 2 weeks i put like two of the formula scoops to 2 oz of formula and fill the rest with water in a 5 oz bottle and then put it in a feeder bottle and it does just fine. go with your mother instinct... And thats right the doctors are not the ones up with them all night...Im in fact feedin her cereal in a bottle right now...

Cathy - posted on 10/13/2009

When my husband gave my daughter cereal at three months, she was constipated for three days, it was the worst experience. I wanted to wait but since he was an experienced dad I let him try it to see if she'd sleep longer night. Take your pediatrician's advice 5-6 months

Doris - posted on 10/13/2009

I raised 4 healthy children to adulthood. You should never put cereal in a bottle. Cereal should only be introduced when the dr advises it, usually around 6 mos. Only use barley cereal and start off w/a baby spoon and make it soupy. Only make a teaspoon of cereal when you start. Good luck w/your baby.

Tia - posted on 10/13/2009

I just did it at night so I wasnt waking up so much it fills the baby its up to you really theres not amount just so its a little thick so it still comes out of the nipple.

Samantha - posted on 10/13/2009

Doctors and books do not advise putting cereal in bottles at all. If you want to give cereal, mix it with formula or breasmilk and feed it with a spoon. I started doing this when my son was four months. I started with "dinner" - in the early evening. Then added a morning feeding at about five months. At six months I added baby food (I made my own, it was cheaper). It may take some time for your baby to get used to the spoon, but it's better for them to associate the spoon with food and the bottle with liquids (I'm sure there are other reasons too:). Good luck...

Christina - posted on 10/13/2009

My son has had cereal in a bottle since he was 3 weeks old...both of them. I know most doctors will tell you not to introduce solids but they are not the ones up all night with a hungry baby. I used to put a heaping table spoon in an 8 oz. bottle, just enough to thicken it up a little so that it stayed with him a little longer. If you decide to do it, make sure you are using plain rice cereal, don't get oatmeal or anything with fruit in it, it will be too rough on the baby's tummy.

Jessica - posted on 10/13/2009

it all depends on ur baby i wouldnt start the heavy ones like oatmeal. i would start out wit rice. when mine were still on a bottle i would make up an 8 oz bottle and just add lil by lil till i thought it was good and i just kept tryin till i fig out how much my baby wonted and i only done it at night.... but my friend put an oz of oatmeal to an 8 oz bottle every feedin.......hope this helps

Stephanie - posted on 10/13/2009

I introduced cereal to my daughter when she was 4 months. Right before I started her on solids (started my daughter at 5 months). But, I highly suggest not to give your baby cereal through a bottle. It is a hard one to break and it's just better to give it to them by the spoon. Also doctors have said it's a bad habit to start. So look into it before you do that.

Jenny - posted on 10/13/2009

my daughter started on cereal at 3 months because she was hungry. she had very runny rice cereal from a spoon. by nine months she was eating 2 weetbix and 2 slices of toast for breakfast. she has always been petite. current recommendation is to steer away from wheat products until after they are one

Tina Rene'e - posted on 10/13/2009

If your baby is still hungry after one feeding and they still seem hungry, then give another bottle maybe with 2-4 onces more of formula. This is common sense.



They will let you know when they are full. I have never put cereal in any of my babies bottles. I enjoyed holding them, even when they would get up in the middle of the night, as you can never get this time back. And yes, I had to get up for work as well.



And they do have special formula for babies who have stomach issues.



All in all, talk with your pediatrician.

Alison - posted on 10/13/2009

It is really dangerous to put cerial in a babies bottle as early as 3months. Babies are born with very small and developing stomachs,kidneys and livers and introducing any type of food to early is damaging. A baby of a young age is supposed to wake through the night for either a bottle or a breast. Unfortunatly as parents its our role to make these available on demand for our babies. My baby is now 7 months old and she is experiencing solids for the first time. As the saying goes "food before one is just for fun" Let your baby be a baby for as long as possible. They grow up so fast and before you know it she will be hounding you for Maccas LOL.. Take care

Syreeta - posted on 10/13/2009

yes gerber cereal is very good builds the child. Just put three scoops or so. The oatmeal and mixed fruits is very nice I have had it myself!

