Is It Time for Rice Cereal?

Here is a great article about the subject: http://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=473 It gives the 'clues' you should go by to see if your little one is ready (example: the ability to sit up, hold head up and turn on their own, etc.). OH! By the way: the sleeping-through-the-night-if-you-give-cereal story is just that....a story. A Myth. It may work for some, but it isn't necessarily the healthiest choice for your baby. Best advice: Don't rush. (and NEVER put cereal in a bottle as it can be a choke hazzard - why take chances)

Two quotes from WebMD.com:

"According to the World Health Organization (WHO), babies should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life and products such as infant formula and baby foods should only be marketed for the use of babies older than age six months."

"Don't assume that you need to stop breastfeeding your baby just because she's starting to enjoy a variety of solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired."

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I completely agree with Stephanie T. Introducing solids before 6 months can cause digestive issues, increased risk of food allergies, and pose a choking hazard. Contact your pediatrician before starting cereal. I know a lot of people say they started their babies earlier than 6 months, but 6 months is the rule and general guideline.

It's completely normal for babies to start waking up again in the middle of the night. It's possible she's teething, or going through a growing spurt. My 16 month old has been sleeping through the night since she was around 4-6 weeks old, but she still occasionally has rough nights when she wakes up crying, especially when she's teething. Babies aren't supposed to sleep through the night all the time. Give it some time (a week or two), I can pretty much guarantee you that your daughter will get back on her schedule (only for it to change again =p ). Cereal will not necessarily make her sleep better. It's probably a better idea to instead increase the amount you nurse and bottle feed her during the day.

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4 months is about the time to start rice cereal. your dr. can discuss how much at your 4 month check up. I would try a small amount before bed time

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The American Acadamy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until six months to start any solids, including rice cereal. Their digestive systems are still immature and need time to become ready to digest foods. Also, another mama is right about the link to early food introductions and later food allergies. I would just wait until six months. Your baby is probably going through the usual four month growth spurt. It will pass.

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Check with your doctor, and even if they say it is okay to start cereal, I can guarantee you will be told not to put it in the bottle!

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I started cereal at 4 months and Emme has no allergies except that she's lactose intolerant. Just call your doc and ask his advice!

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I have a almost 4 year old boy and I started cereal in his bottle when he was 1 month. I know that doctors advise agianst it. But my parents did it and I'm fine so I thought why not. It was great he slept through the night from 4 weeks on!! Good luck and do what you think is best for your situation!!

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Yes, it's time! I gave my son cereal mixed with formula starting at age 1 month because he was never satisfied with just breast milk or formula. He was soooo much happier and slept so much better with a full tummy.

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Hi R., I would be very comfortable giving your baby some rice cereal before bed time. I did it with my son MUCH younger than yours and he did wonderful with it! I tried the breast feeding thing but it never did overly well for me. I didn't make enough milk and had to pump anyway because he wouldn't latch on. He was hungry every 1 1/2 - 2 hours! I finally had to switch him to formula. If i remember right (my son is 12 now) I think we would put just a few table spoons of cereal in the bottle. Just enough to thicken it up a little bit. Not sloppy looking (i've seen some moms get it almost oatmeal looking....YUCKO!!) but it was just enough to help him through the night. I know we had to make some of the nipples larger too so it would help get the milk through easier. Just thought i'd share my thoughts with you. Good luck with your baby girl.

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Try more breastmilk and less formula! There is a component (hind milk - so not necessarily a "quick feed")that will satisfy the baby - they will feel full. Their bodies are designed to work with the breastmilk. Formula, nor cereal, can provide that. Adding cereal now will likely add gasses and discomfortable "fullness". Once her body catches up to processing that, it'll only crave more because there is not any manufactured 'foods' that can provide what mom's milk can. I have four of my own children, but have been caring for other people's children for 10 years too. I have experienced many babies, many diets - this has always held true. Go make milk!! Best wishes.

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Hi R.,
Here is my honest advice:
1) Start her on rice cereal.
2) Start with 2 tablespoons mixed in with either BM or Formul. Make it a little soupy for starters.
3) Do not put it in her bottle, if you are going to start her on cereal do it the right way and feed her from a spoon.
4) You and her will be a mess so it's best to strip her down to her diaper and plan for a bath after wards.
5) I would give to her starting with once a day, I would start with her dinner. So this way she will have dinner and then a bedtime bottle.
6) If you have had her eating well and sleeping well and sleeping thru the night there is no reason to go backwards from this.
7) Now the other thing How much formula/breastmilk is she taking in a day ? Unless she is taking in more then 40 ounces and you are not getting her satisfied then I would. Other wise increase her bottles.
8) If you have reached 8 ounces with each bottle and she is nursing for quite a long time and still seems to not being satisfied then I would.

I understand about all the allergies and that stuff but not every child can hold off until 6 months and not eating solid food. If there are any allergies in you family then I would be concerned that she may have a reaction but other wise go for it. And the other thing YOU are her mother, you know best not a pediatrician, not a board or some panel that offers advice you are. You do what is best for her.

I watch a 3 month old now that is drinking 8 ounce bottles every 4 hours and sleeps through the night. There is going to come a point where the formula will no longer satisfy him, and his mother is just waiting on him to give the signs that he is ready.

My vote is yes, go for it, W.

When your child starts waking up in the night, yes they are going through a growth spurt hence the waking up in the night, hence the needing more food to be satisfied.

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It is common for babies to go through a growth spurt around 4 months, and they wake up to get more milk and stimulate an increase in production. It usually takes about a week for things to even out. Also, I always had to remind myself that sleeping through the night for an infant is actually only 5 hours at a time. My thoughts are that it is better to wait, since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends just breastmilk or formula for the first six months. Good luck.

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I have a 5 month old little boy who started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks. When we went to the doctor for his 4 month check up, they asked how much formula he was taking a day. At that point my son was taking almost 42oz a day. He's got a very good appitite. They said because he was eating so much to go ahead and start him on cereal. They told me not to put it in his bottle but to spoon feed it to him. They told me to start out small and to try differant consistancy until we found one he liked, and to start off feeding it to once a day. We are now up to two times a day and a little bit thicker of a concisistancy. My doctor told me they usually don't like to start children out earlier than 6 months on cereal now because of something to do with the earlier you feed it to them it is some how linked to childhood food allergies. I really didn't understand nor did I question it. But because my son was taking so much formula they said to go ahead with it. Your best bet may be to check with your doctor and see what they have to say.
Good Luck

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