Starting Rice Cereal - Scottsdale,AZ

It sounds like he just isn't ready for solids yet. If he is refusing, he is telling you that his body isn't ready to digest solids yet. Wait until mealtime is fun. :) Here is what the AAP and the WHO says:

Solids readiness depends on both the maturity of baby’s digestive tract and baby’s developmental readiness for solids. Although the maturity of baby’s digestive system is not something that we can readily observe, research indicates that 6 months appears to be ideal for avoiding the allergies and other health risks of too-early solids. After this point, different babies are ready for solids at different times -- developmental readiness for solids cannot be determined using a calendar. Most babies are developmentally ready for solids somewhere between 6 and 8 months.

Signs that indicate baby is developmentally ready for solids include:
Baby can sit up well without support.
Baby has lost the tongue-thrust reflex and does not automatically push solids out of his mouth with his tongue.
Baby is ready and willing to chew.
Baby is developing a “pincer” grasp, where he picks up food or other objects between thumb and forefinger. Using the fingers and scraping the food into the palm of the hand (palmar grasp) does not substitute for pincer grasp development.
Baby is eager to participate in mealtime and may try to grab food and put it in his mouth.
We often state that a sign of solids readiness is when baby exhibits a long-term increased demand to nurse (sometime around 6 months or later) that is unrelated to illness, teething pain, a change in routine or a growth spurt. However, it can be hard to judge whether baby’s increased nursing is related to readiness for solids. Many (if not most) 6-month-old babies are teething, growth spurting and experiencing many developmental changes that can lead to increased nursing – sometimes all at once! Make sure you look at all the signs of solids readiness as a whole, because increased nursing alone is not likely to be an accurate guide to baby’s readiness.

Some more good info here:
http://www.babygooroo.com/index.php/2009/08/27/balancing-...

Enjoy your little guy! :)

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Although rice cereal seems to be the advertised best first food, it isn't always the best choice. Babies shouldn't start solid food until they have cut a tooth which is around 6 months. Once a tooth has cut, the body starts to produce enzymes in the mouth that start the food break-down process. They don't need it when drinking mama's milk because they're not keeping the food in their mouths.

One of the best first foods is avocado. It mushes, it's green (with all the vitamins associated with that color) and it's full of the good fat our bodies need (similar to how fatty breast milk is). If you think your son is ready, perhaps try spoon feeding avocado.

I know this isn't really what you asked, but I had a really big baby the first time around and he was very hungry! I nursed and became very hungry myself since I was giving so much to him. Things got easier once he started with the avocado.

I hope it helps,
B.

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Congratulations on sticking with breast-feeding! It's a common reaction for baby to dislike rice. Have you tried it? It's disgusting. That's why I started my babies on apples. There are lots of theories on whether you should start cereals first (to make sure there aren't allergies) or veggies (so they don't reject them after fruit) or fruits (so they will enjoy solids). I can tell you right now, there is not a reason why a baby needs cereal first. As long as you introduce ONE food at a time, you will know that they aren't allergic. I made most of my babies' food, so I would cut the apples up and boil them to soft and then puree them, then you can strain to make sure they're almost liquid form. I would NOT do it through the bottle. If he's hungry, let him nurse more. Breast milk has protein, fat, water, and everything else they need at this age. Some babies are ready for solids by 5 months, but if they need to drink it, they really need to drink breast milk or formula. How often is he nursing? Babies at that age should still be nursing 7-8 times per day. If he's sleeping through the night, that means he needs to nurse every 2 hours between 7 am and 7 pm (for example) - 7 am, 9 am, 11 am, etc until 7 pm. IS he really nursing more than that? If that's what he's currently doing, it sounds like you're doing it right. And, don't worry, soon enough (between 6-8 months) he'll be nursing left and you'll miss those times you had to hold him and cuddle him without him crawling off to discover new things.

I also found this really interesting article that might help you decide what to do: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html

When he is ready for solids, start solids with a spoon. Most of it does get pushed out while they learn what to do with their tongues at the young age. Starting solids is mainly to let them practice tongue thrust, etc and to experience different tastes/textures. Even your doctor wouldn't expect additional solids to add many calories to his diet. Around 9 months is when they really start replacing breast milk feedings with solid feedings.

