How Soon for Food?

The only reason I prefer hand feeding rather than cereal in the bottle is that it can take longer for them to learn hand feeding if they get the good stuff from the bottle... that's from experience... but other than that, the cereal can be a life saver. My daughter was also pretty fussy and is much happier now (we started this at 6 months) that we incorporate a feeding or two of Gerber "Ones" per day.

You know, it really bugs me when people say "OH NO!, don't put cereal in the bottle." It really depends on your little one. I've been putting cereal in my son's bottle since he was 2.5mos old. He's been absolutely fine and now is 5 mos old. I'm feeding him banana flavored rice cereal and some veggies now. He loves squash and sweet potatoes. She's your daughter. You're not going to hurt her by trying it out. If she gets gassy or more fussy, it wasn't the right thing. Try something else. I just hate when people are so against the cereal in the bottle or starting solids before 6 months. It's ridiculous.

Hi,
I started solids at 4 months with my daughter. My daughter was drinking way too much formula and still hungry. I started giving her rice cereal for a few weeks and then moved to oatmeal, which she liked a lot better. Most doctors/websites say not to put cereal into their bottle. I fed her the cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula. I think 4 months is a good age to start unless you have a history of allergies in your family. By 6 months old my daughter was on 2nd foods and by 9-10 months-regular people food. We never had any eating problems with my daughter and she is happy and healthy. I know a lot of people who waited until the 6 month mark and found it was harder to get their kids to try all different types of foods.

I always heard 6 months also, but a little rice cereal in her bottle will help her feel full. My kids are older but I do not think there are any hard and fast rules to anything. Do what your insticts tell you and you can't go wrong

4-6 months is considered the norm for starting foods. How old is your daughter?

Also talk to your pediatrician. Sometimes constant fussyness is gas or cholic. A friend of mine's son was diagnosed with cholic at 4 weeks. The put him on a feeding and sleep schedule and gave him regular mylicon and he is amazingly happy now.

Good luck.

Hi A.,

Most health experts recommend waiting until a baby is six months old before introducing solids. There are several compelling reasons for this. First, a baby's digestive system is not equipped to break down proteins until then. ***Note: even if the baby seems okay with the solids now, problems may arise later--there are some studies that link adult GI problems to early introduction of solids. Also, giving solids (particularly iron-enriched cereals) too early can reduce efficiency of iron absorption later on. Additionally, introducing solids too early may cause obesity as well!!! (That anyone would want to put their child at risk for a lifetime of weight problems because they can't wait a few months really surprises me...) (See for example: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html.)

Also, remember that babies are often fussy for reasons unrelated to hunger. All too often we want to shove bottles or food in their mouths to quiet them when it isn't necessary. There is a myth floating out there that putting cereal in formula will calm a baby, make him/her sleep longer, etc. However, there is no evidence whatsoever to support this. (See, for example: http://www.babycenter.com/404_will-my-baby-sleep-better-i...) How old is your baby? What else have you tried to ease the fussiness? Are you using a pacifier? Sometimes babies appear hungry but really just need something to satisfy their "sucking reflex." What about music, rocking, swaddling, swinging, etc.? (On a few rough nights we resorted to putting our baby in the bathroom in a swing with the bathroom fan on ("white noise.")--worked like a charm.) Dr. Karp's "Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD was helpful.)

In short, there is no reason to introduce solids to your child before six months (unless of course your doctor recommends it w/some medical rationale.) It's unhealthy and doesn't work anyway. If you feel you feel like your baby is excessively crying or fussy, you might want to take her in to see the doctor to see if there is an underlying medical issue. My son was diagnosed with reflux early on and Zantac worked wonders.

I hope that helps! Good luck!

I agree with allison. They say sarting food too soon may cause food allergies, their little tummies are so sensitive you must be careful what you give them. Drs say cereal in the bottle is a choking hazard but things are always changing so talk to someone who knows!

Hi A.,
I wouldn't give her any type of solids until 6 months. Maybe rice cereal at 4-5 months if your families have no food allergies. Have you tried switching formulas? The formula you are using might not agree with her tummy. I've heard great things about formulas that contain probiotics helping. Also, rice cereal can constipate some infants (like my daughter) so beware. Make sure she is getting plenty of quality sleep too.
Good luck!
L.

I would wait as long as you can with any food. The earlier you give babies food, the more likely they are to develop food allergies. I know this from experience.

Grandma/Mimi B.

My son is now 5 months old and has been hand fed rice cereal since he was 4 1/2 months old. My pediatrician said to watch the cues your baby gives you. Are they watching you eat, are they grabbing at your food? My son was doing that so we gave him rice cereal. I am going to wait until 5.5 months or so to give additional foods (only because he is growing up so fast already); however, it is a personal choice and I don't think it is wrong to feed them before 6 months. I have read that you shouldn't replace breastfeeding/formula feeding with meals but to supplement. I feed my son around 6:30-7pm with a tbsp of cereal to 3 tbsp of breastmilk/formula and then breastfeed him for bed afterwards. It seems to be working and he loves the cereal.

Good Luck to you!

I think rice in the formula is not such a good idea. 6 months is a good time to start on cereal. Try adding formula to her cereal and spoon feed her. But cereal in a bottle is not good.