To feed rice cereal or to not feed rice cereal?

Ashly - posted on 11/06/2011

I didn't know anything about what to feed and when to start feeding due to the fact that this is my first child. My son is 4 months and and 2 weeks old. I went into the doctor for his 4 month well-check and vaccines 2 weeks ago. When I was there the doctor told me to start him on baby rice cereal twice daily. He said start out with a teaspoon of cereal with 1oz. of breast milk, (because he is breast fed) and every other day increase the cereal amount by one teaspoon. My baby weighed 7lbs 2 oz when he was born at this last visit he weighed 15lbs. 3 oz. so according to some that's a good sign to start solids since he doubled his weight. I was hesitant at first because he was doing fine on nursing alone. He was still doing the tongue thrusting when I first started feeding him the cereal, (which I had no idea about until reading some of your posts) my doctor never mentioned it. He has been on cereal for 2 weeks now and is up to 7 teaspoons twice a day. He doesn't really do the tongue thrust anymore he sucks it off the spoon a lot now. It took him a bit to get use to how to eat it, but he was eager from the beginning once he got enough in and down to taste it and realize it was yummy. So really I think you should do what your doctor says. I can't say my baby was quite ready for cereal, but he is now and he isn't really messy with it anymore (because less tongue thrusting occurs now). I never even knew to look for signs of my baby being ready. I just know that I listened to the doctor and he is fine and happy. He even looks forward to his cereal time now.

Keersten - posted on 01/14/2009

We didn't start until 4 months. It's always best to check with a pediatrician first.

Kerryn - posted on 01/14/2009

Best thing is to check with the doctor that knows your baby.....particularly if you have asma, eczema, or allergies in the family. It was suggested to me to increase my supply rather than introduce solids so that the chance of allergies were reduced significantly.

Shannon - posted on 01/13/2009

My son was 12 weeks when he went on cereal... he is also breastfed... and would grab at forks, spoons etc whenever we ate, plus I was still nursing him every 60 to 90 minutes at 12 weeks. We spoke to his pediatrician and he agreed we could try it, he was already a gassy kid, what could it hurt. The rice cereal actually toned down his gassiness, and he was able to go a whole 2 to 3 hours without having to eat again!! I was extatic since it meant I could do something around the house without him attached to me!!

He is now 20 weeks, eats oatmeal mixed with fruit or veggies mixed with rice twice a day... still nurses or takes a 6 oz bottles 6 to 8 times a day. He is almost 18lbs, and 29 inches in length... he loves to eat.

Ultimately, it is your choice, but I would recommend speaking to her doctor prior to starting anything.

Holly - posted on 01/13/2009

I asked my baby's Ped at about 3 months.  They said as long as it was plain its would be okay.  I would try a little.  Or just give the baby's doc a call in the morning.  That's what they are there for.

Alice - posted on 01/13/2009

The closer to 6months you can wait the better (but definitely not before 4 months)! I did breast feed both of my boys and they went in and out of times when they ate more and when they didn't eat a lot. I did end up supplementing briefly with formula with my second son, but that was short lived. Babies digestive systems don't fully mature until around six months, so you could end up with gas/spit up problems if you start too early. Also, you can increase the risk of allergies if you start too early. There's a great book that I followed with both of my boys and will continue to use with any others I have. Its called Super Baby Food. She talks about each stage month to month, what to feed when and why. I swear by this book...both of my sisters used it as well. Good luck!

Michelle - posted on 01/13/2009

Perhaps you could supplement with formula?  I would wait on the rice cereal until a least 4 months.  Waiting for trice cereal and other solids helps prevent your child having allergies.

Diane - posted on 01/13/2009

I did not breast feed.  However, my son began getting  2 tbsp. ofoatmeal cereal or rice cereal in his formula at 3 months.  The main reason was because he spit up a lot and his pediatrician felt that the cereal would help and it did.  If it comforts you, you might be interested in getting one of those wedge/incline things they sell to prop her up a bit.  They can be found at Babies R Us or any baby stores.  I have attached a link for you to view it..  If you cannot click on it, then copy and paste it.  I used it for my son.  You put it between the sheets and the mattress so it is safe. 

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp...

I began spoon feeding him the cereal at 5 months.