I recently read that my 7 month old needs two servings of Cereal a day, because of the Iron it has. My issue is that my daughter does not really care for cereal and one serving is 1/4 a cup. Even when I try to disquise by mixing it with fruit, she won't finish a serving. I've been spending so much feeding time trying to coax her to finish these two servings of cereal that she doesn't have time and opportunity to eat her veggies and other yummy things.
Does she really need to eat this much cereal? Is there something else that provides enough Iron that I can give her instead?
I would appreciate any advice or ideas you other wonderful Mother's might have for me.
P.,when my daughter was a baby (she's 13 now)I used to mix cereal with applesause and she LOVED it.
I also feed her with an "infa feeder" instead of feeding her with a spoon. It's basically a bottle with a larger hole in the nipple. She was able to hold it herself, drink it, and not make a mess!
Good luck.
L.
Hi P.-
Like the other moms said, I wouldn't worry about this but just keep letting her try a variety of foods. However here are a couple of suggestions.....
1) Try a variety of consistencies in the cereal. Some babies like it much thicker than the instructions on the box might call for.
2) Instead of mixing the fruit or veggies in with the cereal, try alternating a spoonful of food that she likes with a spoonful of cereal at mealtime.
3.) Try the jar babyfood that has cereal in it. It's much more expensive way to get cereal in her but my son loved the taste. I think his favorite was "oatmeal peach banana".
Good Luck,
K.
Meat and spinach have iron as well. Does she like bananas? They blend well with the cereal. You can also give baby oatmeal, maybe she'll like that better. You can also try mixing it with her milk. Good luck!
Who told you she needed that much cereal?..your doctor? If so, retalk to him/her about it. 1/4 cup is a lot of cereal if she's also eating other things. Put yourself in her place. Would you like someone poking something in your mouth that you've already had all of it that you want? Talk it over with her doctor, but don't make mealtime an unpleasant event.....that's one of the things that produces picky eaters.
from what I was once told, put your books, schedules, timers, and rules away... and just start being a mom, dont go by any books, that suggest what a certain aged child shoud be getting,I was told give them mostly what they want with the proper dosage of course, but give them their iron and and calcium, etc by vitamins, and feed them what they like to eat, that way your child is full, got her iron etc in a flinstone chewy, and everyone is happy... hope this helps..
Well- I am always suspicious of writings like that. My daughter would not take solid food at all until I totally weaned her at eight months. She's fourteen now and just fine! High food value vegetables and fruits are much more important than simple carbohydrate cereal with its added iron! Besides- if you are still giving formula it should have plenty of iron in it. Also- there are other natural sources of iron like meat and dark green vegetables that her body will use more readily anyway. (just throw small quantities in the blender or food processor- much cheaper than little jars!I used to make several at once and then freeze it in those little snack baggies)
Sometimes when children don't prefer the taste of something it is because it doesn't agree with them. Also- at seven months she may like crushed up cheerios or some other cereal and just doesn't like the texture of baby cereal.
Ask your pediatrician about a small book on feeding balanced diets- I know your frustration but it's actually more important that mealtime be pleasant and not a power struggle so that you don't have problems (like a picky toddler or a starving herself to death teenager) later. A little trick my grandmother taught me- if you sing and smile to your child while feeding- they eat almost anything better! You're doing a GREAT job!
Hi P..
Are you mixing the cereal with her formula? If not, try it. My babies like oatmeal the best but after several tries, they eat the rice, too.
I'm not sure what your feeding schedule is but I've found that feeding my twins a bottle upon waking and the next feeding they have cereal with a fruit then at the next feeding, another bottle, and for their 2:00 feeding I give them a 4oz jar of vegetable, and a 2 oz jar of meat, or a 6 oz meat veggie combo.
I think the solid food feeding at this point is just to expose them to textures. The main source of nutrition should still be formula or breast so don't worry so much. Do keep trying all the different varieties/textures.
My babies eat everything now but it did take several tries with certain foods.
Also, keep in mind that although she is a baby, she is a person, too. I'm sure there are going to be foods she doesn't like. I, too have my food aversions and I'm sure you do as well.