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My daughter never took a bottle, so we mixed the cereal with a little formula and put it in a sippy cup. But, we took out the little part inside that makes it a no-spill so it was more free-flowing. It takes a little while for them to get the idea, but stick with it and they will. We did it runny for a while and gradually made it thicker as she got older and them moved to a spoon.

Hi J.!
Don't give up on the spoon! It takes some kids a few weeks of daily attempts with cereal to learn to eat it without just spitting it out right away. It is a whole new texture, motion, taste and it's a skill he needs to learn. It can take up to 15 attempts at a new food for a child to accept it and not just spit it out, so don't give up on the cereal and don't give up on any other foods he will be trying over the next few months. Pediatricians don't recommend putting rice cereal into a bottle unless medically necessary (ie. some reflux cases) and a sippy cup would be the same, only clog worse.

I just recently went through this with my own daughter who thankfully is now eating like a bird with she wants to eat. I agree with Missy - don't give up on the spoon! But to make this easier on Mommy - One of my girlfriends who worked at a daycare suggested that I let her suck on the spoon. It took a couple tries but I can't tell you how thankful I am for that suggestion. Worked like a charm. Also don't forget to make the mixture more runny at first and slowly work up to a texture. Good luck!

I would just advise that you keep trying with the spoon. Putting cereal into a bottle could cause the child to choke and even aspirate some of the food. That food or liquid in the lungs can lead to pneumonia.

I never mixed fruit into the cereal because the babies would never try veggies or anything that isn't sweet. Once my kids were WELL established at eating all the veggie and meat varieties of baby food, I added fruit to the menu. My kids have never been picky eaters and enjoy eating healthier foods.

I found with my children that they did better with a spoon if the cereal was thicker. I would mix it with fruit to give it more flavor. My youngest wouldn't touch the stuff at all (do you blame her, it's rather gross :-) ) I gave her manderine orange slices (from a can) as soon as she was able to paick them up. Mashed potatoes are another option (minus the butter and all of that stuff). Good luck. Adjusting to new phases of your baby's life can take a little time.

this may sound odd, but ive made the hole bigger in the nipple with a fork. it stretches it without tearing it, and it works. OR, you can use stage 2 (medium) playtex nipples. they let more through with an even flow. My daughter had to be put on rice cereal at about 3 months. She is now 6 months, and can take it from a spoon. Id try atleast once a day to spoon feed him, just to get him used to it. the sip cup is also something you want to try around 6 months(with juice, or water) just so its easier to transistion from the bottle once he is 1.

You can use a spoon now. But if he doesn't like the rice cereal, try oatmeal. Most kids like that!

Hello J.,

I would say a sippy cup at 5 months old would be difficult. They usually work best once kids are eating almost a full diet of solid food and can sit up by themselves. The suction required for them is much more than a bottle as well and a 5 month old will have a hard time getting food. You could try just cutting the tip of a regular bottle nipple to increase the flow to get the cereal milk through but be careful of a firehose effect. With my daughter, I kept at it with a spoon until she got the hang of it. They will push most of it out as soon as it goes in for a while but they will learn. As long as you don't mind a mess and having a lot of silly picture opportunities I would say you are doing a great job with the spoon. Just like anything we do in life, it takes a few tries to get it down pat.

first off, my daughter hated rice cereal until she was about 10 months old. I too tried giving it to her via bottle but her pediatrician told me that doing that could cause her to choke and would defeat half of the purpose of starting the cereal.

her pediatrician told me this and I'll pass it on to you:
Give him/her what she will eat but don't force it or get frusterated when he/she won't eat what you think they should. Instead give them a few bites and when they don't want anymore then stop. Over time they will acquire a taste for it. Remebering that breastmilk and formula is sweet, babies have to become accustomed to other tastes.

when your little boy is about another month older you can start purreed foods with him. My daughter liked having some of her applesauce mixed in with her cereal or to have fruit cereal. hope that helps!

