Introducing Solids

I add some fruit to my son's cereal and he loves it. I started out adding applesauce to it but now will mix any fruit that we have. The fruit made a big difference with my son. Good Luck.

Honestly, rice cereal is completely unnecessary. It has no nutritional value, and tastes like wallpaper paste. It's commonly used to "get babies used to solids", as a "filler", or because there's concern of allergies.

My thoughts on that last one are - if there's concern of allergies, then there's no need to start solids at this point anyways. Any solids before one year are for "experimental" purposes. Baby gets all the nutrition he needs from breastmilk up to that point (and many go even longer before developing a real interest in solids).

I suggest just going ahead and giving veggies or fruit instead of the cereal (if you're sure he's ready of course - just because he's now at the 6 month mark doesn't mean he is). Start with basics like apples, greens, carrots, etc. I know some people say that if you start with the sweets like fruit, then baby will never like the veggies. That's entirely unbased though, as breastmilk is very sweet!

Here's a great link for starting solids with the breastfed baby: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html .

If you have any further questions, please feel free to send me a pm :)

ETA: It just dawned on me that you may be putting the cereal in the microwave to heat it up (we don't have one at home, so sometimes it just doesn't occur to me :P ). If your breastmilk is in the cereal when you do that, you're completely demolishing any nutrition that your breastmilk contains. Microwaves and breastmilk don't mix! :)

It is a fun milestone! Prob more for parents than the babies! We have some really great pics of our kids first bites of food! Congrats on the 6month of breast feeding - that's a hard thing to do in this day and time!
Yep, that cereal does taste bad -- but don't add sugar just to get him to eat it. He's pushing it out not because it tastes bad but because it is a new texture and he is used to sucking and has that tongue thrust instinct still. Make it really thin and don't heat it up - your milk is warm. Use your finger (clean) to put a taste into his mouth. When he is ready he will eat. I would also suggest not using the Rice Cereal first -- the healthier trend is to go with veggies first. However - your baby will need iron in his diet somewhere --

There's no specific order to introducing each food. Just wait two to three days in between new foods. This way, if your baby develops a rash or a little upset stomach, you'll be able to pinpoint the cause. These symptoms may indicate an allergy or temporary intolerance, which you'll need to discuss with his doctor before giving the food again.

Don't be surprised if your baby has definite preferences or dislikes initially. It's very normal, but to create a healthy eater, continue to offer even those foods that he seems to turn his nose up to at first. You'll find that you have to offer some foods 15 to 20 times before your baby will begin to like it or even try it. The take-home message? Be patient!
Even offer soft finger foods. This is just to introduce him to food. The total nutrition is still coming from your breast milk. There are tons of "introducing your baby to solid food charts" on the web. one is: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solidfood4to6montholdbab...
This one says:
Start out slowly, preparing a tablespoon sized portion of whatever food you have chosen to begin with. Some parents begin offering their babies solid foods by using their (clean and washed) finger as a spoon! They say that this helps their babies take to solid foods because the "new" spoon and the "new" food all at once seem to confuse baby!

You will probably only manage to have baby eat 1/2 of the tablespoon sized portion the very first times you begin solids. Don't fret if your baby does not "finish" a meal.

Many parents find their babies will push the food out of their mouths on the first few tries. This is normal however it may also indicate that your baby is not yet ready for solid foods. Only you know your baby and will be able to decide if baby is truly ready for solids. As your baby becomes accustomed to eating solids, you will gradually increase the portion sizes. Remember, breast milk and/or infant formula are providing for the total nutrition of your baby at this stage!

Here is one from http://www.drgreene.com/21_804.html

The same tension you feel about feeding your daughter is felt by many parents around the world. We instinctively know how important proper nutrition is for our babies, and we naturally feel concerned when we are not sure that they are getting what they need.

For most babies, the ideal diet for the first several months is breast milk or infant formula. The quantity gradually increases to about 32 ounces a day at about four months old. When an infant is getting enough milk but still seems hungry (particularly if she seems hungry when she observes you eating) it is probably a good time to start solid foods. For most babies this happens between 4 and 6 months old. Some babies are ready for solids as early as three months, but most still have a strong tongue thrust reflex at this age that makes it very difficult to keep food in the mouth.

The first solid food is usually rice cereal, since it is so easy on babies' digestive systems. The first feedings may be at any time of day, but most families choose dinnertime. Either once or twice a day would be appropriate at her age. To begin, mix the cereal up so that it is quite dilute. Help your daughter sit up, then feed her the cereal in a small spoon.

For the first several days, more is likely to end up on her face than in her mouth. As long as she seems interested, continue to move the spoon toward her mouth. When she loses interest, stop. It's best to let her set the amount. It's fine to offer her a bottle afterward.

