Cereal More than Once a Day?

Wow - 4 times a day seems like a lot, but then again every child is different. We also started solids at 4 months, with cereal for breakfast for a week, then at breakfast and dinner the next week, then all the yellow veggies at lunch, finally followed by the green veggies at lunch. My 7 month old is still only taking 2 tablespoons at breakfast and 1 tablespoon with some fruit at dinner.

Every baby is different. If you have the blessing of your pediatrician then go for it!

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I know it's easy to take the Dr's advice really literally, but what we did with my son was give him cereal when he was the most hungry and then just look for meal times when he wanted more. I started him on cereal at dinner first b/c he stopped sleeping through the night and was waking up hungry, then over time I added a little to lunch and I think breakfast was last for us. I always though that my son was really good at telling us when he was ready for all the new stuff (as long as we could figure out his signals!) so just try your best to watch her and see when she wants more.

L.

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At 4 mos. cereal feeding is more of a physical skill building activity (learning to use a spoon) and has about zero nutritional value. Four times a day is a lot of empty calories for a growing baby. As long as she gets enough breastmilk or formula (has enough wet and dirty diapers a day) then if she wants and enjoys the cereal, go for it.

As far as increasing the consistency or the number of times per day first, I don't think it matters which one. Just watch those diapers to see how she's responding. The last thing you want is constipation.

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Hey:
I'm not going to argue with your doc, but after everything I've read, I think that 4 months is pretty early for cereal. Studies show that healthy babies really don't need anything other than breastmilk for the first 6 months. We started our baby on cereal mixed with breastmilk in her bottle at around 51/2 months and didn't step up to spoon feeding a thicker consistency until 61/2 months. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that there's no need to rush into it! Take your time and enjoy this much-less-messy stage in life. :)

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since consistancy(sp) is as much to do with her getting used to something semi solid in her mouth as it is how much food she is actually getting i would start with the number of times a day she gets it and then gradually increase the thickness as she gets older. follow her cues though if she is really gumming the cereal and seems like she would like it thicker go for it but if she starts to gag on it then it's to thick (no duh right. she'll let you know what's best. good luck.

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