How soon can I give my son cereal? Can I add it to his formula?

Question

He's 1 month old.

Answer 1

Usually your doctor will say wait until 3-4 months before starting cereal in the bottle.

What Dr. Sears has to say about solids.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/t032000.asp

Answer 2

"Experts" say not until 4 months old but if your son has a hard time keeping food down then a lot of people recomend putting a little in the bottle to help thicken it to stay down. As for being spoon fed, your child will let you know when he is able to eat other foods. If you put a little bit of cereal or mashed potatoes on your finger and he swallows it instead of spits it out the you can work your way up to spoonfuls from there. Right now your son is very youngh so don't rush to solids quite yet. Not only do you have to worry about food allegies but their little digestive systems are not fully developed. A relative fed my son too much table food when he was really little and it hurt his little butt when it came out the other end. Wait another month and see if he'll try a little dab of potatoes or cereal on your finger and go from there. Honestly there is no rush and if there are food allergies in your family then you want to play it on the safe side. Bottle feeding is a lot easier and less messier than table food. Believe me, my son is 14 months and I feel like I'm constantly getting up to get him a snack and cleaning up all his messes.

Answer 3

Ask your ped. Mine does not recommend cereal for babies under the age of six months. There may be a reason for a doctor to suggest it earlier (such as severe reflux) but from my understanding, it is best to wait. If it simply to fill the baby up so that they can sleep through the night, it is probably not a good idea.
Oh, and to the people who say that a baby not on solid won't sleep through the night:
My 7 week old has been sleeping through the night since she was 4 1/2 weeks, and she is exclusively breastfed.

Answer 4

My son didn't start on cereal until 4.5 months, but I think the guidelines have changed to 6 months. This is to prevent food allergies. Also, wait a couple of weeks before you introduce new foods. For example, give him rice cereal for 2 weeks, then try wheat cereal for 2 weeks, ect.

Answer 5

To prevent food allergies &/or stomach problems in the future, children should never be given any solids/foods until at least 4 months old. The only thing a baby needs from 0-4 mos is breast milk or formula.

Answer 6

Do not give cereal in the bottle unless directed by a pediatrician for a medical need.
Studies show that it is best to delay solids until at least 6 months of age is best, as baby's tummy is not ready for foods, and earlier introduction increases risk of digestive issues, childhood obesity, and allergies.

Answer 7

Depends on the child. Most should wait till at least 3 months. Closer to 4, really. I gave my daughter cereal with her formula at 3 months. She was eating baby food at 4 months. I cleared it with my doctor first though.

Answer 8

i gave my daughter cereal at 3 months and i mixed it with the formula. By 4 months she was on oatmeal. but start slow. very slow cuz they tummys need to get use to it! good luck and congrats

Answer 9

My daughter was getting cereal at 3 weeks old. She was not getting enough to satisfy her hunger, and could not be comforted. My husband suggested cereal in her last bottle of the night, and she has slept through the night since about 5 weeks of age (she is now 10 months).

There are some schools of thought that no solids or cereals should be given until 5 or 6 months of age, that is fine for parents that believe in that. I beg of you not to let other mothers make you feel bad. YOU follow YOUR instincts when it comes to YOUR child. If you feel that your child could benefit from cereal, go right ahead.

Good luck.

Answer 10

We just started on solids with our baby who just turned 4 mos. This is the age that our pedatrician recommended. We also feed him only with a spoon, not in the bottle. He doesn't do great, but he is learning!