When is it best to start giving my baby cereal in her bottle?

Katharyne - posted on 08/23/2012

she can have the cereal when she she is 4 months old but feed it to her never put it in a bottle its not good for the baby the cereal can get get stuck and or choke ur little girl

Lacie - posted on 08/22/2012

I think it is interesting that so many people say absolutely NOT to put cereal in a babies bottle when my pediatrician had me expressing my milk and putting a teaspoon per ounce in every bottle from the time my son was 1 week old because he was cluster feeding around the clock. We didn't stop doing that until he was 2 months. He grew almost 6 inches in length in that time and I'm positive that had we not put the cereal in his bottles my milk supply would not have sufficed. After we stopped putting cereal in his bottles he has continued to grow at such a fast rate that by 3 months he is already almost 30 inches in height and in the one month he has been off the rice cereal he has gained almost 4 pounds in weight. Since he has begun to want to eat more often and is waking for night time feedings again (even though he has been getting 8oz bottles every 4 hours during the day for some time now) and regardless of the fact that he is only 3 months old, my pediatrician has advised me to start making him a bowl of rice cereal with his bedtime bottle. I'm pretty sure it's a case by case issue and if you feel baby is showing signs of wanting more then as the good mom you are it's ok to follow your instincts. Of course you should consult your doctor but doctors don't know everything and they don't spend all day every day with your child like you do. I will advise this, if you, your baby, or anyone in your family has any issue with milk including excess mucus, do not use Gerber rice cereal. It is milk based and will exacerbate any milk issue your child has and it can cause a milk allergy or intolerance. Beechnut rice cereal is dairy free and has no additives. Best of wishes for your little one and all babies world wide :)

Danielle - posted on 11/17/2009

Ok, first of all, there is no proof that feeding a baby cereal at an early age will have any adverse affects at all. People say it causes allergies or intestinal problems but different people are prone to different problems. There is really no way to know if they would've had the allergies anyway. I started mine at 2 and a half months because of reflux and to keep from feeding her more than the 5 ounces i was feeding her every 3 hours. My dr said a baby should only drink half their body weight in ounces at once and she weighed like 11 pounds. I figure adding some weight should keep them satisfied longer without stretching their little stomach. I add a tsp to every BOTTLE and i've had no problem. I do use the nipples with the smallest hole... maybe people who's baby is choking are using a larger hole thinking it's too thick to come through the regular ones. I just use the little pipe cleaner thingy to poke it through the hole to make sure it isn't clogged. Seriously, don't worry about it. I don't know how spaced her feedings are but that may be something to think about if you're worried about the weight. If the bottle is thicker you could give the same ounces but space the feeding more to prevent her from gaining too much weight. Oh, and i'll point out that certain formulas have added rice too so if it's okay to give a baby that, it should be fine to add it yourself to whatever formula you use. Good luck!

Jillian - posted on 11/17/2009

Angela,

Every mother is different and every child is different. My daughter slept through the night from the time she was one month old I would have to wake her for feedings. I started putting cereal in her bottle at 3 months and she didn't gain too much weight. She was 6 lbs. 8 oz. at birth. She's 23 months old now and weighs 25 lbs and 44 inches in height. I'm petite so I feel she will always be a petite child. As a mother you have to do things you feel are best for your child and at the advice of your pediatrican.

Kristi - posted on 11/17/2009

The best policy is to ask your pediatrician. Ours told me not to ever put cereal in a bottle because it could pose a choking hazard. Just to be safe ask the doc.

Chris - posted on 11/15/2009

I think the "going age" is about 4 m.... don't put cereal in a bottle! just use a spoon...

Jessy - posted on 11/15/2009

I would talk to the doctor about that because some say babies can choke if you put the cereal in the bottle, just fed my baby with spoon to be safe.

Jessica - posted on 11/14/2009

never from a bottle, that is the first issue. feeding from a bottle is for formula and breast milk only. even when they are old enough to have juice and water, it should always be from a sippy cup. obviously other than an occasional bottle of water throughtout the night if needed.
as for the age, it is all up to you in the end but you should talk to the doctor. if you start too early then there could be major problems with your childs health as they get older, the same thing goes for starting them too late. On average you should start feeding solids at aprox.. 6mths old, it does all depend on the child so make sure to talk to the doctor because sometimes its better to start them off at 4.5mths+. Its not the best idea to feed solids before that age due to the problems that can arise. But then again, this is just my opinion.

