When would be the best time to introduce cereal? My 2 month old is eating around 4-6oz of formula about every 2 hours during the day. At night he eats every 4-6 hours of the same amount. It seems like he is always hungry. I was told that most pediatricians have a set time for when they will say its ok to start a child on cereal. Somewhere between 4-6 months old. I dont know how true that is. I can just tell that he is hungry quite often. Is this normal for a baby his age to eat so much?
he isnt always hungry exactly every two hours. At certain times during the day and night he will eat closer together rather then every 4 hours or so. I bought the cereal today, so we will see how it goes tonight.
I gave my daughter cereal at 1 mth. (she was my 2nd child) She was hungry constantly and to this day still is. She is 7 yrs old now. I think you have to do differently for every child. My son wasn't as hungry and I gave him cereal when the doctor said it was time. You just try it and see if it helps. He shouldn't be hungry every 2 hours unless you are nursing him.
There is a great book out there, Super Baby Foods, by Ruth something... It's purple and on Amazon. It talks a lot about making your own foods and recipes, etc., but it gives a lot of info on when to introduce foods, what foods are good for first foods... It also gives you a month by month guide of which foods to introduce each month and why. I have been using it for my 4 1/2 month old and really recommend it!! It also recommends in there and my daughter's doctor recommended not to put the cereal in the bottle. There is a tongue thrust reflex that the child must learn to not do and the spoon should be used from day one with solids. Good luck!
Dear T.,
I remember my son doing the same thing. I couldn't believe he could possibly be hungry again but he was. He was cranky and was fussy all of the time. I finally relaxed about what the books say and what the doctor says and just fed him. I did not give him cereal until he was about 5 months. You know when your child is ready when he is able to swallow the "solid" food you put in his mouth instead of pushing it back out with his tongue. My advice is to wait on cereal and I wouldn't put it in his bottle either. Starting solids is an entirely different experience for your son and by making it fun experience he will be more likely to accept different foods in the future. Just give him formula right now. (Believe me, it is much easier when there are only bottles.) It is a myth that putting cereal in a baby's bottle will help him sleep through the night. It is true however that feeding a baby formula helps a baby sleep longer because it is harder to digest than breast milk. Your son will start sleeping longer in the next month or so. Good luck!
K.
My daughter started on a cross cut nipple on her bottle at 2months. Soon after I was putting baby cereal in her bottle at night. I would start with a little baby ceral mixed in the evening bottle. This fills the babys stomach and they tend to sleep better. At two months I was up every two hours because my daughter was hungry. She would eat and would fall asleep. I found out she wasn't getting enough food from the bottle and she fell asleep because she was exausted. Try a cross cut nipple if you haven't be careful the first time you use it the formula comes out much faster than a regular nipple. But once your baby gets use to it he will adjust.
Lots of luck
K.
T.,
Most pediatricians try to stay in line w/ the recommendations from the AAP. As such, they'll tell you to start cereal between 4 & 6 months. No earlier b/c of research showing increased allergies and obesity in kids that are started sooner. However, things like the baby's weight and frequency and amount of feedings do come into play. We were feeding our daughter 5-6 oz. of formula every 2.5 to 3 hrs. when she was 2 months old. I asked my pediatrician if we should start cereal and she said no. Since our daughter was satisfied after the feedings and was only eating so frequently b/c she was sleeping through the night there was no need. Ask your pediatrician and see what they think. I'm sure they'll look at your baby's growth and eating habits and guide you. Hope this helps!