If she gets upset or doesn't seem interested at all, go back to bottle feeding (or nursing) exclusively for a week or two, and then try again. There's certainly no rush before at least 6 months old. Even after she starts solids, she will get most of her calories and nutrients from what she drinks. If she seems frustrated because feeding solids is too slow, try giving her a little milk first to take the edge off her hunger. She may be more willing to make the effort then. You might also try switching to oatmeal or barley cereal. Occasionally a baby will take these better.

After solids have been introduced, she should continue to take 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk or formula per 24 hours. It is not a good idea to add sugar or salt to her food or bottle (unless treating a specific problem). Most bottle-fed, 5-month-old babies will take 5- to 6-ounce bottles 4 to 6 times per day. They can often go 8 hours at a stretch once during a 24-hour period.

As long as she is happy and growing, you can relax. Feeding will progress naturally. There is no need to force her. If she is healthy, she will let you know if she is hungry and needing to eat.

I used the 1st food fruits to mix in or used the baby juices to mix it.

My daughter preferred oatmeal over rice cereal. It seems to have a little more flavor. So she ate it better. I am not sure if you are using the microwave or not, but I would definitely not use the microwave to heat it up. I would use freshly expressed breast milk if you can.

I would heat the milk up seperatly, then add the cereal. In warm water not the microwave.

Also, do not feel pressured to give him cereal. He does not have to have it. My 18 month old never would take it. She didn;t really start eating anything untill 11 m/o.

I wouldn't worry about it much. Keep trying if you really want him to have it and maybe he will get used to it. Or maybe take a break and try again in a few weeks?

Good luck!

Hi T.!

Sometimes it takes a while for the babies to adapt to the new taste of rice cereals and the otameal cereals. And yes, they taste nasty!! No way I'd eat the rice cereal, it's amazing what the babies WILL eat! Just give him some time and I'm sure before you know it, he'll be gobbling it up. Have you tried mixing it up with water instead of breastmilk?

Good luck! But no worries, this is all most normal.

-Char

My daughter hated it too. I started mixing it with a little bit of apple juice. (The doctor already ok'd that) She was better with that. I didn't stick to the cereal more than a few days. We went straight to the stage 1 veggies like sweet potatoes and carrots. She LOVED them.

His reaction is normal. My son did the same thing. It took him almost three weeks before he would want to eat more then one or two spoonfuls of cereal. It just takes awhile. Try everyday to give him just a little and he will come around. I honestly believe my son thought that he would never drink milk again because i would give him cereal for a few minutes and then give him the bottle afterwards. He would drink that bottle like it was going to be his last. Before cereal he was a really slow drinker. So, it is traumatic for them at first...hang in there, he will eventually catch on. Good luck.

Hello T.!
I understand how you feel, it was very hard for my 10 month old to adapt to cereal. He HATED it. I tried Oatmeal and he seemed to at least tolerate a few tablespoons, but after a few he would close his mouth and refuse to open it. After a couple of months of trying, he LOVES it now. It's his favorite solid of the whole day. He looks forward to eating it. Don't worry and don't get anxious. Just keep trying and he'll eventually love it. And keep mixing it with breast milk, it'll somehow make it familiar to him. Also make it pretty watery at first, and then you can make it more thick, once he slowly gets use to the taste. I also agree with the prior comment. You don't need to microwave. Room temperature is just perfect. Good luck!

T.,

Are you heating it in the microwave? Try heating the breasmilk in a bottle warmer and then adding to the cereal. My son was okay with that. I never tried the combination myself, but it didn't smell very good to me either. Also, sometimes it takes many attempts before a baby will take to a new food, so keep trying. Since you are mixing it with your milk, I'm sure your son will eventually take it. You can also try oatmeal or barley baby cereals. My son liked oatmeal but not the barley. Good luck!

T.,
good job on breastfeeding and offering your milk with other foods as well. Rice cereal does taste bad as do many foods made for babies. (have you ever tasted formula? yuck)
However, many babies at 6 months have a tongue thrust that makes it appear they don't like the food when really they just stick thier tongue out to eat (like at the breast)
By "heating it for 5 seconds" are you referring to the microwave? They really don't need the food to be hot, just room temperature so try to avoid the microwave until your little guy is over a year old. It breaks down the proteins in your milk and can leave hot spots in the food.
It is a good idea to use breastmilk because that is a taste your baby is used to and is a little sweeter than the alternatives. Anyway good job, just keep trying and anything new takes some time to get used to for babies.

K. @ The Nestingplace

First of all let me start by asking...Are you heating up the cereal and breast milk in the microwave? If you are STOP your destroying your breastmilk if you are. Heat up the milk in hot water and then add it to the cereal.

I would try instead of plain cereal try the brand that has fruit or bannanas in it. My daughter wouldnt eat it at first so we tried mixing a little of the stage 1 fruit in with it as well...she loved it. She had a hard time with the spoon but once she got the hang of it there was no problem. She actually love the cereal really thick like paste.

She is 14 months now and too be honest I still mix cereal in with her food. She has Stage 2 foods at lunch and I use it as a thickener.

