How old should my babies before i give them cereal?

Question

i want to go back to work in Dec and i would like them to be sleeping through the night by then. They are 2 weeks olld now.

Answer 1

I am assuming you have twin babies. How much do they weigh?

Every baby reacts to food and sleep pattern differently. Depending on the weight and maturity of your babies bodies depends on when you should introduce them to cereal.

From my own experience, my first child was almost eight pounds at birth and was constantly unsatisfied with just formula; he acted starved all the time. I started giving him very thin (almost formula consistent) rice cereal. I started with a very small amount (probably an amount equal to five tablespoons). As he matured, I made the cereal thicker and made a larger quantity.

My second child was four weeks early. I introduced rice cereal to her at two months.

Your babies may not need cereal to start sleeping through the nights. I think what is more important is to get them on a regular feeding schedule (every four hours). If they do not appear to be satisfied and are waking every couple of hours throughout the night, I would try a little rice cereal to see if that helps.

Also, babies can be spoiled at an early age. Don't try entertaining them. It doesn't hurt them to cry. When they realize you aren't going to pick them up every time they cry, they learn to sleep better.

Make sure you check with your pediatrician also.

Answer 2

I started my children on rice cereal when they were 6 weeks old, I think now the Dr.'s are suggesting 6 months, you may want to check with the baby doctor. They should be sleeping all night by Dec. I had one child that came home from the hospital sleeping all night and the other two by 6 and 8 weeks old.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Cereal should be given between 4-6 months. At this young of an age, they should only be having formula/breastmilk. If given solids too soon, it can increase chances of allergies, and can upset their little tummies. They are so little that they will continue to feed at night for the next little while. All babies are different but mine was sleeping through the night by 3 months, and only having breastmilk. I just made sure that he had enough feedings during the day, and would not pass 4hrs between feeds. Be sure to feed/hydrate yourself well too, this way your milk will be rich for them as well ! Good Luck, and congrats, keep up the good work, those little ones sure can eat often when they are newborns !

Answer 4

Age: 4 to 6 months
Signs of readiness for solid food
Your baby probably won't do all these things — they're just clues to watch for.
• Can hold head up
• Sits well in highchair
• Makes chewing motions
• Shows significant weight gain (birth weight has doubled)
• Shows interest in food
• Can close mouth around a spoon
• Can move food from front to back of mouth
• Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
• Seems hungry after 8 to 10 feedings of breast milk or 40 oz. of formula in a day
• Is teething
What to feed
• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Semi-liquid iron-fortified rice cereal, THEN
• Other grain cereals like oats or barley How much per day
• Begin with about 1 teaspoon dry rice cereal mixed with 4 to 5 teaspoons breast milk or formula (it'll be very runny).
• Gradually thicken consistency and increase to 1 tablespoon dry cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day.
Feeding tips
• If your baby won't eat the cereal on the first try, offer it again in a few days.
• Get more detailed tips on how to introduce solids.

Answer 5

It depends on the doctor as to when they will recommend you adding cereal to the baby's diet.
I added cereal to my son's diet after the age of 2 1/2 months. He was hungry all the time and would only sleep for 2 hours at a time.
It won't hurt the baby by starting to put a little cereal in their bottle,just start with a little and work yourself up. You will notice a difference in their sleeping habits.
And don't worry, it won't make them any heavier or anything. Just happier.

Answer 6

Sweetie,It is best to usually wait till they are at least 2 months or so old cause of digestion problems and some babies sleep there the night b y then anyway.It just depends on the babies and there metabolism.Take your time sweetie.They grow up way to fast as it is.enjoy every moment even the late nights and early mornings.

Answer 7

Pediatricians usually suggest starting cereal around 6 months of age.

Answer 8

Most recommendations I've come across suggest waiting until the baby is sitting well and have lost the reflex action of automatically pushing food out of their mouth with their tongue. For most babies, that means waiting until they're 5 to 6 months old.

Answer 9

between 4 to 6 months

Answer 10

Honey, your babies might be ready to eat solids by then, but don't count on cereal helping your babies to sleep. My youngest child didn't sleep all night until he was 3 years old, and he was eating plenty!