How often should I give my son rice cereal during the day?, His Dr. gave me the OK, but he did not tell me?

Question

how often I should feed him the cereal. I am wondering because the cereal does not have enough water in it like formula does, so I dont believe I should give him the cereal more thatn 2 times a day, because I don't want him to get dehidrated or anything like that. Any suggestions? beisedes :ask ther Doctor"?

Answer 1

You should be giving him plenty of formula or breast milk as well. I mixed the milk with the rice cereal. He will not get dehydrated as long as you are feedin him with milk or formula, his body is not yet ready to go full time rice cereal.

Answer 2

The med system often tells moms to introduce rice cereal first, little bit, because baby is learning to use different tongue muscles, instead of sucking, so feed it with a spoon, not in the bottle.. Feed him only what he wants, if he turns away, he's had enough. Try again later. Also the Healthy Families curriculum states that if you can hold off introducing food to baby until they are up to 6 months, they maybe less apt to develop allergies. This would be true for breast fed babies who get their antibodies from Mom. If the doc wants you to feed him earlier thatn 4 months, he may have other issues he's addressing.

Answer 3

I gave my children cereal each morning, and it was diluted with breast milk - you can use formula. My sister gave her babies the cereal at night. Both ways worked. Also try baby food fruits later like peaches and applesauce as they really like that too - but wait till the doctor says fruits are okay to have. Just make the cereal the consistancy of thin pudding and feed with a spoon. He will need his milk too, don't replace cereal for the formula as it is supposed to be in addition to it. Use some of the formula to mix with the cereal and then finish the meal with the rest of the formula. Ask the doctor if you feel worried though, as that is best.

Answer 4

Start with only one time per day. THis is in ADDITION to his regular formula feedings NOT as a substitute for them. So if he takes a bottle every three hours, continue to give him a bottle every three hours, but in between his bottle feedings (preferably in the morning at first) feed him the cereal - like an hour and a half after his bottle. Once he is a pro at this and over six months, you can add more. But, he will take the same amount of formula for a while...cereal is added to meet his body's need for extra calories as he is growing bigger and bigger, not to be a substitute for the calories he is already getting from formula. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

You can give your son rice cereal up to 3 times per day. I give my son cereal 2x per day now along with some vegetables that I have started him on. As long he is having his usual breast milk or formula, he will not get dehydrated. After my son eats his 'lunch' or 'dinner', I offer him a few sips of water and he seems to like that.

Answer 6

I would give him a serving in the AM for breakfast and a serving in the PM for dinner. You should formula into the cereal. And most likely he'll still want part of his bottle. During the day give him a bottle of water if you're concerned about him getting dehydrated.

Answer 7

Our Dr. said I need to work my way up to giving her 4 teaspoons 4 times a day.If you are concerned about water, give your baby about an ounce, or a couple ounces of formula after the feeding.

Answer 8

I used to give mime cereal right before bedtime. It gave them a full tummy and they slept better. To be on the safe side though just give his Dr. a call he should call you back to answer your question at no charge and then there is no question in your mind if you are giving him the correct amount.

Answer 9

You should give your son cereal at night cause then he will sleep through the night. And in the mornings is ok too

Answer 10

I am a nutritionist

all solids (including cereal) should not be given before 6 months of age because it can cause life long harm to your child (no matter what your doctor, mother or friend says none of them have went to school for nutritin and I have)

I will copy and paste an answer to a similar question I answered :)



Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

as a nutritionist I will tell you you should not be starting solids till at least 6 months
a babys digestive system does not become advanced enough for any solid food before this time

Stage 1

At 6 months solid foods can be introduced but the weaning process should not be hurried if baby is content with breast milk alone. Pay attention to the signals baby gives out e.g. baby will probably be ready for solid food if they cry after breast-feedings or chew on the nipple. Even then, breastfeeding should be continued (alongside the introduction of solids) for as long as is comfortable for mother and baby.

The best time to introduce solid foods to baby is just before breast or bottle-feeding. Starting solids is a very gradual process so be patient and go slowly. The classic 'first food' is mashed banana, which is very digestible, sweet and a good introduction to foods. Suitable first foods are baby rice or pureed vegetables. Fruits are usually introduced after vegetables in order to allow acceptance of vegetables before the sweet tastes of fruits is experienced. Other popular first foods are carrot, sweet potatoes, parsnip, apples, bananas and pears. When they have had enough babies will turn away their head, clamp their mouth shut or spit the food out! These are signs that they have had enough.

When introducing solids to baby offer one type of food only and then observe how well it is tolerated. Start with around 1-2 tsp of food and gradually increase up to 6 tsp. How is fed to baby depends entirely on how much they will eat. A rough guide might be a quarter of a very ripe mushy banana for a few days (or for a week) and the following week another soft fruit such as apple sauce. This gives the baby's digestive system time to get used to each new food before the introduction of additional ones. If two or more foods are introduced at the same time and baby has diarrhoea, colic or other digestive problems, it will be difficult to identify the culprit. The foods during this first stage should be bland with a smooth consistency.

If the baby is not interested the first few times solids are introduced it is advised to try again in another week. When baby is ready they will let you know. Baby might be hungry at any time of the day or night. Babies cannot tell the time but they know what they need.

Prepare cooked vegetables plainly, do not add salt, sugar or spices. Good introductory vegetables are parsnips, sweet potatoes, yams and carrots. Still start feeds with breast or bottle but now very gradually increase the amount of solid food given afterwards. Solids should only be given by spoon or hand and never added to a bottle of feed.

Typical feed for one day at stage 1


* 1st feed - breast or bottle
* 2nd feed - breast or bottle
* 3rd feed - 1-2 tsp baby rice mixed with 1 tbs milk from feed or 1-2 tsp unsweetened fruit puree
* 4th feed - breast or bottle
* 5th feed - breast or bottle

Stage 2:

Try and move gradually from solid food at one feed in the day to solid food at two and then three feeds. Follow baby's appetite and move at baby's pace.

Avoid all baby foods that contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. Sugar contains no vitamins, minerals or protein and can lead to obesity, both now and later in the child's life. Sweetened foods also confuse and seduce the appetite tending to satisfy hunger quickly and displace healthful foods. Do not add salt to foods.

Typical feed for one day at stage 2:


* 1st feed - breast or bottle
* 2nd feed - breast or bottle followed by 1-2 tsp baby rice mixed with 1 tbs milk from feed or 1-2 tsp unsweetened fruit puree
* 3rd feed - breast or bottle followed by 1-2 tsp vegetable puree or 1-2 tsp pureed fruit
* 4th feed - breast or bottle followed by 1-2 tsp pureed fruit
* 5th feed - breast or bottle