babies eating cereal?

Question

My son turns 4 months today. We tried giving him cereal last weekend, but it gave him really bad gas, and we were up all night with a tummy ache.
Should we wait longer?

I would like to add he went to the doctor last week, and they told me it was time to start cereal...

Answer 1

The doctor told me also to start my son at 3 mths on cereal because he would only throw up formula. i would say dont listen to everyone thats telling you its not time if the doctor says its ok it should be ok. I would try putting it in his formula or breastmilk bottle first. Let him get used to it so his body can adjust. then if that doesnt work try a different type of cereal. I know my son enjoys the oatmeal better then the rice cereal. it would be worse to give him applesauce before the cereal though in my opinion. Just try the cereal in the bottle first start off with a teaspoon and move up from there.

Answer 2

Every baby and every pediatrician has their own views on when to begin solids. If you go by the current recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, waiting until a baby is 6 months old is suggested. Some babies may be ready at 4-5 months and some pediatricians will give the go-ahead to start solids at this age, but solids really are just a supplement to breast milk and/or formula for now and aren't really necessary. A baby's digestive system is still pretty undeveloped at 4 months and ingesting anything but breast milk or formula (even if they love eating cereal) can really bring on the gas and stomach upset for some babies. There is a large window of opportunity to introduce solids. Sometime between 4-8 months most babies will begin to eat solids so your son is just at the beginning of this stage of his life. If his little tummy isn't ready than waiting a few weeks or even a month or two may be just what his digestive system needs to efficiently break down solid foods which prevents excess gas. Also, about 6 months a baby's intestines begin secreting the protein called immunoglobulin that prevents allergens from passing into the bloodstream thus reducing the risk of allergy development. I suggest that you wait longer and try again later. My youngest child is now 10 and did not eat anything but breast milk until she was 6 1/2 months old. She would probably have held out longer, but I panicked about her not getting enough nutrition and forced the issue. Later, at her 9 month check-up she still wasn't eating much in the way of baby food so our wonderful doctor said skip the baby food and let her have mashed table food. She took to that immediately and within days was eating everything offered to her. She is the best eater in our family. Sometimes babies know what they need better than we do!

Answer 3

I have given my son cereal for a while but he has ALWAYS had gas.. One of my friends use to work for a pediatrician and she said if you go to your local grocery store you can buy peppermint tea. Make the tea as it says on the back of the box and put a teaspoon of the tea in every bottle you make for your son. There is NO caffeine or anything in the tea that will harm your baby. You should try it out. I have not bought gas drops for my son in a month or so.. The tea really help, it may take a few days to start working to its full effect but when you finally get it in the baby's system, IT DOES WONDERS..

Answer 4

Yes. Also make sure to make a very runny mixture of it with either breast milk or formula. Feed 1 to 2 tea spoons at the most. The idea is not to fill his belly it is just to get him used to new textures and flavors as well as test for possible allergic reactions.

4 months is the earliest you can start. Rice cereal is supposed to be first because it is the blandest.
Wait another week and then give it a try.

Good luck.

Answer 5

If it gave him that bad of gas, I would wait. They have a study out that says kids handle digestion better at 6 months of age, and should be on just formula or breast milk until 6 months, although most doctors do recommend 4 to 6 months. Good luck!

Answer 6

You are supposed to wait until baby is at least 6 months old before introducing rice cereal. It has been known to cause acid reflux if given sooner. I mixed the cereal with a little breastmilk or formula.

Answer 7

Yes, four months is pretty early to start with cereal, wait a couple of weeks and see how he takes it.

Answer 8

yes just wait try giving him Gerber applesauce 1 stage.... in his formula then in about 2 weeks try about 2 tablespoons of cereal..

Answer 9

you should wait until he is 6 months

Answer 10

My daughter turns 4 months tomorrow! We're going to start her on a TINY bit gradually to get her system used to it..maybe if you try that he won't have so much trouble? But if he still does, wait a little longer!

Good luck!