Can I mix unsweetened apple juice with baby cereal?

Rosa - posted on 01/17/2012

wow people need to realize that not all kids are the same. Yea sometimes doctors opinions are way off but sometimes its for the good of the baby. At my youngest 4month appt her doctor said to start her on solids (he suggested pumpkin pie on thanksgiving) My mom has been giving my daughter solid or broth since she was 2 months. And she loves everything she eats from fruits to veggies and even the nasty stuff I won't touch lol she eaten the broth from goat meat and a broth that had cows feet and cow's stomach gross but she loved it and is a very healthy kid. Just go with your gut if the kid wont eat it switch to something else just space out the time between different foods. Just remember moms out there that EVERY KID IS DIFFERENT and every opinion is different. Just because it worked for you doesnt mean is going to work with every kid. these moms are asking for opinions not wanting you to tell them what to do. Geez

Laura - posted on 01/16/2012

I didn't have the problems that you had with having to feed my kids early but when it came to the cereal I couldn't get them to eat it so I did mix some baby food with cereal so they would and they ate that just fine. But it's really about individual needs. Try the juice if that doesn't work then try the food. I tried many things before I figured it out lol

Kaitlin - posted on 01/16/2012

I would probably get a second opinion that you HAVE to start your child on solids. That's odd.



As far as mixing it with juice, I would stay away from apple juice.There is no need, and apple juice is one of the worst to start with- even no sugar added real apple juice (not cocktail) have too much sugar and are not good for babies- try something more nutrient rich.



Try breastmilk or formula. Has he tasted it plain (with water or breastmilk or formula?) Avoid introducing 'sweet' flavors until as late as possible- there's no need to. You can try gradually mixing in pureed veggies or fruits (great ones to start with are bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, all high in nutrients, mild in flavor and easy on new tummies). to add flavor and texture if he does not like the plain rice cereal or baby oatmeal (my boys like the Gerber oatmeal better than rice cereal, and it's way better for them- WIN).

Good luck!

Joy - posted on 01/16/2012

My concern with the water (because I thought of that too) is that water has absolutely no nutritional value at this point, compared to apple juice. Water is just water. Now, I would consider that if he weren't taking in enough formula and I wanted to make sure he was not getting dehydrated. But since that is not the case, I want to give him something that is just more than just water.

Bonnie - posted on 01/16/2012

If you are going to start with cereal. I would just mix it with water.

Joy - posted on 01/15/2012

Bananas didn't quite agree with him (not surprised, I'm allergic to them too). He seems to like veggies, especially carrots of course because they are naturally sweet. But he does eat everything else, including veggies. But I did try apple juice in his cereal and he ate it up. I believe as long as he eats his veggies too like he does, then I don't see too much of a problem. But I did start with veggies before fruits just in case. Thanks ladies.

Medic - posted on 01/15/2012

My kids ate what I gave them and both of their first foods were avacados, sweet potatoes, and bananas.

Krista - posted on 01/15/2012

YES you can BUT can I suggest against it? Anyone with experience with suggest not giving your infant fruit right away. Try to stick to vegetables for awhile. Reason being, fruit is much sweeter and tastier and babies know it. If you make their food taste sweet, they will realize they dont have to eat that terrible cereal. At this age, they dont know any different, so why allow them to chose?

Medic - posted on 01/15/2012

Both of my kids were on a liquid vitamin that had iron in it.

Joy - posted on 01/15/2012

True. I was concerned about whether he should have rice cereal or just baby food. I have been attempting to give him both. He prefers baby food over the cereal, I just worry about how much iron he is getting since the cereal is iron fortified and he is bottle fed because I was unable to breast feed. I have an iron deficiency myself, and with my boys, I want to make sure that they don't have to suffer that as well.

Medic - posted on 01/15/2012

I would not mix it with cereal. Why not just start with foods? At least that way he would be getting some nutrition, not just wasted calories.

Tasha - posted on 01/15/2012

Really there is no difference that I have found besides the packaging. It would be the same as if you have taken a whole fruit or veggie and put it in a baby blender to make your own.

Joy - posted on 01/15/2012

I appreciate you taking the time to read my post and respond. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to cause any problems. So you might be able to answer this question? What is the difference between baby food applesauce and treetop unsweetened applesauce? Is there any difference? It looks to be the same texture and it is unsweetened.

Tasha - posted on 01/14/2012

My girls started cereal early. One was only a month old... dr told us to because she needed something heavier on her tummy to stop her acid reflux. Apple juice or any other type of juice is great to mix in. You can water it down if you like but you really don't have to since its mixed with something. You can also use a little bit of stage one fruits and mix the cereal into that. Thats the only way my son would eat the cereal. Good luck!