I'd really look at what Bobby C and Christye C said. Very very good advice.
I know that some companies make the tri-cut nipple....and some doctors still tell moms to do this. And PLEASE don't make any cuts on your own in nipples, the packaging usually tells you not to do that. Frankly, this is really old antiquated advice from the 50's. Wait until he's older and try with the spoon, nurse as much as you can. 6 months and older is a much more ideal time to experiment with solids for many kids...they have more control of their tounge, their gut flora is more ready to handle different foods. It could be a growth spurt right now. It also does not matter what solids you start first to be truthful. Breastmilk is already sweet so it does not make sense you can't do fruits before veggies. Doctors are not nutritionists, sleep experts, or breastfeeding experts in general to be honest....they get classes in school but the majority of their schooling is in sicknesses.

sounds like the cereal is too thick. water it down more with either more breast milk or water. yes, your baby will get messy - but it is also a new texture and all...keep re-introducing...do not give up!

leave the spoon in his mouth until he has swallowed some of the cereal. this helps them learn how to use a spoon.

You might want to experiment with different consistencies...some of my kids preferred to have it thicker rather than milky thin. Another of mine preferred it mixed with water instead of breastmilk and sometimes mixed with a little of the baby fruit in a jar. Another of my kids preferred the oatmeal cereal over the rice cereal. Don't stress...remember, it's more about teaching your baby that mealtime can be a fun adventure...keep a log of what your baby eats to keep track of what they did or didn't like and to track possible food allergies. It also makes a fun addition to their baby book...my older kids love to look back on what their first reactions were! If you go to the gerber baby website or the beechnut baby food website, they actually have great little starter first foods charts you can print to help you keep track as you introduce new foods...very cool and helpful! Don't get discouraged...he'll get the hang of those solids!
-J.
www.mytimecalendars.com

My Children loved it as long as it was made with milk. I also had to make it thinker. the doctors say to do it runny but children enjoy different textures too. Try it a little thincker. IF that doesnt work start him on a fruit or veggie. Make sure he is not allergic then add the rice to that. It could be the flavor.

I've been told by a doctor NEVER to put rice cereal in a bottle and serve it that way. I would keep trying with a spoon. The baby's mouth has to get used to being fed that way - you know, what do do with his tongue, lips, etc. When my babies first started most of it ended up on the bib, but with practice, they got it. It also helps to feed them in a slightly reclined position, like in a bouncy seat. Best of luck to you!

Hi,
I have a 4mo old and I give him a little cereal in his bottle with his formula. All I did was make the hole in the nipple a little bigger. I used a skewer to enlarge the hole. He had no problems sucking the bottle. He sleeps well. Good Luck.

I started giving my son gerber when he was 3 weeks he just was never full he would breast feed then drink a 4 ounce bottle and it would be the same story within a hour. i sarted with a spoon and he would wont to suck on it like a bottle so my mom would give him his pacifier so he would swallow.

Neither of my kids would take rice cereal unless it was through their bottle. I would get the evenflo nipples that were fast flow, they had an x on the top, or you can always cut another nipple a little bigger. I used a scissors just shoved it through the hole to make it a little bigger. I didn't actually cut the top. I also started my kids on fruits and veggies at 4mos old and they loved them.

We found that it was impossible to feed my son cereal mixed with breast milk -- it was just far too runny. In (as I recall) pretty much the same proportions, formula or water worked much better for some reason. Or just reduce the liquid all together -- it is much, much easier to spoon feed when it's less runny. It doesn't run off the spoon, or out of baby's mouth. Our son was very hungry by 4-5 months on just breastmilk, and starting cereal did help.

Just keep at the spoon. He needs to know that milk is in the cup and food is NOT. My understanding is that if the tounge spits it all back out, he's just not ready. Wait a week and try again. But remember that it takes practice to work the food to the back of your mouth and to know what that feels like. He won't eat much quantity AT ALL from the spoon for another couple of months. Just don't stress. A few spoonfuls each time and he'll get the hang of it.

I would try mixing it with plain water. Some babies will get confused if it smells and tastes like your milk but you're trying to feed it with a spoon. It took my daughter 3 or 4 days of trying to actually EAT the cereal. Once she was pretty good at it we then started mixing it with milk. Also, try the oatmeal style. My daughter didn't like the rice and the doc said it may have been too bland for her.

Good luck!!!!!