do I breastfeed then feed cereal?
2007-03-20 08:36:37 · 14 answers · asked by Robyn M 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Depends on the age. If your baby is under six months, you shouldn't give cereal at all. After about six months, based on whether or not your child is ready (not on whether or not YOU are ready -- see link below), you should offer the breast first, then solids. Until the first birthday, breastmilk should remain the main food source for your child (75% breastmilk, 25% solids). Cereal is mostly a filler that does not have much nutritional value at all.
2007-03-21 08:31:26 · answer #1 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest feeding baby cereal between breast feeding meals. Cereal is in addition to normal breast feeding. I always mixed my baby's cereal with water or juice, not breast milk, probably because I was to lazy to pump. They did like it that way, they got different tastes. It does depend on your child's age, if you should add juice or not. Vitamin C does help with the absorbution of Iron.
So I say keep your breastfeeding schedule, feed baby half way between first morning and second morning nursing. that way, if there is a reaction it does not keep you up all night long. Once you know your baby tollerates cereal well, then start a late evening cereal as well, after that goes well, add one in the middle of the day.
2007-03-20 15:47:07 · answer #2 · answered by Renee B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is the routine that has worked for nearly every mom I've ever met: At bedtime, first, you serve cereal. It depends on your baby's weight etc. as to whether or not you'd use milk or water. Then, you'd bathe him...it'll be really messy. Dress him, then nurse/bottle feed until he falls asleep. Wipe his mouth out once he's sleeping gently with a rag; don't want bottle rot!
Good luck!
2007-03-20 15:55:22 · answer #3 · answered by Nice try 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. When you are first introducing solid foods you should think of them as "dessert" for your baby. Their little tummies are so small that they can't eat enough solids to equal the amount of calories they get from a feeding of breast milk. For that reason, you should breast feed FIRST to give them all the nutrition their body needs, then feed a little cereal to get them used to new tastes and textures :)
2007-03-20 15:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by western b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are many reasons to delay the introduction of solids. ESSPECIALLY for a breastfed baby.
One of the most important, in my opinion, is iron.
When a baby is taking in only breastmilk, they absorb alot of the iron from your milk. When you introduce any other food, it changes the way they absorb iron and could cause anemia.
Cereal is a HORRIBLE first food. Its extrememly processed and the synthetic iron they "fortify" it with can cause constipation. (not to mention its badly absorbed)
Wait until 6 months and you can play around with mushed (fresh) banana or avocado.
Fresh will ALWAYS be better than jarred. Jarred baby food is like canned veggies... it kinda looks the same, and kinda tastes the same... but does NOTHING for nutrtion. Its just filler, basically.
You can actually wait until your baby is picking up food themselves and then start with soft table foods... steamed veggies, and the like... That is the best way to go, IMO. It worked out really well with my son.
Either way, wait until at LEAST 6 months and start with fresh foods... if your baby starts with junk food, how to you expect them to develop a taste for good food?
2007-03-20 16:18:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I always used breast milk to mix with the baby cereal.
2007-03-20 15:39:20 · answer #6 · answered by RN_and_mommy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you nurse and then offer the cereal. You can use your breastmilk or water to mix the cereal.
2007-03-20 15:45:14 · answer #7 · answered by Rebecca C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.....breastmilk is the most important part of his diet. Solids in the first year are mostly for fun and practice. Nurse and then maybe 30 mins to 1 hour later, offer solids when baby is alert and happy.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html
2007-03-20 15:57:24 · answer #8 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes, you should breast feed and then offer cereal. you want him to fill up more on breast milk, if you do it the other way around he will fill up on cereal and not want very much breast milk which is what he really needs.
2007-03-20 15:48:58 · answer #9 · answered by krystal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES I THINK THAT IS THE BEST WAY THEN THE BABY GETS ALL THE MILK HE OR SHE NEEDS, THEN THE CEREAL SECOND, THE MILK HAS MORE OF WHAT HE OR SHE NEEDS
2007-03-20 15:41:17 · answer #10 · answered by whateverbabe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