How early can I start my baby with soft cereals?

Question

How much earlier than 3 months can I start my baby with soft cereals? Someone told me that as soon as they can coordinate swallowing and pushing the food back with their tongue... Is this true?

Answer 1

Most Dr.s will tell you at least 3-4 months, but lets be real-I have had 5 kids, and ALL of them have been eating baby cereal since they were at least one month. What I do is in a 6 oz. bottle, fill the baby cereal about 1 oz. then put 1 scoop of formula in with it and fill with warm water. It thickens the milk and fills the baby up better, however watch for gas. Make sure to burp the baby and if needed, they sell over the counter gas drops for baby's. but you probably won't need to worrie. if the bottle gets clogged, you might need to make the hole a little bigger with succors-not too big. But you will be amazed at how much better the baby will sleep from being full. Do not give the baby oatmeal-look for the rice. It's easier on their little tummies.-good luck

Answer 2

3 months is way too early. Allergies can develop; the baby's digestive system just isn't ready for solids until 4-6 months. If the baby is pushing the food back out with its tongue, that's a definite sign the baby isn't ready. You'll know when the baby is ready when s/he starts demanding to be given what you're eating! Then you can mush up whatever you're eating and give the baby little tastes. Infant cereal is *worthless*. First, it's so refined that it's devoid of any nutritional value; a good way to start on the road to obesity. Second, it's constipating. Third, feeding the baby such bland food will only lead to pickiness later. Start the baby out with real food!

Answer 3

Rice ceral can be introduced anywhere from 4-6 months. The only time a doctor suggests doing it earlier is if the baby has reflux. It's recommended that you not put it in a bottle as it can cause choking. It should be fed with a spoon, while the baby is sitting in a high chair. if the baby is not yet able to sit well in a high chair it's recommended you wait longer. Many people will tell you that they put it a bottle when their baby was 2 months old, but that is not what is recommended by doctors, and other people in my field. Talk to your doctor.

Answer 4

You should not start solids at all until 6 months of age. Starting earlier puts your child at risk for allergies, diabetes and obesity. A 3 mos old baby can't properly digest anything but formula or breastmilk. He doesn't have the enzymes in his belly to properly digest solid foods yet. He needs to be sitting up well and have lost the tongue thrust reflex. The AAP says no solids until around 6 mos of age.

Answer 5

I wouldn't start before 3 months, for just that reason. So start with a teeny, tiny amount on a baby spoon to see if your baby can do it. If he/she can't then try again in a couple of weeks. I've read where people say that cereal will help keep them satisfied longer than formula/breastmilk, but that wasn't true for either of my kids. Good Luck and trust your instincts...you know your baby better than anyone else!

Answer 6

Yes, that is correct. I started feeding my twins cereal at 6 months though. I have been told, and I am not really sure if it is true, but the later your start the solid foods, the less likely babies will have allergies to foods.

Hope this helps you.

Answer 7

I have heard of a doctor putting a 2 month old on cereal that was very watered down b/c the baby wasnt getting full on just milk, but I dont know about much younger than that.

Answer 8

I would say no sooner than three months should you try. Test your baby with rice cereal softened with breast milk and try a few little tastes. If she can't get the concept of swallowing it or pushes it all back out, then wait a week before trying again.
If she does eat something, watch her for the rest of the day for signs of allergies.

Answer 9

Yes this is true. I waited until my son was about 4 months old before I started him on rice cereal. You probably want to talk to your doctor before giving your baby rice cereal.

Answer 10

I wouldnt start with the soft cereals until at least 3 or 4 months. It has nothing to do with being able to swallow, its the digesting part that you need to wait on. Its harder for babies to digest cereal that early. They can most def swallow it but he/she wont be able to digest it. I would wait until the baby is at least 3 or 4 months old.