Rice Cereal?

Question

We just started giving my 3.5 mo. old a little rice cereal (mixed with her normal formula) once a day. When we give it to her, she makes the most horrible faces. Could this be because she hates the taste? Or could it be that she isn't quite ready for solid foods? Or could it be something else?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I should clarify: I'm giving it to her from a spoon..not in her bottle. Sorry for being unclear.

Answer 1

I started my daughter on rice cereal at 3 1/2 months and she was about 11lbs. All babies are going to make funny faces and possibly spit it up because they are not used to the texture and they aren't quite sure what to do with it. While it is quite possible that your baby may have not mastered the tongue reflex technique of letting the food move down her throat, she may also just not recognize it as it is wayy different then her formula or breast milk. It took my daughter about 1 week to really get used to the jist of it and I totally admit that I was ready to quit because I was scared to try new things and I didn't think she was ready but I stuck with it and she loves it! It takes time and alot of patience..Try a couple of times a day, give her a few spoon fulls and see what she does..if she doesn't swallow it, take it away and try again in a few hours. Never rush feeding time and it will make it harder the older your kids get and remember that cereal and solid foods are only a compliment and the most important nutrition for your baby until 12 months is the milk. If you try for a week and she still wont take it, wait another couple of weeks and try again..Don't worry, it takes practise just like a baby's first steps, words, etc..Good luck and don't let anyone tell you that there is a specific age as it all depends on your baby's needs and how she/he is growing.

Answer 2

Babies do not need anything other than formula or breast milk until they are around 6 months old. This is when the natural supply of iron in their system begins to diminish. Infant rice cereal is often a recommended first food as it is easily digested, contains iron, and is unlikely to produce a reaction. There is no need to rush the introduction of solids in a baby's diet. It is better to look at her developmental signs to determine if she is ready for solids. First, does she repeatedly push against the spoon with her tongue? Babies have a natural "tongue-thrust" reflex used in sucking at the breast or from a bottle. This subsides gradually during the first 6 months. A baby who doesn't have a strong tongue-thrust reflex is ready for solids. Has your baby developed the ability to control her head and neck? A baby who can control her head movement is easier to feed than a baby with a loose, floppy head. Is she reaching for things and putting them in her mouth? This is a good sign that she will be interested in exploring putting a spoon in her mouth. It is normal for babies to make faces when fed something that is unfamiliar in texture or taste. I suggest waiting at least a couple more weeks or more and try the cereal again when she is showing some signs that she is ready for solids. I think she is too young right now.

Answer 3

while my son replaced into 3 mths, the rice cereal did no justice for his urge for foodstuff, i could routinely combination it with enfamil formula . I asked the record, if I could substitute the cereal, he reported yea. He defined that the oatmeal cereal is a lot thicker in content cloth while mixed with milk - water. for my section, i could say use the oatmeal cereal, its fit, greater foodstuff and since the record reported its thicker. it somewhat is going to hold to her tummy greater desirable than the cereal- meaning much less feedings for the period of a three-6 hr era. If the oatmeal cereal motives probs i could say proceed to nurse her, your physique will fill up the milk furnish and each thing would be nice. attempt it first then see what takes place. BTW ask your record with reference to the little gerber foodstuff products .

Answer 4

She's just getting used to the texture/feeling of something in her mouth other than milk. Also, it takes different muscles to move food to the back of the palate and swallow. She just has to learn to coordinate everything. If she chokes repeatedly or has a really hard time, then I would wait. But making faces is totally normal. Good luck!

Answer 5

My daughter started rice cereal in her bottle at 2 mths old. She got it in every other bottle. I used the mixed cereal and she loved it. She may not like the taste just yet but give it a couple more days and I'm sure she will like it

Answer 6

Mandy, Jaylea did the same thing, it took about a week of daily feeding for her to stop...she just needed to get used to the different texture and taste. Now she INHALES food...especially fruits :)

OMG I hate the FREAKS telling you that you are so BAD for feeding her cereal my GOD! She'll be fine, ignore them. Once she gets used to it she'll love it, especially once you can move on to the tastier stuff :)

Answer 7

NO dont give your baby sugar!!!!!Try mixing it with apple juice or fruit for a baby...the taste is horriable...ever smell it???its smell is nasty...imagine the taste...and she coul dbe making these faces because its a new texture and taste for her...it does take some time to get use to also....dont give up!!!!
Katie

Answer 8

WOW who suggested giving her that, maybe a little in her pm bottle to help her sleep, I have 5 kids I would not even think of feeding them even baby food til around 9 months just my opinion but I have had a lot of people disagree with me , still even for them 3 months is way early

Answer 9

Oh its the taste alright, I couldnt tell you how many times I wore both of my little girls rice ceareal lol. If you have stage one baby food, put just a little(not to much) of the fruit in it. Thats what my doc told me to do. Believe me they ate it up fast. No problem from there lol. Good luck!

Answer 10

It is the texture she will do it for awhile. Try adding a little baby fruit to it like apples or bananas to it for flavor