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I am starting my son on cereal tomorrow (he is 4 months and one week). Any tips on how I do this? I was going to wait until he was 5 months bc I thought it was better to wait but today at my WIC appt she told me I need to start now bc they can get diabetes later and all this other stuff. I do not get if they tell us to start at 4 months then why do they not pay for it until they are 6 months when they say it is better to start? Ironic huh! Also my son has cradle cap (I think thats the name) on his head. What should I do to fix that? Is that something I can do or should I ask his dr at his appt this thurs? Thanks

2007-11-27 15:39:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting Newborn & Baby

I bought some organic rice cereal tonight :)

2007-11-27 15:56:13 · update #1

Thanks you all bc I did not want to start him on this yet but she made me feel like I was a bad mom (even laughing at me). I told her I just wanted what was best for him. She was even acting like Drs were dumb. I was like ok shes not even one how can she say this.

2007-11-27 16:03:49 · update #2

And she said the APP says we should do it at 4 months! She was like this is not what I think I can show you this is medical advise and what needs to be done.

2007-11-27 16:06:26 · update #3

13 answers

I'm not an American, I'm not on WIC, and that's something of a relief given how bad the advice being given out in the name of WIC seems to be, based on Q&A here... Why are these people dishing out baby-raising advice, anyway? Very confusing. There was one study linking late (and early) introduction of cereal to an increased diabetes risk, but that was at 7+ mths. See:

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

It *is* better to wait until six months, and rice cereal is completely unnecessary anyway.

"Health experts and breastfeeding experts agree that it's best to wait until your baby is around six months old before offering solid foods. There has been a large amount of research on this in the recent past, and most health organizations have updated their recommendations to agree with current research. Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they're telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.

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

Do NOT put cereal in a bottle. There is a choking risk, and the idea is to teach baby to eat.

Personally, I wouldn't go near the stuff. It's vitamin-fortified wallpaper paste.

"Have you checked out the taste and texture of commercial baby cereal? Pour some commercial rice cereal in a bowl. It has no smell. The taste is the very definition of bland. The cereal is made from refined rice that has been processed and precooked. Refined grains have nothing to offer but carbohydrates. Whole grains, on the other hand, contain not only carbohydrates but also protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, essential minerals, and life. The germ is still intact. If you put a whole grain in water, it sprouts. If you put commercial baby cereal in water, it makes paste. Why train your baby to want this? By pre-toasting organic whole grains, grinding them in a small electric grinder, and cooking the grains with water, you can create a fresh, delicious, nutrient-dense cereal with taste, texture, and aroma."

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/food/kitchen_baby.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

2007-11-27 15:45:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4 1

Regarding the cradle cap, you can take small amount of baby or mineral oil and a really soft toothbrush and lightly brush in a circular motion on the areas where the greasy scales are, they should come right off and the just shampoo the oil off with baby shampoo. They also sell some cradle cap lotions and kits but it's basically the same thing. If it is way too excessive or all over your babies head and not coming off with the at home remedies, he may need to have some lotions prescribed by his ped.

About the cereal, good luck!!! Since it's his first time, don't expect things to go smoothly!!! Start with rice cereal and mix it with formula to a smooth and liquidy consistency at first, you can warm it up a bit if you'd like. Remember that your baby will be very new at this and be patient and read his cues. Babies at his age might not know how to move solid food to the back of their throat and swallow yet so he might just spit the cereal right back out, don't force it. You may only get one spoonful in at first but be patient. After several feedings, eventually your baby will get it. Personally we waited until our daughter was 6 months but if your baby seems ready at 4 months and you have discussed it with your ped, go for it, just always read and follow your babies cues when it comes to feeding. Good luck and enjoy the learning experience!! :)

2007-11-27 23:52:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

When I told the lady at my wic office that I had started my son on rice cereal at 4 months she asked me why....It's okay to start them that early, but most of the time they're not ready for it and tend to gag or push the food out of their mouth. If your son does this then ease off for a few weeks and then try again, he probably isn't ready. You don't have to start it early, there's no chance of diabetes, in fact, the earlier you start on normal foods the higher it is to effect the baby adversely. I would wait a little while and ask your doctor on Thursday.

And about the craddle cap, it's really nothing to worry about. It's just the same as dandruff in adults...one way to get rid of it is after you give him a bath take some baby oil and put it in his hair and rub the spot that has craddle cap. Once you've done that take a fine tooth comb and gently scrape it against his scalp. Be careful of his soft-spot. That should help loosen and pull the dry skin away from his scalp. No need to consult a doctor on this issue, it's very common.