I will however stress once more, do not feed the cereal from a bottle, a spoon is the only way to go.

ARIANE - posted on 11/13/2009

around 4-5 months but never feed baby cereal from bottle ....always from spoon

Ashley - posted on 11/13/2009

i wouldnt do it. there's no need to at that age. my son is 4 1/2 months and i actually just started him on cereal today. he is now to the point where just formula isnt filling him anymore. he's been eating about 8 ounces every 2-3 hrs for the past couple of days and not sleeping as well at night like he used to. he was 9 pounds from birth but formulay was fine til now. i personally wouldnt do it but everyone does things their own way. i would atleast talk to your doctor about it first

Kellie - posted on 11/13/2009

my daughter was going through 2 tins of formula a week when she was 3weeks old we couldn't fill her up she just fed constantly so we would put just a small amount in her bottle to fill her up rite from 3 weeks old, it never hurt her in anyway as it was such a small amount just to thicken the milk this is also used for babies that have reflux. but if your instinct is not to do it then dont, there is no manual for parenting, it is trial and error go with your gut mother knows best

Carolee - posted on 11/13/2009

I started my son at 4 months.

Carla - posted on 11/13/2009

cereal in a bottle can be a choking hazard. When a baby is old enough to eat cereal they can eat it from a spoon. My dd was 3 1/2 months, my son was 4 1/2 months. Early I know but they were hungry babies.

Julie - posted on 11/13/2009

I have 4 children and I started giving them all cereal at 2 weeks old from a spoon. You as the mother is the only one that can make the choice to when your child is ready to start cereal. Every person has their own opinion and some follow the doctors direct orders and others read articles, but us as moms need to remember that they are just all suggestions and no person knows your own child better then you. You need to follow what you feel is right. But do listen when everyone says NOT to put the cereal in the bottle. Good Luck

Adriane - posted on 11/13/2009

As a mother and a nurse... I would not put cereal in her bottle at night.. I would sing and play with my little one get her all excited and moving for a good 30min then give her a luke warm bath then put her to bed. she slept great.. That may not work for your little one but putting cereal in their bottle will not guarantee she will sleep all night. It just may give her a tummy ache.. Just some things to think about..

Kayla - posted on 11/13/2009

you never put it in a bottle these days there is so many bad why they say not to!! if your baby just seems like she is not happy with just a bottle then just give her a little cereal!! why ask the doctor do they know how you baby is everyday!! only you know and trust me you will just know when to add it!! my youngest is 7 months and just started stage 2 and she drinks a bottle she is a pig but she only weighs 14lbs! it all depends on you and then baby!!

Katrina - posted on 11/13/2009

Don't put cereal in her bottle. That was not good advise. It is right for you to be worried about weight gain, b/c cereal in bottles gives the baby extra calories that they don't need. Also, starting solids too early, or before they are ready, can cause food allergies and intestinal problems. First ask your pediatrician before changing anything. He/she will be able to tell you all the reasons not to do it. My advice is to wait until your child shows signs of readiness such as sitting up well, using their pincher grap to pick up small items (using their thumb and index finger), and grabbing at your food or clearly showing interest.

I know how much good intentioned advise you will get from everyone, but times change and we learn more and more as time goes on. Now-a-days it is known that starting solids early is not good for the baby and that they are not ready until about 6 months of age.

Ashley - posted on 11/12/2009

I started my son on pablum at 2 months. He had gage reflux so it was hard for him to keep anything down unless it was heavy in his tummy. You could try pablum dont always go by what the doctor tells you go by your instincs as a mother. What pleases one baby may not please another baby. All you have to do is buy stadge 1 pablum, and put a pinch of it into a 6 oz bottle. and see what happens. if nothing try 2 pinches and go from there.

Lindsey - posted on 11/12/2009

I would just ask your doctor because it depeneds my doctor said that each child is different and will have different needs. Bayleigh was a premmie so my doctor told me not to put it in her bottle. she is 7 months now and just started eating stage 2 foods. I gave Bayleigh her first cereal at like 4 1/2 months but i never put it in her bottle i just fed it too her. Bayleigh is also under weight becuase she is so tall and is only 14 pounds and eats like a mad woman. I hope that helps but i would just ask your doctor because they would be able too give you the best answer as to what is right for you daugther.