For women who breastfeed??

Question

I know they say not to introduce baby food to the baby until they are between 4-6 months, but does that go for women who breastfeed, too? Cereal is usually the first food they use, along with milk, but what about breastfed babies? Do you just mix it with breast milk, or what?

So you just pump the milk and mix it with the cereal?

Answer 1

as far as the "they" you are referring to--most "they's" dont have babies, and are going based on....well, i really dont know--your baby will tell you when they are ready for more--they will start eyeing your plate of food, and really pay attention to you eating...usually when this happens, they are ready to start sampling....it is really up to you and mostly your baby how and when you start this.....my son started eating cereal at 3 months old--but i didnt use breast milk, as pumping it to mix with the cereal caused problems with having the milk there when he wa ready to breast feed again--i used a variety of things to find what he responded to best- and he happened to prefer juice mixed in his cereal--however, you also have to take into consideration swallowing ability, and digestive systems being ready---but mostly it's up to your baby--he/she will "tell" you or show you when they are ready, and what they will eat--it isnt spoiling--i was told if you only take the one direction ie; milk with cereal every time and try nothing else, and your baby happens to not like it like that, you might teach him/her to not eat and only breast feed--gerber has a good juice not too much sugar--i would try the apple, or mixed instead of grape kinds or all red as most babies have problems with those kinds--your best bet is to start keeping a log of eating schedules, foods you have tried ( and try alot of them soft ones, ones they can suck on, etc--you don't have to stay only in the baby aisle--my son loved to suck on puffy cheetos, and loved applesauce like grownups eat--anyway keep a log for a month or two of your trial and errors, and then check with a nutrionalist(dont take everything they say so seriously--they follow the book to seriously) and with other mother's and if possible with your own mother if available--grandmothers know the best--they did this stuff before Dr. Spock, and obviously you survived lol.....i did most of it on my own through trial and error, letting my kids show me what they wanted and liked--won't hurt to let them try from your plate too--mashed potatoes, soggy cereal etc....stuff that mashes or melts away.....as long as you keep an eye on them while they are experimenting you can't really go wrong...i did all this while breastfeeding also--both for a year...

Answer 2

Health experts and breastfeeding experts agree that it's best to wait until your baby is around six months old before offering solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, and many other health organizations recommend that babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or other foods) for the first 6 months of life. Some doctors may recommend delaying solids for the first year if there is a family history of allergies.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html

and you can mix cereal with breastmilk note it will get progressively more runny as the enzymes in the milk breakdown the starch (mixing small batches is more effective) and yes you can express a little milk and just mix it in a bowl with the cereal

also you don't have to introduce solids till 12 months (you can exclusively breastfeed for up to one year)

Answer 3

If you breastfeed you should wait until 6 months to introduce cereal. Right now your baby is getting the absolute best nutrition available. You can pump the milk and it will stay "good" in the fridge for up to 2 days so maybe put it in smaller containers so you can freeze some.

Answer 4

Even breast feed babies should not be introduced to baby food until 4 -6 months. Actually breast feed babies can go longer with out food because the milk has everything they need in it. Start with ceral mix it with breast milk make it really runny and see how the baby does. Do they swallow or use there tongue and thrust it out. If they swallow then they are ready if not then do not push it wait a week and try again.

Answer 5

My baby is 3 months old tom. I feed her cereal at night, but I dont mix it with milk. I usually use water or a little juice. She is breastfed during the day. The dr said 4 months for jar foods stage 1. I just asked him about this today.

Answer 6

Hi, I'm a mother of two little boys and I'm currently breastfeeding my youngest son (10 months old). I think cereal is also the first food for breastfed babies. Because that's also what I gave my babies when they started showing signs that they are ready for solid foods. Does your baby show signs that she/he is ready for solids? My 10-month-old baby until this moment is still not eating solid but sometimes I mix some cereal into a bottle of breastmilk. :-)

Answer 7

I have always given my kids cereal as their first food. You can add either breastmilk or water to mix it with. If you don't have a breast pump you could mix it with a little bit of formula. At first, the consistency should be very watery and then gradually thicker as your baby gets used to eating. Good luck!

Answer 8

I mixed it with water or expressed milk. My son is 10 months and loves boobie and baby cereal. It has decreased his desire to nurse as it keeps him full longer, but he still takes the breast! Go mommy and keep up the beastfeeding--its the best thing for your baby!

Answer 9

when i first started solids with my son i tried mixing the cereal with breast milk but for some reason he liked it better mixed with plain water. But if your baby likes it mixed with formula, breast milk or just water that's up to her to decide. Believe me she'll let you know.

Answer 10

Grains are actually the worst thing to introduce to a breastfed baby. It is very hard on their stomachs. Grains should be introduced 8 months or older. A great strarter is yellow sqaush(steemed), avacado, sweet potato, and so on. Good luck:)