is it ok to start my almost 4 month old on rice cereal?

Answer 1

BLATANTLY NOT.

What 'Do Your Own Thinking' Said.

Please don't mess around with your child's future health. Listen to to experts and NO SOLIDS BEFORE 6 MONTHS. Regardless of size of baby, appetite of baby, gestation at birth, ability of baby.......I've heard all these bandied about.

6 Months is the absolute earliest recommended by EVERY HEALTH AUTHORITY IN THE WORLD.

If I seem like I'm shouting, why don't you try searching for questions before asking, you'd have found two hundred identical queries and not wasted your points.

Answer 2

It depends on if you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Most pediatricians will say wait until 6 months, but if your baby is on formula it is usually ok to start cereal at 4 months. It isn't necessary though, and it is an old wives tale that cereal will help your baby sleep better. You should also only feed cereal with a spoon, never put it in the bottle.

Answer 3

Why would you want to?

It's not particularly nutritious, and many organizations recommend waiting until six months. It is fortified wallpaper paste with a vitamin pill stirred in; I wouldn't let it near my baby. If you want to give your baby rice, cook brown rice and smush it up.

"The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):

World Health Organization
UNICEF
US Department of Health & Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada"

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

"Cereals started as an important part of a child's diet back when the infant formula companies couldn't get an absorbable form of iron into the formula. They then fortified rice cereal with iron and introduced the rice cereal early into the diet as a way to make sure the kids got the iron...

Now, all the infant formulas are fortified with iron and of course, breastmilk has an abundant and easily absorbable supply of iron in it, so we really don't need an extra source. If you take away the iron in the cereals, it's just starch...

That's a long explanation to say that I don't really think the cereals are necessary-- they aren't a good source of nutrition and they don't make kids sleep and may, with the new info on the link to diabetes, be actually be harmful. The AAP says 6 months without solids...we are learning that the rush to solids foods is NOT a good idea."

http://www.drjen4kids.com/myths/mythrice.htm

Answer 4

I started my daughter on rice cereal around 4-5 months when she was able to hold her head up. The doc says if she can hold her head up by herself then her swallowing reflexes have developed enough for her to less likely choke. I also started it when her 8oz. of formula feeding just wasn't enough. I did mix a little formula w/the cereal and it did the trick. I did it once a day for a bit and then moved up from there. Once she was good at that she loved it when I would mix baby jar food like peaches or apricots in w/her cereal.

Answer 5

Yes.

Always check with the doctor first. They can give you the amount of cereal per ounce of milk or formula. They say to wait to spoon feed them until they can sit up on their own.

My daughter got rice cereal in her bottles at 6 weeks and up. My other we started around 3 months in some of her bottles a day.

Just remember to try and make sure they get between 18-24 ounces of milk or formula (or both) a day. My doctor said that she would get concerned if the baby drank less than 18 ounces a day. So just make sure your baby still gets enough liquid.

You will have to get bigger nipples if you add cereal to the bottle. I had to go up to 4 to get the milk and cereal to come out and my baby to not get frustrated.

(Unfortunatly I can not tell you if the cereal will make a difference in sleeping at night. One girl slept better and the other is still working it out. I think the sleep is a personality thing! But they are still cute (even at 2 AM, oh and 3 AM and sometimes 4:30! ;-) )

Answer 6

I personally wouldn't, but it varies with every child. I was told to wait until 6 months, but I started trying foods with my son at 5 months. You can try it out, but don't worry if your baby doesn't take to it quite yet. Be aware that rice cereal may cause constipation in some babies too. If you decide to go ahead with it make sure to give very little bits at a time and make sure its pretty watered down with formula or breast milk. Young babies don't do very well with thick consistencies.

Answer 7

It's now suggested to wait until 6 months before starting the cereal or any other baby foods.

There is really no nutritional need for the cereal. Breastmilk and/or formula is all that a baby needs for the first 6 months.

Answer 8

Honey at the same time as a baby starts taking in solids their formulation intake decreases. they must have informed you this. My son changed into began on rice cereal in accordance to his Dr's request previous to he grew to change into 3 months. He on the time changed into ingesting 3-4 oz. each and every 3 hours around the clock. As their tummy grows their intake will boost again. If she remains having moist diapers and your dr doesnt see any issues keep doing what your doing. My son is now 10 months {born 5 weeks early} eats solids 3 cases an afternoon and his formulation intake is about 32 oz. proper the position his dr says it will be. He also takes in water and probably 4 oz. of juice{theory infrequently} in accordance to day. again all this his dr is time-honored with of. I dont advance my baby through any e book or all and sundry telling me "what's wonderful or the professionals say" I do what's ideal through my baby.

Answer 9

Check with your pediatrician first. The general age is 4-6 months to start, but many pediatricians are recommending waiting til closer to 6 months now to start.

Answer 10

absolutely, i started putting cereal in my lil girls bottles at 2 months...it helps keep them full longer, and definitely helps them sleep longer...if you want to start spoon feeding, mix the cereal with breast milk (or formula), or even with fruit puree...