can i feed my 3 1/2 month old gerber cereal?

Answer 1

Can he/she hold his/her head up-This is very important when eating rice cereal. I would wait til 5-6 months or atleast 4 months but ask your doctor first. Prematurity is also a Factor.

advice from: Father and mother to a 6th month old and 3 yearold.

By about six months of age, you'll probably start noticing signs that your baby is ready to expand her diet. By now, she'll be able to hold her head up by herself, and will have lost the tongue-thrust extrusion reflex, which means she can now learn to take more than just liquid food. She'll also start showing an interest in your food, eyeing meals and possibly reaching for your plate.

Of course, this doesn't mean your baby is able to sit down with a knife and fork. A baby's first solid foods aren't solid at all; in fact, first foods should be semi-liquid, as eating is a skill your baby will learn gradually.

So what can you start with? The most often recommended first food is iron-fortified baby rice cereal, which is easily digested and the least likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

To start, mix a teaspoon of cereal with four to five teaspoons of breast milk, formula milk, or boiled, cooled water. You can use a baby-feeding spoon, but some experts recommend using your clean finger. Simply dip your fingertip into the cereal mixture and offer it to your baby. Don't expect her to eat very much at a time - tiny tummies need tiny portions, and most of her nutrition will continue to come from breastmilk or formula for months to come.

Other foods you can start at six months include fruits, such as pureed bananas, pears, and apples, and vegetables, such as carrots, butternut squash, parsnips and cauliflower. You might also like to try starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, yam and sweet potato. It's important you offer your baby savoury foods as well as sweet at this stage, or she may develop a sweet tooth. Read our article on which weaning foods to introduce when for more information.

Answer 2

First, I just read something from someone about putting the cereal in the bottle at bedtime. Absolutely not, never ever. If you ask a dr or a public health nurse about this they will tell you this same thing. There is too high of a risk of choking because people usually start too soon and also because the formula or breastmilk is thicker then.

I would wait another month or 2, but when you do feed rice, then barley, then oatmeal, then corn before you start veggies then fruits. Just because the label has a young baby on it doesn't mean it is a good time to start feeding yet. I asked a public health nurse about this with my son because I didn't know when to start giving him things other than just his formula. They told me to wait until 5-5 1/2 months, start on cereal then go green veggies then colours, then fruits.

Honestly the pictures the company puts on cereal and baby food jars doesn't really mean anything. When your baby gets older, say 8 months, if he/she only has 2-4 teeth you would still feed 6 month baby food because anything chunkier can pose a choking hazard if they don't have the teeth to chew it yet. If you start too soon their system might not be ready for it yet. My son's system wasn't ready for oatmeal until he was over a year, he just couldn't handle it so we just kept buying baby cereals that were either rice and fruits or barley and fruits, or plain of each and add jar fruits to it.
If the company can get to you buy from them for longer, either starting earlier or feeding longer they are better off, it has nothing to do with what is good for your baby. I found this with Enfagro supplement formula as well. You feed them properly or give them a liguid multi vit like I do with my son you don't need to buy a suppliment. I cleared that one with public health and my son's dr too just to be sure. They both said the same thing.

Answer 3

The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend starting infants on cereals until they are 6 months old. Some doctors recommend 4 months, but more and more are going to the 6 month rule. By introducing foods too early, you can increase the chances for food allergies. Also most babies at 3 1/2 months are not ready for solid foods--their digestive tracts are still really immature and can have a hard time processing it. At this age, they are better off with either breastmilk or formula.

Answer 4

you should check with the pediatrician first; generally babies aren't started on cereal until between 4-6 months of age... and 4 is even pushing the "a little too early" point unless the pediatrician feels that it is warrented. And do not use cereal bottles or god forbid poke extra holes in the top of the bottles... that weakens the nipple and if the baby is overly hungry it may suck too hard and pull the top off the nipple and choke on it. Use a spoon; it takes longer especially for babies under 6 months old but they need to learn sooner or later and it only takes just a few days or so for them to get the hang of it. I started my daughter out on rice cereal at 5 and 12 months of age because the pediatrician told me to... and at that point I don't think my daughter could have "held out" two more weeks; she was at that point between being satisfied with breastmilk and formula and happy and the i'm always hungry stage. But definatley check with the pediatrician before you start altering your babie's diet. The link below has tons of information on there regarding feeding schedules.

Answer 5

Breast milk is the best thing for as long as possible. If you are going to give cereal, Never put cereal in a bottle, it causes tooth decay and obesity.

From the website - http://life.familyeducation.com/baby/foods/40674.html

Answer: Although many grandmothers and neighbors may swear that a little cereal in their newborn's bottle helped him sleep better, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend introducing cereal and other solid foods until four to six months of age. Before that age, young infants need only breastmilk or formula.

Answer 6

Add a little rice cereal into his formula, when he's 4 months try giving him some off the spoon. My son LOVES his cereal! And was eatting off the spoon ot 4 months.

Answer 7

Wait until 6 months for solid foods. Infants under 6 months do not have a fully developed digestive system.

I would recommend the book "Super baby foods" It has a complete guide of when it is appropriate to introduce each type of food.

Answer 8

Wait until the baby's at least 4 months old. Then pick one cereal to start with - rice is most common - and try it once or twice a day.

Answer 9

I'd say the general "rule" is when the baby is able to sit up unassisted (usually around 6 months) then it's ok to start cereal/yogurt/baby food. Also, before then, their stomach and intestines aren't able to properly digest the food and you many end up with a very gassy and uncomfortable baby.

Answer 10

yep...it's a bit early but it can be done. Personally? We waited until 8 months to do this. Only because my wife was producing more than enough milk to feed our child. We only did the cereal to give him a heavier meal to get him to sleep through the night. Do it gradually though so that if there's an allergy or one that doesn't sit well with your child you can avoid that one until he/she's a bit older.