Don't sweat this. Have fun experimenting and when you find a "mom's mask" to wear while experimenting...let me know. LOL
p.s. Back to your main question...talk to your pediatricain regarding the amount she recommends. You can also check online for the American Academy of Pediatrics dietary guidelines for babies. HTH
Hi P.. My now 16 mo old didn't like the cereal either. My 3 year old couldn't get enough. Ask your pediatrian for an iron supplement, other than cereal of course. A liquid form may be available. I decided that if she didn't like it, then I wasn't going to force it on her. My daughter is doing great today without having had the cereal.
My information may be a bit dated but it worked well for my children in the 1970’s. Baby formula has changed since then, so consult with your doctor. Mother’s were encouraged by doctors to feed the babies on a schedule. At three months we were to offer our baby rice cereal mixed with formula (or breast milk) twice a day (morning and evening). If they did well with the rice we could switch to barley and oats. Mine liked the oats best mixed with formula and some fruit. There was no set amount that the baby had to consume. You were lucky to get a few teaspoons into them before they would object. But it did seem to fill them up and help them sleep for longer periods of time. As they grew we were encouraged to add additional food to the morning cereal: apple, pear, peaches, banana and prunes (if necessary). A vegetable (carrots, squash, sweet potato, peas, carrots and spinach) was offered at the evening meal around 5pm with bit of cereal. This would help them sleep longer so mom could get some rest at night. Formula, water and juice were offered in between. By the time they were a year old they were up to three small meals. Meat was the last thing added to the list and that was when they were 9 months old. New items were added gradually in case the baby had an allergic reaction. I always went by the baby as to how much to feed them. Some ate more than others. I never forced a set amount on any of my babies. Best wishes!
About me: Mother of 4 Grandmother of 3.
Ok this is what my pedi told me with my son. All babies are born with enough iron in them to last 6 months. That's why they usually recommend rice cereal enriched with iron because you don't get iron from breastmilk starting at 6 months of age. Some people start solids at 4 months but it's not necessary until 6 months of age. If you are using formula, that's a different story. Rice cereal is recommended to use first because rice has the lowest allergy issues with most babies. But usually you can start adding different kinds like oatmeal as they get older so trying different type of cereal is good. Also, if you are breastfeeding, it's good to mix your milk with the cereal so they are eating something more familiar. My BG is not using bottle at all but when I can I try to pump and freeze for when she starts her solids.
Other moms had some good advice too. You can talk to your pedi about iron supplements and ask how much she should be getting or find other foods rich in iron that your girl might like. Every child is different so you'll have to try different things for your girl. Oh, my son usually had his food warm where as I know lot of other babies didn't mind the cold food. You can try warming up the food to see if she prefers it or colder.
I don't think I gave my son that much cereal when he was 7 months old. I think I fed him 3oz of cereal around then with other fruits and veggies. I always gave him new food in the morning and then give him rice/oatmeal cereal in the evening. That way if the new food bothers them, it won't keep him up all night.
Good luck and hope some of these advices work for you!
It has always been my understanding that breastmilk or formula takes care of all your baby's nutritional needs until around 12 months. The food you feed her is just "practice" and to get her used to textures, flavors and using a spoon and cup, etc.
If she's iron deficient you can buy vitamin drops, but ask your pediatrician first. I'd just tell you to have fun with feeding for now and she eats what she eats and as long as she's on her growth curve don't stress about it!
P., mom of 3 boys ages 7,5 & almost 3! (these guys never liked that yucky cereal, either.)
Some strained fruits are rich in iron. Read lables. Or, purie rasens . And, meat is a good source of iron. Those meat sticks that look like vianna sausages are good for a baby that age. Also, aaaaai think those hard toast for babies are enriched. Again, read lables. Good luck. Also, some orange juices have iron added. Hugs, M.
You can always opt for iron rich foods. We never used cereal with my daughter, and her iron levels were fine she was checked at 9 months.
