My 5 month old is refusing Cereal?

Question

The first day I tried, she seemed fine. From the next day onwards she seemed very disinterested and sometimes would even cry. I tried Oatmeal first she seemed to have rashes from it. So I then switched to rice cereal. No allergies from it. But both Oatmeal and Rice she did not want.

I next tried bananas, again the first day she was fine. From the second day she exhibited the same behavoiur as the Cereal, disinterest and crying. For last 4 days I have stopped solids and she is on formula alone.

Any thoughts/suggestions on what I should do next.

My Ped asked me to start the cereral when she was 4 months. Start with cereal for 4 days and then start fruit.

Answer 1

wait a month and try again, she may just not be ready. at this age she gets all she nees from milk anyway

Answer 2

hold off for a few weeks and try again when she is 6 months old. I had a similar experience with my oldest, she just might not be ready. "solid" food is facinating to babies but not all are ready before they are 6 months old. Make sure the cereal is really thin(6 parts liquid to 1 part cereal) when you first start. Once she has the grasp of thicker rice cereal then you can try other cereals and solids. introduce one new food at a time about every 2-3 days. it takes some babys 5-6+ tries to accept a new food so be patient and watch out for constipation. She needs to learn how to draw food to back of her mouth. this is a learned technique so you'll spend most of those first feeding cleaning up spit up food. Her formula should still be her primary source of nutrition and calories for the first year. I'd say patience is the key. if she continues to have problems you should speak with her doctor and he/she can make sure she doesn't have an unseen problem with her palate or stomach.

Answer 3

It could be she is just not interested in eating solids yet. Most pediatricians say to wait until they are 6 months old anyways, so it is still a little bit early to start introducing solids, and she may just need more time. I wouldn't force the issue...if she is crying she is telling you that she is not interested and you should back off and try again at another date in time. I also think you should be firmly established with cereal before you start introducing fruits and vegetables. Babies stomachs are very delicate, and cereal is the gentlest thing for them to learn to digest. If you start giving her heavier foods before she is ready she will just get stomach aches, and will associate it with eating and not want to eat anymore. Feeding should be a happy, enjoyable experience for both of you...there is no rush, just relax and give her a little time before trying again. When you do start, introduce rice cereal first and then gradually introduce other cereals like oatmeal and barley. When you are firmly established with the cereals move onto the fruits and vegetables. I would recommend starting with the vegetables because babies tend to prefer the sweetness of fruit and you may have difficulty introducing vegetables after this preference is established. Don't worry about getting her to eat solids at such a young age, at this point it is just for practice not for calories, she is still reliant on milk to meet her nutritional needs.

Answer 4

Pack it up and wait until 7 mo. It's fine. 5 mo. is actually on the early end for introducing solids. If she has any teeth, make sure you are brushing them with a toothbrush or a washrag on your finger twice a day. That will help her get used to having other textures in her mouth and on her lips. That's probably why she's crying...she is upset by the new tastes/textures. Take a step back. You have plenty of time!

Answer 5

I introduced cereal to my baby when he was almost five. I made a very thin consistency, just couple of spoon. I did not rely on it completely but was solely for the propose of introducing. If you check on different consistency and diff hours of the day, may be it will work. It is good that your are trying diff variety. However, with babies persistence works I guess.

Answer 6

My son wasnt really interested in solids either... Your child doesnt need it yet. Wait a few weeks then try again. I have to mix bananas with cereal he still hates cereal and hes 7 months.

Answer 7

Don't worry so much about solid at 5 months. Most baby aren't ready until 6 months. Just wait a month and try it again. Every pediatrician is different and will give you different months for you to give solid. Mine didn't let us start until my son was 51/2 months. Then he took it pretty well. Now everytime he sees me with a plate or bowl, he thinks it's for him and reaches for it.

Answer 8

Well, she doesnt really need anything but formula for the next few months anyways. If she is refusing it.....give it a month and try again. I wouldnt introduce too many things either.....a few weeks on rice cereal before introducing anything else!

Answer 9

she may not be ready, just go a couple days then try the cereal again. i would stick with the rice for the first couple weeks or so then try oatmeal again

Answer 10

give it some time. try putting a little bit of it in her bottle, about a scoop of formulas worth.(1tablespoon) she may not be ready for eating yet. my baby did the same thing and TRUST ME, they will let you know when they are ready to be spoonfed or any other thing they need to do in life. if you push them to the point of tears they will dispise it and see it as a negitive thing. defentally put the cereal in the bottle and dont make it to thick,and dont be suprised if she doesnt eat the whole bottle. the cereal will add weight and make her feel full sooner!!! i truely wish you good luck!!! (as the baby gets use to it add a little more cereal, then try the spoon again...)

Answer 11

i agree with the first person, try again in a month or so. your child will get enough nutrition from the formula for now, and may not be mentally ready for the baby food! good luck!!