Currently my 1 month old is eating 4oz of formula per feeding (every 2-3 hours). I've had a few people ask me if I've started him on cereal yet....and that made me wonder how young some people start their infant on cereal.
2006-10-23 11:36:00 · 13 answers · asked by S 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My baby does spit up A LOT lately....
2006-10-23 11:48:05 · update #1
6 months unless his pediatrician recommends otherwise.
There's all kinds of debate about whether cereal before 6 months is good for baby.
Lots of people give it before 6-months to get them to sleep longer. (Most books say this doesn't actually work.) There's another opposing theory that introducing solids before 6-months can contribute to food allergies. APA recommends around six months to start solids.
I had a good sleeper so we never had to consider cereal before this point and we started with rice cereal 5 days before her 6-month birthday. We stuck with cereals for a month before moving into veggies and fruits every 3 days (to rule out allergies) starting at 7-months. (I would've started these in her 6th month too, but I was waiting for her 6-month check-up to talk to her doctor and it had to be rescheduled.)
I started giving my daughter little tastes of things (that weren't common allergens) off my finger at about 4 months, but not feeding her with a spoon.
Most baby's digestive systems aren't ready to handle baby food until 6 months and many still have the "tongue thrust reflex" that makes it nearly impossible to feed them solids anyway. Don't force it, or they will fight spoon feeding even when they are developmentally ready.
If you're going to give your baby cereal before 6 months I'd recommend talking to your pediatrician first. Some pediatricians recommend it before 6-months depending on the growth of the baby, the doctor can tell you how much would be appropriate.
I started with a tablespoon of dry cereal to 2 tablespoons of water. Gradually making it thicker. Most babies only take about half a teaspoon at a meal when they start, anyway, so it's not like they need it for nutrition; it's more to help them practice HOW to eat.
Now at 11 months my daughter eats 5 tablespoons of cereal to 5 tablespoons of water for breakfast, (she still gags on anything thicker than that) plus a motts container of applesauce.
Good luck!
2006-10-23 14:59:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be concerned about your child spitting up alot. Maybe he/she is not tolerating the formula well. Depending on how satisfied your child is after each feeding, will let you know if your child needs a pinch of cereal in his/her milk. It doesn't take much to thicken the formula-keep that in mind. Starting a child too early on cereal may constipate them so be careful. I would 1st let my docter know about my child spitting up alot and ask if there are any alternatives as far as the formula is concerned. I had to change my kid's milk several times before I found something they could drink. I hope my advice helped you out some! Good Luck!
2006-10-23 21:53:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've cared for infants as young as 6 weeks old that have already stated cereal in their bottles. Some babies have it put in their bottles, on the advice of their DR, for things like reflux, and excessive spitting up. If your baby is healthy, and not trying to take to much milk, then wait till about 4 months.
2006-10-23 18:45:46 · answer #3 · answered by MC 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At 6 months. Most people are just stupid/uninformed when it comes to infant feeding. The digestive system of an infant before 6 months of age is immature and introducing solids before then sets them up for a host of other problems, immediately and down the road.
2006-10-23 18:39:26 · answer #4 · answered by Just Me 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When my son was a baby the Dr started him on cereal at 3 weeks...5 years later when my daughter was born I had to change Dr because he retired..new Dr said no solids for 6 months..So it changes every few years or so..Best bet is to ask your Dr.
2006-10-23 20:08:24 · answer #5 · answered by JIM D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A one month old should NOT be eating cereal.
Solid foods should not be started until closer to 6 mos of age.
Starting solids too early can lead to allergies, diabetes and obesity.
They can't digest it properly at this age.
AND it will probably lead to consitpation.
2006-10-23 19:04:29 · answer #6 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started my son on rice cereal at 3 months, he didn't seem like the formula was enough for him so I asked his Dr. and that's what she told me to do, she says rice is easiest to digest. I started him on baby food at 6 months but only non citrus fruits, they shouldn't have citrus till one year, I also gave him veggies. I didn't start with meat til 9 months, but by that time he really wasn't interested in baby food he wanted what I ate, he didn't get much of that, but enough to satisfy his curiosity. By the time he was one year he was eating table foods, and drinking whole milk.
2006-10-23 18:44:59 · answer #7 · answered by skysmommy 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
my brother constantly spit up. he is 2 months old. we started him on the cereal and rice. he spits up a lot less.
2006-10-23 18:57:11 · answer #8 · answered by Roxie _girl_101 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i started my son at 4 months and solids at 6 months-
2006-10-23 19:09:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My Mum had to start my brother on solid food at 3 months as he refused to suckle
2006-10-23 18:44:21 · answer #10 · answered by kimbridge 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