My pediatrician keeps on putting it off. He told me that the sooner the baby is on cereal, he has a higher risk of diabetes. Anyone ever hear of that? He is over 5 months old.
2007-01-25 07:25:03 · 18 answers · asked by Crash 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I have not heard that, but I have heard it causes food allergies if started too early.
I gave my son cereal at 3 weeks and then baby food at 3 months. The Drs told me not to, because they weren't allowed to tell me anything else. They go by the book for the most part.
I feel as a parent that I will do what works best for my child and us. If it doesn't hurt him then, its ok for us. This is what works with us, I am not telling you to go ahead though.
Dr's don't live with you, they dont know how your child is.
2007-01-25 07:37:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
I NEVER heard of early cereal having a link to diabetes. There is NO medical evidence that I know of to support that. (I just told it to my boss and he had a good chuckle for himself.) Apparently, endocrinologists think there's some kind of virus that can cause diabetes, but they don't know for sure.
As for your main question - you can start cereals around 4-5 months old = if the baby doesn't seem completely satisfied by 32 oz of formula or normal breastfeedings. Pick one cereal (usually rice) and start with 1 tablespoon once or twice a day - whichever works better for both you and baby. Increase the amount as needed. If the baby is tolerating the cereal okay, try another one. Don't do more than one per week - you want to be able to pinpoint any allergy problems.
You can start the veggies around 6-7 months old. Start with the green ones first. Reason being - babies tend to like sweet stuff, and if you start with fruit or sweet veggies like carrots or sweet potatoes, you'll have a fight getting the green ones in after. Again, introduce only one new food every 4-5 days for the allergy thing.
You can change textures of foods when the baby shows you he's ready. When he can pick things up on his own, give him a handful of Cheerios to gnaw on - kids LOVE 'em.
2007-01-25 08:02:44 · answer #2 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true, my son's Pediatrician always told me the same thing, also it can cause obesity. Start giving cereal at 6 months. Add the fruit little by little, i use to put some in my son's cereal, after he had been eating the cereal for a while i would mix the fruit in to get him use to the taste.
2007-01-25 07:51:20 · answer #3 · answered by Curious J. 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Never heard of the diabetes angle...
Usually you start a baby on cereal after 4 months...once the cereal is introduced then you move to veggies - one veggie every 3 to 4 days to monitor for any signs of allergies. Then you can start to introduce fruits and so so. Gerber has a great little instructional thing on their website.
I started both of my girls after 4 months with no issues. Good luck!
2007-01-25 07:38:41 · answer #4 · answered by Jen 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
What???Never heard one say that. You can start out at 4 months. he should be eating a few tablespoons of cereal mixed w/ some formula or breast milk a day. you can do breakfast/lunch/dinner. After he gets used to that then you can start on fruit and veggies. Maybe you should think about getting another doc.
2007-01-25 10:13:02 · answer #5 · answered by cinnycinda 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I began feeding my kids baby cereal when they were able to sit in the high chair (6 or 7 months old) . Nothing to thick just enough for consistency. Your baby is safest and will be healthier if you puree the veggies and fruits yourself and feed the baby that.
2007-01-25 07:34:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
6 months
2007-01-25 08:51:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i asked my doctor he said not before 4 months at four months they can handle the cereal and then after they have had that you can introduce one fruit or veggie (stage 1) a week and to hold of on strawberries but they are like stage 3 anyways
the reason for one a week is you you can look for sign that they are alergic
2007-01-25 07:40:23 · answer #8 · answered by momma 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I believe 4-6 months is usual, although some think that after 6 months is better, depending on the baby's needs.
2007-01-25 07:37:56 · answer #9 · answered by KC 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You are paying your pedi to care for your baby. YOu have to go with what he/she says.
If they are breast fed they usually get cereal by 6 months. It also depends on the child and if it is satisfied with milk alone.
This changes with every generation. My oldest child was given cereal at 6 weeks. My last at 4 months. As new research comes out about nutrition this changes.
Listen to your pedi.
2007-01-25 07:35:16 · answer #10 · answered by nrse85 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