My son’s doctor told me to start giving my son rice cereal once he turned 4 months. Well, hes 4 1/2 months old right now and I have yet to start him on the cereal. I’m hesitant to give him the cereal as he has been gaining weight really well (a bit too well, actually) just breastfeeding. On one hand the doctor did tell me to start the cereal, on the other hand; I imagined exclusively breastfeeding till 6 months. Is his doctor just old school, or should I just cave?
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13 responses so far ↓
1 ZeeLee // Oct 7, 2008
i thought it was breast milk only til 6 months as a rule. and then only mushy food till 12 months.
he doesn’t have any teeth, how is he supposed to eat cereal?
2 Debbie V // Oct 7, 2008
Some authorities suggest NO foods, only breast milk for the first year.
So if I was successfully feeding my son, and it was a convenient way to feed him, I’d stick to breast milk until you think he needs a supplement (for feeding every 2 hours).
My daughter started at 4 months because formula wasn’t doing the job. She was too hungry too often. Rice + a sprinkle of sugar worked amazingly well.
TX Mom
3 Super Freak // Oct 7, 2008
i waited til my son was six months old…and i regret it.
the baby needs more that liquids at this point.
4 Jessica L // Oct 7, 2008
I EBF my daughter until 4 months. I tried giving her cereal once before that and her tongue-thrust reflex was not yet gone. So, she just pushed the food back out. 2 weeks later she opened her mouth and wanted the spoon. I started putting her in her highchair at the table with a spoon, bowl and sippy cup. She can put the cup to her mouth and the spoon in her mouth now…at almost 5 months. She’s been interested in our food since about 4 months; that’s why I tried cereal.
If you don’t think he needs cereal for weight, then don’t do it. The AAP recommends exclusively breastfeeding until 6 months. Watch the baby, not the clock. When your baby is ready for solids he will let you know.
5 jupiter // Oct 7, 2008
honestly, i wouldn’t… to me, exclusively breastfeeding till 6 months is ideal!!! and if you can do it, why ruin it by giving him cereal???? i exclusively breastfed my first for 6 months, then skipped the cereal and started her on veggie purée at 6 months.
6 Just Curious // Oct 7, 2008
Ask your baby. No, seriously. If she takes interest in you eating or drinking, she’s probably ready. If the time between her feedings is getting smaller, she probably needs more than just mother’s milk. Four months is a good rule of thumb, but not a blanket statement for every baby. As with everything else, watch your baby & they’ll let you know.
7 MamiOfTwoProudArmyGirlfriend // Oct 7, 2008
I started giving my daughter rice cereal at 5 month’s only because it felt like she was on my boob 24/7 so I gave her rice cereal mixed with breast milk and I made sure that it was watered down with breast milk enough so she wouldn’t choke or so it wasn’t to thick for her it didn’t hurt her at all and she loved it because it was something new. But it is good to get them use to using a spoon because soon he or she should be going on to baby foods but your the mom and it is your choice and whatever feels comfortable for you!!!
8 McMom // Oct 7, 2008
“Is his doctor just old school, or should I just cave?”
No, you’re right. His advice is out-dated.
“Unfortunately, many health care providers are not up to date in what they’re telling parents, and many, many books are not up to date.
The following organizations recommend that all babies be exclusively breastfed (no cereal, juice or any other foods) for the first 6 months of life (not the first 4-6 months):
World Health Organization
UNICEF
US Department of Health & Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada”
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html
9 ˚hɑяd çɑndч˚ // Oct 7, 2008
I’d wait. My dr said that cereal is not necessary, ever. So i started my son on fruits & veggies when he was 6months old. He was also exclusively breastfed. He is 8mo now & eating everything, still breastfed and as healthy as can be.
10 stacki // Oct 7, 2008
myhealth nurse said the same thing to me but she also told me there are a few signs to look oput for such as baby watching/wanting what you eat, he might make a ‘chewing’ motiion with his mouth when you are eating, he might be waking during the night hungry when he’d normally have slept through etc some babies dont need extra remember every baby is different. i agree no solids before 4 months..but after that (as babys tummy isnt ready at all for anything other than breastmilk/formula) some babiees might need it sooner other will want it later; your son sounds like he is doing really well and if you want to breastfeed till 6 months that is oerfect cos its the ‘recommended’ time to begin solids nowadays; but if he is wanting more anad you can see some or all of these signs you can try him with it. he might spit it out the first few times but it might not be that he doesnt like it, its a whole new texture for him then you add banana apples or pears in etc
(if you havent gotten any information off your doc then you can google a lot of info off the net and there areheaps of forums but remember that every parent has a different view so its what will suit you and your baby that counts
good luck andd congrats on bub
11 amiguita_malu // Oct 7, 2008
If you are breastfeeding exclusively and baby is doing great there isn’t much of a need to introduce any solids until after baby is 6 months and starts showing interest in what you are eating. You don’t even need to start out with cereal (and never add any sugar nor salt!) Try bananas and avocados. Just healthier and much better. See if you can find the book “Super Baby Food or visit Earth Best’s Baby Foods website.
12 Shaun and Nikolass Mom. // Oct 7, 2008
Did you ask him WHY he suggested giving your four month old son cereal?
I didn’t feed my son cereal until around 5-5 1/2 months old.My sister in law BF until 6 months.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with waiting until 6 months (which is round the recommended time anyways)
13 blondie // Oct 7, 2008
your baby doesnt need cereal. im sure the doctor didnt mean that you had to start cereal, just that you could if you wanted. but if you dont see a need for it then dont. i started my son early on cereal because i couldnt breastfeed past a month and the formula just wasnt keeping him full. but if breastfeeding is doing the job, then dont fix what isnt broken.