how old can you start babies on rice cereal?

Question

i have a 3 month old daughter not gaining weight fast dr.'s are not concerned nut how ever i was just wondering how soon should i start her on rice cereal...

Answer 1

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, wait until your daughter is 6 months old. Breast milk and formula have more calories and are easier to digest than rice cereal. So they're much better for a 3 month old.

Answer 2

It depends on your goals and what the doctor says.

I would say that you should not try rice cereal on a spoon until your daughter is old enough to sit up on her own.

We started rice cereal in my daughter's formula to try to combat the reflux and make the milk heavier. That did help so we kept doing it. She got about 1 teaspoon per ounce of milk (or formula which by 6 months we were using that in conjunction with the milk).

Just make sure to talk it through with your Dr. If you do choose to put it in a bottle make sure you get bigger nipples. We had to go up to 4 to let the milk out becuase it was thicker. Also if you are breast feeding this would mean you would have to supplement with formula or pump to be able to put the cereal in a bottle.

But if the doctor's are not concerned about her weight then she is probably fine. They will track her on a chart where you can see the gains and hopefully feel better. She is probably in a lull and will all of a sudden eat like a pig and get huge! They tend to do that to there mommies!

The choice is yours, but be sure to consult with the doctor to make sure. The amounts I said were prescribed to us for the reflux and there might be different ones to reach your goals.

The plus to the cereal is the fortified iron and other nutrients which are good for the baby. Always start slow to make sure it sits will with your daughter. Do not worry about here development she sounds fine so far!

Answer 3

You can start her as early as 4 months, just make sure she is still getting the formula/breastmilk. I started my son early because he wasn't gaining weight and it helped. Every baby in my family was started early. My brother was put on it by his doctors at 2 months because he couldn't keep anything down and was losing weight so fast. The thickness of his bottles after the cereal was added helped it stay down.

Answer 4

At 4 months

Answer 5

My son has been on oatmeal cereal since he was 2 months old. And what dr say its all good... In my family everyone used it and all the babies are healthy adults now.. Just add a small scoop to his bottle at nite...
1. he will sleep al nite.. =)
2. He will gain weight steadily and not too fast..

DO NOT OVERDUE.. Once a day is enough!

Answer 6

6 months minimum. If she's hungry now, nurse her more, or add an extra ounce to her bottle if you're formula feeding. Feed her more often. If she's gaining at all, and having an appropriate number of wet and dirty diapers a day, then she's fine.

Answer 7

She really should on be getting only breast milk (preferably) or formula until closer to 6 months.

Rice cereal isn't particularly good or necessary for babies.

Answer 8

just came from the 4 month visit... doctor said that i can start my daughter on barley or rice cereal and to also introduce her to veggies which I will puree myself instead of buying that jar food.... can't wait till the bananas...yum yum...mom likes that too....hehheheehe

Answer 9

between 4 and 6 months but don't stop breast and or formula feeding as well at least untill your baby's first birthday.
for more info...
http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc