My daughter just turned 4 months, and at her check-up, the doctor told us we could start introducing her to rice cereal... a few tablespoons a couple times a day. Yesterday we started for the first time. She got 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with breastmilk. She seemed to like it and did pretty well for her first feeding. But the rest of the night she was so fussy. We had an awful night of no sleep and lots of crying (she's been sleeping through the night since she was 6 weeks old)! Is this just a coincidence, or could her stomach have been upset from the rice cereal? I know its supposed to be gentle on their tummies, but I wasn't sure if anyone else's little one had had a tough time transitioning. Is she not ready yet for the cereal? What are your thoughts?
My daughter who is now 5 months did the same thing with cereal. My doctor said to try it a couple times and then give up and re-introduce it later. We also tried oatmeal and it did the same thing, so I gave up on cereals. It made for very long nights and the mylicon did not seem to help. So we have moved on to fruits and vegetables and she does fine with those. Hope this helps!
Waiting until at least 6 months is really the best course of action. Their tummies at an earlier age just aren't ready to handle anything else besides your breastmilk. She is getting everything she needs from you right now. Many babies even go longer than 6 months before any kinds of solids are introduced.
It sounds like she's really not ready for the solids, what with the tummy issues and all. Rice cereal doesn't even have anything nutritional that baby requires. It's truly just a "filler" and to get them used to eating. You could just as easily start off with some fruits or veggies. Applesauce is a great starter.
There is some really good information here that I suggest you look over: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html . Definately look at "Developmental Signs that Baby is Ready for Solids".
Here is some additional information: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html
Best of luck to you :)
Four months isn't the magic time for all little tummies. My little one, who is nearly a year now, did not do well with baby food until just after five months. Shortly thereafter, she wasn't satisfied with the watery stuff and wanted chunkier food she could "chew."
Last night your baby was telling you she's just not ready. I would wait a week or so and try again.
Best of luck to you!
I know they always say to start with rice cereal, but my son did much better with oatmeal. If I were you though I'd hold off till she is over whatever was bothering her and try again then. Good luck, and don't feel pressured to go to solids. Waiting till 6 months is really just fine too.
It could be coincidence, so I would wait until the weekend, say Friday night or Sat. morning/afternoon to try it again. That way if the same thing happens again, you will be able to catch up on sleep over the weekend.
It might be, too, that her tummy isn't ready, and that's okay. You can always try again in a few weeks.
Sometimes it's a guessing game trying to figure out what is going on with our little ones!
Also, the cereal is a new consistency of food for their tummies, something they're not used to digesting. It might take her a day or two to get used to it and then she'll be fine. Try it a couple nights in a row and see if she has the same reaction each night.
Your baby is ready for cereal in her milk ,but my son had some constipation when he switched. It is going to mess up their tummies till they are used to it. If your baby feels fussy she might also have gas from the cereal. I gave my sone gas medicine and the doctor told me to give him some of the Prune/apple juice mixed with water. Helped him with the constipation associated with the transition. Hope it helps.. THanks
I guess it just depends on whichever pediatrician you talk to, but ours told us that he didn't recommend starting our daughter on rice cereal until she is 6 months old. It is something new, so your baby's tummy probably just needs a few days to adjust. If she's gassy, I've also heard of putting a few drops of Mylicon in the milk to help with that gas.