Kimberley - posted on 10/13/2009

I started my daughter on solids when she was draining all her bottles... thats a sign she wants more :)xxxx

Tara - posted on 10/13/2009

I HAVE 6 KIIDS.I STARTED AT 8 WEEKS...WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS GIVE IT ONLY AT BEDTIME,BECAUSE IF YOU GIVE IT THROUGH OUT THE DAY THEY WOULD DEMAND IT MORE AND IT WONT FILL THEM UP AS FAST.BUT THE REASON I SAY AT NIGHT IS THERE BELLIES ARE FULLER AND THEY SLEEP THROUGH OUT THE NIGHT.(WORKS WELL AFTER BATS TRY IT,IT WORKS)

Stephanie - posted on 10/13/2009

No one knows your baby like you do. First ask yourself 'Why should I start introducing cereal now'? If its to get your baby to sleep through the night, I would suggest playing classical music. If you want to try cereal, go ahead but most people wouldnt recommend using a bottle because the choking hazard increases. I started my son at 3 months as well and I spoon fed him. It was quite a mess at first but over time it worked much better! Dont let anyone tell you it can cause your baby to become obese! That is such a lie and should be the least of your worries! Start out with a very soupy/watery mixture of cereal and make it thicker as the weeks go on. Your baby will learn how to eat sooner and develop a love for food and textures! Good luck!

Carrie - posted on 10/13/2009

just to add my two cents: i think that rules often change in what should and should not be done by parents to care for their children. the advice changes annually. however, the reasons given of why NOT to put cereal in a baby's bottle are not based on a fad - but rather proven evidence. putting cereal in a bottle increases the risk of obesity, and affects the child learning to eat solids. young kiddos wake frequently (individual kids=individual frequencies); mine woke up every couple of hours and it was maddening.

but cereal does not make a child sleep longer. the parents that swear by the trick just have children that wake less frequently. the nutritional needs of your child are met with formula or breastmilk at that age, and nothing additional is needed (unless determined by your pediatrician).

i agree that you know your child(ren) better than anyone else. but knowing that they're hungry is one thing (and can be addressed at this age with simply more milk or formula) - deciding to pump that milk or formula with unnecessary calories (the cereal) despite the evidence of its harm and risk to children is something completely opposite.

Carrie - posted on 10/13/2009

Quoting karyn:

yes ecspecially before bed u can put it right in their bottle just poke a fork prong through the nipple. use about 2tbsp

poking a hole through the nipple can damange the nipple and cause your child to choke and possibly kill your baby NEVER NEVER NEVER add new holes or make any type of changes to a nipple please if you are doing this stop right away and throw away the altered nipples you can buy cross cut nipples in the baby section of any store please listen to this post i actually cried when i read this tell everyone you know never to do this if you don't believe me call your childs doctor or a local WIC office or anyone just don't cut the nipples cereal is not meant to be put into bottles that is why it cloggs the nipple

Karyn - posted on 10/13/2009

yes ecspecially before bed u can put it right in their bottle just poke a fork prong through the nipple. use about 2tbsp

Megan - posted on 10/13/2009

My baby just turned 3 months and his pediatrician told me to add a little cereal to his bottle because he was eating 4 ounces of milk every 2 hours. We had tried to get him to drink more than 4 oz. and he wouldn't do it. She had me add 1 1/2 scoops (that you get in a can of formula) to a 4 oz bottle to see if he would go longer in between feedings. If his pediatrician WOULD NOT have said to put cereal in his bottle, he would have been spoon fed it around 5-6 months. I haven't noticed that he sleeps longer at night (or during the day) at all. I think parents that add cereal just so their baby will "sleep longer or through the night" shouldn't be parents. They are BABIES after all, and it was YOUR CHOICE to have them. Don't rush them into growing up!!

With my other two kids, I was told NOT add cereal to the bottle. They were both spoon fed cereal around 5-6 months of age.

Darnecia - posted on 10/13/2009

I was told by my doctors and nutrionists that putting cereal in a bottle is dangerous..my son is four months and they told me to introduce cereal to him but only by spoon....

Jean - posted on 10/13/2009

all ive heard from doctors is that cereal should not be put into a bottle.mix it in a bowl with formula or breast milk. use your instincts and your babys cues, is the little one acting hungry? When in doubt, ask the pediatrician if you like him.

Mandy - posted on 10/13/2009

I was told from my daughters doctor that you shouldn't give your baby cereal in a bottle but feed it to them from a spoon. But ultimately you can use your own judgement and when you think your baby is ready for something besides formula or breast milk do it.