do infants have to eat cereal (rice or oatmeal)?

Question

my 4 month old child will not eat cereal, rice or oatmeal. He is drinking plenty of formula everyday so I don't think I should worry about him receiving his nutrients. He loves baby food (bananas, sweet potato, applesauce) but will not eat cereal-does he have to have it?

Answer 1

You should not feed him any solids before 6 months of age, or before sitting up. But if he's swallowing ok, tolerating it internally (not constipated), and can sit up, read on.

Usually cerals are suggested as a first food because they're easy on the digestive system and are made with formula or breastmilk, yet simply offer texture. But if your baby's already jumped to prepared baby food, you can bypass the cereal altogether.

Tell your pediatrician, though. S/he will probably tell you it's ok.

Answer 2

Our pediatrician didn't want us to start Nick on food until 4 months, although sine he was starving I had started earlier than that. Nicholas doesn't like plain cereal either, so I mix a fruit or veggie with two table spoons of either rice/mixed/oatmeal, or any of the listed that also has fruit. He also doesn't like his food thin.

As for "needing" cereal, no, babies get all the nutrients they need from formula or breast milk for the 6-9 mths(or so I've read). If your little guy seems hungry try different things. Be careful trying new fruits, take them slow to make sure there are no allergies. Good luck

Answer 3

4 months old is too young for him to be eating baby food. 4 months is when you should start the cereal. The reason you start with that is because it is the easiest thing to digest besides formula. Infant cereal is also great for iron that babies need. If I were you I would stop the baby food and go to the cereal and formula. You should only be starting baby food at 6 months.

Answer 4

My daughter did not eat any food until almost 7 months, and the only thing the doctor said was that cereal provides iron that babies need after 6 months. You have nothing to worry about with a four month old.

Answer 5

All the nutrients your baby needs at this age can be found breast milk preferably or formula. The the cereal is for extra iron , witch they don't need until they are between 4 and 6 mths. Other foods should not be given until at least 6 mths because their systems really are not ready for it.
this website has lots of info on babies in general and how feed them.
www.askdrsears.com

Answer 6

My daughter wouldnt eat any cereal either. She just turned 5 months and she's been eating baby food since 3 1/2 months and loves it. As long as he isnt allergic let him eat baby food as long as he still gets plenty of formula. Try some squash, carrots, other vegetables so he doesnt develop a taste for just sweets. My daughter is eating baby food twice a day. Half a jar of fruits and half a jar of veggies each day plus 25-30 oz of formula. Her Dr says she is doing really well.

Answer 7

Well kinda yes and no try using rice cereal first and mixing some of it with his baby food, and if he eat it like that then do that for a about a week and then try on just the rice cereal.

Answer 8

mix the cereal with the applesauce or the bananas, and give him other types of baby foods besides the sweet stuff... cereal, especially oatmeal offer different vitamins and some protein, (a vital nutrient especially for developing brains!)

former nursing student.

Answer 9

Not only does a baby not have to eat so-called "baby cereal", he shouldn't, especially at his age. A baby younger than 6 months old shouldn't have *any* food or drink other than human milk (or formula).

Answer 10

My daughter is 4 months old and her Pediatrician said she COULD start baby food. She only eats cereal out of a bottle. I have to mix it with applesauce and applejuice for her to eat it. Otherwise it will be out of a bottle. Every baby is different and you have to find what works with your little one.