Introducing Cereal to 3-Month-old

Google open gut! There is absolutely no reason you should start your son on solids at 3 months old unless he has severe reflux.

My son was 8 weeks premature and I can tell you that at 3 months he wouldn't have been anywhere near being able to take solids. Almost all babies still have the tongue thrust reflux at that age. Even when I tried at 6 months he wasn't ready and that was perfectly ok! Heck, my 37 week daughter wouldn't take solids till she was 9 months old!

Here is great information as to *why* it's a good idea to delay the introduction of solids (because *they* never seem to tell us why lol):

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/early-solid-food-feeding...

Stick with breastmilk only until he is at least 6 months old. It's the perfect food for him and he doesn't need anything else right now.

And you might consider getting a pediatrician who is better versed at caring for an exclusively breastfed baby. Some peds are great, knowledgable and supportive of the breastfed baby and others just don't know what they are talking about.

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You should not give your baby any solids until 6 months old and you don't really need to give cereal at all. Rice cereal is nothing but empty calories. Starting foods early can lead to allergies especially if there is a family history of allergies plus starting early can lead to other problems. Even if your ped still says to start I would hold off anyways. When you do start always nurse first then offer food. Solids in the first year are just for fun and to experiment with. All your baby really needs the first year is breast milk and thats where the majority of nutrition should still come from after starting solids.

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Great job trusting your instinct!! I am no doctor but there is no way I would start food that early.

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It absolutely matters if you have eczema, especially allergy/asthma related. Your children are more likely to develop both because of that.
I didn't start my children on ANY solid food until 6mo, up to that time, their gut is not producing the right enzymes to break down grains, or proteins apart from those provided by breastmilk (or formula). You can actually create allergies by introducing foods too soon.

I say wait another couple of months, continue to breastfeed exclusively. You don't have to tell your doctor any of this, you do what feels right as her mother. The 4-month suggestion is outdated.

You can read more about it here:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

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No way would I start solids this early. I didn't start my daughter until she was 5 1/2 months old and that was only because she seemed so interested in our food and she was getting hungry between her normal feedings. Not only can you create allergies, but starting solids is a pain in the butt (it is messy, takes so much time, and costs more too)! Delay it as long as you can! Breastfed babies don't need anything extra before 6 months-- that's when they start needing more iron, so don't worry about it until then.

One more thing-- a lot of people have said that rice cereal has no nutritional value, but most of them are fortified with iron, which is what breastfed babies need more of starting at 6 months. So it's your choice obviously whether or not to skip it, but I don't think it's completely useless. Formula fed babies don't need it necessarily because they get the iron in the formula, but breastfed babies need more than they are getting in breastmilk at 6 months old.

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I am certainly not a doctor, but that does seem really early. And especially since your baby was born premature.
SO wonderful that you are exclusively breastfeeding - and all the research I've done implies that it truly is the very best thing you can do and has all the nutrients your baby needs, and is the safest for the development of your baby's gut (and everything else.) There may also be gag/swallowing issues when they are so young.
I reckon (again, I'm not a medical professional) there is less risk of allergies and irritations of gut etc if you purely breastfeed until the World Health Organization recommends. (6 months EBF, then intro solids, then BF as well to a minimum of 2 years.) It's the World Health Organization - surely they must have a clue? :)

I would wait until 6 months (some moms even wait a little longer!) before introducing solids. Did that with my son, and I am still continuing to BF him (he is 14 months now and thankfully very healthy and thriving.)

Also, good for you for not just blindly accepting what your doctor says. Even medical professionals disagree on some issues.

All the best to you!

p.s. Re any recommendations to feed cereal to help a baby sleep through the night - studies have shown this to be a fallacy. And it makes sense too - there is far more protein and fat in breastmilk which is going to make a baby feel fuller than rice cereal. And honestly, it's not necessary to rush the sleep through the night thing. I am not an AP mom but I fed on demand and only night weaned at around 9 months (when he was only eating 1-2 times per night anyway.) He now easily sleeps 10-11 straight hours every night.

you are correct, there is much scientific evidence that infants don't get the proper enzymes to digest and handle solids prior to 4 mos old. But I am honestly not sure about preemies. Perhaps you should contact a preemie organization that would be better able to handle your unique case. Because when you said 11 wks, I was like, um, honey, you are right there at 4 mos. Then you brought up adjusted age and I honestly don't know!!