I never heard of babies needing cereal. I started giving my son cereal at almost twelve months, mixing it in his bottle with cow's milk to get him to drink it after I was done nursing. I never wanted to give him cereal mixed with his food because it would hold him over for a really long time and I wanted him to nurse, so my milk wouldn't decrease. I would talk to your doctor, but I think formula has the iron they need or they have baby vitamin drops, fruits and veggies have some iron in them too. If she does get low on iron I think thats one of those things that doctor can tell at her check ups because there are visible signs. My son never had a problem without cereal, good luck!
Neither of my children would eat cereal either, no matter how I tried to disquise it. I fed them fruits and vegies instead. If your daughter is formula fed, she is getting plenty of iron from that, and if you are breastfeeding she is fine there as well. Don't stress, enjoy trying out new foods with her. Remember it will take several introductions before she will accept some things and be sure to offer one at a time in case of allergies.
Hi!
I am pretty sure if she is still drinking breastmilk or formula she should be getting plenty of iron from that. Where did you read that she should have 2 servings a day of cereal? If it is from the cereal box, then they are just trying to get you to use more/buy more.
Keep on trying to mix it in-- or better yet this is a good little trick I used to get my kiddos to try new veggies... put a little cereal on the spoon first, then scoop the fruit on top, it will be the first thing she tastes, and will be more likely to swallow the whole spoonful.
Good luck and congratulations on the baby!
J
Maybe just mixing a small amount in with the fruits and veggies so she really can't tell it's in there, do that at each feeding 3 times a day and she should be geeting plenty.
Hi
I really think the only advice hear is to speak with your daughters DR.
L.
I find that my almost 6 month old likes the oatmeal cereral better than rice cereral. He also drinks formula with iron in it. He dose not like the cereral mixed with just water but with formula. Good luck. Ask your pedi. and go with what he says. If your baby is healthy I wouldnt worry about it. Also I havent heard of feeding a baby two servings a day of cereral?!?!
At this point your baby should still be on formula, unless you are only breastfeeding when you're not giving her solid food. Most formula has enough iron in it, unless you are using a low iron formula for some reason.
If you are still breastfeeding or using low iron formula, read the baby food labels to see which foods are high in iron. To my recollection, cereal didn't have many nutrients in it at all, including iron. It is just what is recommended to start feeding babies first because of the low risk of allergies. Most of the pureed meats should have plenty of iron in them. These don't taste great though. My son would only eat them if I mixed them with a sweet tasting fruit or vegetable like sweet potatoes. GOOD LUCK!!!!!
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Get in as much as you can (I always had to mix it with fruit or veggies with my daughter too). If you're really concerned, the pediatrician can prescribe some drops, but they're pretty nasty smelling and they stain. It's up to you if you want to get the added iron that way in the vitamin drops or just go with it. She will get most of her nutrition from either formula or breastmilk at this point anyway, so I really wouldn't stress. Let her eat some of the other stuff too!
One thing to keep in mind is if you're feeding her a bottle (or breastfeeding) before the meal, then she may not be hungry enough for the food. I would maybe try to do the food first and then a bottle.
don't worry at all. food at this point is really only to get them used to textures as they are getting most of their nutrients from formula or breast milk. My ped told me that their is no reason that they have to have cereal--iron comes from lots of other veggies as well. Cereal is really just filler. you could also try introducing jarred baby food meats soon as well. It can take 9 or more tries before baby accepts new foods, so jut keep offering and if she doesn't want it, that's fine. Let her lead the way. She knows what and how much she needs.
Does she like yogurt? The yo baby yogurt with cereal (you cant taste the cereal in it) has iron. Good Luck!
I wouldn't worry about the cereal at 7 months old. If she is eating other baby foods you are doing just fine. Let her enjoy the important things like fruits and veggies. If you are worried about her not getting enough iron, talk to her doctor about your worries and if he is worried also, there are baby vitamines with iron.
I had the same problem with my daughter. The doctor told me to get an Iron supplement. She is two now and seems healthy as ever. She was always a good eater, but never really like the cereal. I gave her as much as she would eat, but she didn't eat much.