2007-11-28 01:29:46 · answer #3 · answered by Dani 5 · 0 0

That sounds like CRAP. About diabetes later on in life. What about starting to early and stuffing up his digestive system?? Don't they know that? I would wait till he is 6 months or acting like he is ready. Which ever comes 1st. As for the cradle cap. It's a pain in the butt. My daughter is 21 months and still has it slightly. If he has thick and long hair most of the remedies won't help much. You need to get the solutions directly on to the scalp. You can try baby oil,leave for an hour or so then wash his hair. WILL have oily hair for many washes after. Or you can try bi-carb soda mixed with water to make a paste and put it on his head (like icing a cake,lol) and leave it over night then wash it out. It's very messy and shouldn't be done if it's cold. Or there are solutions at the chemist, but found they worked the LEAST. Not to mention all the chemicals in them. Good luck

2007-11-27 23:49:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

I'm in Canada and we were told to wait until 6 months at least because their stomach is not able to handle it yet and they can be in pain.

Anyway, you want to bottle/breast feed first, then give cereal so they aren't eating it quickly and then getting sick because they don't realize it takes time to feel full with cereal, unlike milk. Then they aren't giving up milk for the cereal. About a teaspoon to start(teaspoon of dry mixed with water), working up to a tablespoon at the end of the week. Once a day is good for the first week. I'd always give it to my kids first thing in the morning to get them into a routine and then start at supper as well after a couple of weeks.

Be sure to make it completely watery at first or they will choke. Slowly thicken it up and after a month or so, you should be able to have a normal texture that they can handle but you'll have to judge that over time.

You can use mineral oil for cradle cap and then use a baby comb - wipe some off as well.

2007-11-27 23:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

There are shampoos out there than can help take care of cradle cap, I would consult with your doctor first about that though, just to be on the safe side. :)

As for the cereal, you can start your baby on it when you are comfortable with it, 4 months is the earliest b/c some parents get anxious to start feeding their babies something other than milk all the time. 6 months is the ideal time since their digestive systems are more developed. My daughter is on WIC and 4 months old. We are already getting vouchers for the cereal but they cannot tell you when to feed your baby. The earlier you start them on foods the more likely they are to develop allergies later on. They were just trying to scare you with the diabetes, a healthy diet and exercise is the best way to prevent that. If you want to start him at 5 months then start him at 5 months, the people at the WIC office are trying ot be helpful but most of them base their help and advice on their on parenting techniques and beliefs.

Your baby has to be ready for it too.

2007-11-27 23:48:53 · answer #6 · answered by Emma's Mommy 2 · 1 0

That WIC lady is full of it! My WIC lady suggested waiting till 5 or 6 months to be sure his tummy could handle it, she also assured me it was ok to take it slow, as feeding a baby his first solid foods befre 1 yr of age is more for development and learning to eat solid foods for when they feed themselves, not for actual nutritional value, its ok to feed your baby only breastmilk or formula for the whole first year, though he will need to learn to eat from a spoon and learn to chew and swallow solid foods. Also, rice cereal is a good source of iron, so that is a good choice to start with.

As for the cradle cap, my son's doc said the best treatment for it was Selsun Blue. Take a very small amount, lay baby down so that nothing can drip into his eyes cuz it realy burns, but just for a minute. take a baby brush and gently rub the scalp, carefull not to scrub, that will just make it worse. Rub for about 1 minute, then rinse and apply a moisture rich lotion. baby oil is also good to use, but it is very messy and.....oily, and is only a temporary fix until it goes away on its own. Seslun Blue will treat the problem.

2007-11-28 01:39:10 · answer #7 · answered by proud parent 2 · 0 0

There is special shampoo in the baby wash section made specifically for cradle cap, but it's not tear free so be careful with it. It is a little pricey, definitely more than regular baby shampoo, but not to much more.

As for the cereal, make it runny not thick. His biggest challenge is going to be learning how to push the food to the back of his mouth and swallow. He'll probably waste more than he swallows the first few times! This is normal. He'll eventually get it.

Good luck tomorrow!

2007-11-27 23:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by Mamma of 3 4 · 0 0

They make a little comb for cradle cap. Put baby oil on his head and let it sit for a while, then comb thru it with the cradle cap comb (preferably in the tub). It works wonders, my daughter had it terribly bad and it was the only thing that helped.

As for the cereal, use rice cereal and use formula (or breast milk) to mix it with and spoon it to him. Don't make it too thick, make sure he can easily swallow it. If he isn't used to eating any form of solids he might not take to the spoon too well. If he doesn't keep trying daily or every other day, he'll get the hang of it. Some people put a little cereal in the milk bottle. If you do this you need to make sure the hole is big enough for the formula to come out but not too big where it comes out too fast and he chokes.

2007-11-27 23:45:19 · answer #9 · answered by sjsalerno 2 · 1 3

Definately talk to the doc but for the craddle cap, we just always put the shampoo on the little brushes and when we shampoo our son, use the brush instead of our hands and he hasnt gotten it at all yet. As with the cereal....my doc had me start at 4 months. I found it is easier for me and the baby if it is thick enough to stick to the spoon and feed him that way. Start with a tablespoon of cereal and a tablespoon of liquid and up it as he is able to eat more.

2007-11-27 23:50:51 · answer #10 · answered by Kayla H 3 · 0 1

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