Also there is evidence that delaying foods past the end of the 6th month can backfire in numerous ways. They can actually have eating issues due to that type of a delay. I have seen it first hand as well.

My son is almost 5 months old, and I still have yet to start him on anything solid (he is still exclusively breastfed). I thought the recommendation was minimum 4 months, but we are choosing to wait until 6 months.

If your son is doing really well on breastmilk, why chance messing that up by adding cereal/food into the mix? IMHO, I would stick it out with breastmilk. :)

The pressure is ridiculous to start on solids and coming from a Dr is even worse. I would look into another Dr, or at the very least, ignore any nutrition/breastfeeding advice he gives you because he is obviously not up on it. A baby's digestive system is not ready for anything but breastmilk/formula until they are 6 months and yes, it does/can cause problems with allergies etc. There is no reason to start this, and esp the rice cereal. Most babies don't even have the tongue thrust reflex gone yet at this age which would make trying to feed them very frustrating.

It looks like you've gotten a lot of opinions here. I am going to have to agree...I would not start solids this early. I, too, am not a doctor. :) Its just my opinion as a mom.

I am the mother of a preemie (29 weeker, now 7), a 4 year old (full term) and a 2 month old (full term). Both of my older children had food allergies. "They" say to delay the introduction to foods later if there is a history of eczema and/or allergies.

Our pediatrician told us at our baby's 2 month appointment that we could start cereal at 4 months...I will be waiting until at least 6 months. She is exclusively breastfed and that's what we did with her 2 older brothers.

I wish you the best of luck. Don't rush the solids. Like the other moms said, the cereal is just getting them to practice eating. They've got their whole lives to eat. Enjoy this time.

I think a baby at 3 months old is too early for solids or cereal. The digestive system is underdeveloped. I would suggest waiting at least 6 months. What's the rush? Your son will have the rest of his life to eat solids LOL! I would wait especially if you are breastfeeding, he's getting everything he needs I'm sure. Congrats to you on your bundle of joy!!

I started my daughter on sollids at 4 months as recommended by her doctor. She has done great with them. I would give her fruits and veggies (3 days of one to make sure she did not have an allergy). I would ask your dr again because of the allergie/asthma problems. My hubby and I both have asthma and our daughter is fine so far. Good luck to you!

I introduced cereal to my daughter at 5 months because i wanted to make sure that her digestive system was developed enough for heavier foods. My doctor had given me a go ahead to give my daughter solid foods at four months but I felt that it was better to wait until I saw that she wasn't satisfied with only milk anymore. Maybe get a second opinion but maybe your doctor is seeing something your not, but if that is the case you have a right to know what he is basing his diagnosis on. Your the mommy though and your with your baby 24/7 so only you know if she is ready. The doctor can tell you it is okay but only you can make the final decision. It won't hurt her if you hold off for a while longer.

Breast is best. Wait until at least 6 months or when he really starts going for your food. They don't need it before then. The earlier you start foods, the more likely to open up the child to allergies and stomach problems. The breast milk completes the lining of the stomach and intestines for a much healthier baby. Congrats on your little guy!

My daughter was born a micro-preemie. My pediatrician was known as being knowledgeable about preemies & their care, but I was surprised how seldom he considered her "adjusted age" when recommending things to me. More than once, her nicu clinic had to tell me to NOT do what he'd suggested. One of those times it was because he said she no longer needed the higher calorie formula she was on. The nicu clinic STRONGLY disagreed, and they were surprised he recommeded that. They said that her brain was still developing during these early months, and the extra nutrition, fat and calories were VERY important for her. So I felt pretty let- down by his advice. Do you have a follow-up nicu clinic you could refer to? They are really the experts in preemie care. I can let you know the # to mine if you'd like it. Congrats on your little guy!

3 months is really early. Everything I have been told (including my doctor) has said you can start solids at 4 months if you want. But they is also another side that says it is even better to wait until 6 months so that the babies digestive system is almost fully developed. We chose to wait until 6 months.

Just from experience with our son and seeing our friends with their babies that started at 4 months, we are glad we waited. I can't for sure attribute his good digestive process to us waiting, but he did not have the digestive issues so many other babies had, like constipation.

There is really no reason to rush this process, since the only reason to start early is for the baby to practice that act of eating. There is definitively more nutrition in breast milk or formula, cereal/baby food does not have as much. So don't worry about nutrition if you want to start later.

Also, I believe I have read things about starting certain foods later if there is a predisposition for allergies to that particular food, say eggs or peanuts for example. But I'm not sure about allergies in general.

Hope that helps! Good luck with what ever you do.

Both my children were exclusively breastfed and we didn't introduce solids until 6 mos. I think as long as your son is developing at a good pace, you can probably wait. I agree with most posters that maybe you should seek out a second opinion. After all, your baby should be doing fine just nursing :)

I waited until 6 months with all 3 of my kids. That's what their doctors recommended. (They all had different doctors for their first years because we moved in between each child.) My sister-in-law, however, started all 3 of her kids between 3-4 months. I can tell you, from watching her, that those first couple months were pretty much a waste of a time. Her little ones weren't ready to eat from a spoon, it was far too early. She usually ended up with most of the cereal on the baby or her. It didn't become actual eating until around 5-6 months. She should have waited until then like I did. :-)

my son started cereal at 2 months old.. and my daughter at 6 mo. it's just different dr. i would have started her at 3 months.. but she was in korea at that time. is the baby sleeping thru the night.. if not... try some cereal.. it usually helps fill their tummy.

I would not start a baby on solids at 3 months. You are correct that the current suggestion is 4-6 months. I would definitely plan to wait at least until then, and if your baby is breastfed, there is really no rush to start solids, you can wait until 7 or 8 months if you want to.

I didn't introduce any solids until 6 months. I didn't hold any type of food back except honey (because of botulism). That was my Pediatrican's recommendation based on the NEW studies that show when things are held back from children/infants they are MORE susceptible to food allergies. I would follow that wisdom...or waiting until 4 mos for solids no matter what.

A very close friend is an allergist for children at North Shore University Health System and she COMPLETELY concurs with my Pediatrician's recommendations.

I might also consider finding a new Pediatrician.

I would not introduce solids this early, especially cereal.
Cereal is just a trainer food, it has no nutritional value.
Wait till 6months and skip the cereal and go strait to the fruits and veggies.
I Wouldn't take the risk especially with his daddy already had allergies.

From what I've seen and heard I personally wouldn't give any baby food that young, especially a preemie. My daughter was born late and 10 pounds and even with her I wanted until 5 months to introduce foods. There's no reason to rush it, and it can probably only do harm to give it that early by developing allergies. Hold off a few more months.

probably best to wait until 5-6 months.

i think that it is WONDERFUL that you are questioning your docs opinion especially with the inflammatory conditions you and your husband have. There is absolutely NO reason to start solids with a 3 month old especially a breastfed one. Please realize your doctor has little to NO training in breastfeeding.

Now the reason why one shouldnt start foods until closer to 6 months is this. The childs gut doesnt have a filter on it like you and I. Reason being so all those large wonderful antibodies you are giving him when you nurse can pass right into his system! now the reason they say that begins to diminish at 6 months is because the babys gut begins to filter out the larger molecules, breaking them down. SO when you feed a young child those large food molecules he is just taking them all in without breaking them down and filtering them. Another thing is iron. The iron in fortified cereals interferes with the absorption of the iron in your breastmilk. Also bacteria can utilize that iron to multiply, they cant use the form of iron in your breastmilk. I beg that you research this on your own and delay solids until at least 6 months.

You are nursing, any food you give your child is substituting your superior breastmilk for an inferior food, and for what reason? Obviously we need to feed chidren foods before a year but its for PRACTICE not nutrition....look up other countries as well cereal is not a child's first food as they lack a ton of enzymes to break it down, most start with meat. anyways good luck and keep looking out for your child!