Be cautious...adding cereal will change their BM's. Keep an eye out for constipation. If you feel that she is not ready for cereal right now it is fine to hold off a few weeks and try again. Every baby is different...Good luck.

I am in the same boat as you. My second child is about six month and could care less about food - actually he spits it out. Cereal, bannanas, all of it - I have tried. While I plan to, I haven't read all the very valid and informative information from the other moms, but just know the introduction to solids is just that - an introduction. It is not meant to replace nutrients from breastmilk or become the sole source of nutrients. In fact, studies have shown children should really not be introduced to solids before 6 mths. for multiple health reasons including increased risk of childhood obesity. Breastmilk/formula is the best form of nutrition for a child under 1. If you are worried about iron, take a supplement as many will tell you that will provide what baby needs. Please don't take my word though. Talk to your pedi and a lactation consultant to confirm or seek guidance from experts. I did my research and decided I am not going to worry about solids. My little guy will get there and I will continue to introduce, but as long as he is thriving and growing and doing well in the pedi and my eyes all is well. Best of luck with your little one!!

My six month old hates it as well. With my first child I would have been freaking out. But, for some reason I am not so worried it this time around. It is true that most of his nutrition should still be coming from you. I would offer a variety of things (but wait a few days before introducing new foods to see if there is an allergy) and keep working on the cereals. I had to start mixing just a little bit of cereal with other baby foods and am trying to increase it a little at a time. That seems to be working for us. From what I understand, it's the iron in the cereal that is important when they start taking less breastmilk or formula. Otherwise, I just don't get what is so important about it. It is not that nutritious - I'm trying to work up to oatmeal, but my little girl likes that even less. Also, my 6 month old definately has her favorites. She opens wide for peaches or pears, and closes for veggies, so we have to mix veggies with fruits now...and we even introduced veggies first. I had heard that they won't eat veggies if fruit is introduced first. Every baby is different. Good luck!

You sound just like me a few months ago. My daughter never ended up eating just plain cereal. We moved to fruits (bananas are the most similar to breast milk) because she didn't like the rice cereal. She also just wasn't too interested in eating solids when I was ready for her to be....she didn't really start eating them until around 7 1/2 months. Oh, and heating it up doesn't make the milk go bad, and it's actually a good idea because your milk is warm. I know the microwave destroys the proteins in the milk, but I wasn't too worried because she was getting so much from me and I used it in the cereal just to have a familiar taste. Just stir really well to get rid of any hot spots and always check temp. first. We never had trouble with using the microwave.You could try playing around with different temperatures to see if that's why he's refusing it. Good luck and just be patient :)

~J.

Hi!
I am a 27 year old stay at home mom of two boys ages 4 and 8 months. I exclusively breast fed both my sons (the 4 year old until he was 12 months old) and now my 8 month old is breast fed without bottles or formula. I never pumped milk so when my sons ate cereal I mixed it with a little water AND a fruit. I was never really worried about an allergic reaction since my husband and I don't have any. I agree that breast milk is the better choice than water so you could continue that but maybe just add a little bit of baby applesauce to it. For me, I never give my kids anything that I think tastes horrible so if you wouldn't eat it then don't give it to him. Of course if it is a must for nutritional bennefits then sometimes that is a different story. Also remember that it takes babies a while to like something. Offering it multiple times may be necessary. My 8 month old eats and likes every jarred food there is (of course the age appropriate ones) and I give him oatmeal sometimes and other times rice. I sort of go back and forth. Both are nutritional and I want him to like them. Today my 4 year loves everything in sight. Sushi, Thai food, asparagus, broccoli, salmon. I could go on and on. Since he has only been given healthy food from birth, that is what he perfers and loves. So sorry if I rambled on and on. In short, offer the rice with a little fruit and see if he likes it. That's what I always did and I never had problems! Good luck!

It could be one of two things -- he either isn't quite ready for solids in which case you just need to wait a week or so and re-try or he doesn't like rice cereal and you should pick another food.

My bf'd son didn't like rice cereal either. We introduced it at 6 months and he would refuse it everytime. Maybe it was too bland for him. I ate so many different foods and spicy foods too while I was pg and bfing so maybe that shaped his palate. I don't know. He really didn't eat until 7 months in any case. You don't have to give rice as the first food either btw. (There's a growing number of peds who now think delaying grains until the first b-day is a good idea.) You could try avocado, pear, sweet potato, or some other fruits or veggies. Dr Sear's and the La Leche League websites have some good info on solids.

My advice would be to go slowly at first. Only your ds knows whether or not he's ready for solids or not and which ones he'll like. He will tell you. They all do, just not necessarily the day they turn 6 months. I know I kinda freaked when my son wasn't eating it all up, but you know what, he eventually did. He's a great eater now so there is hope. I think it helped when someone told me that her ped says food the first year is an experiment -- and they're right. He should be getting the majority of his calories and nutrition from you the first year because it is far more nutritious and full of antibodies that they just won't get from rice cereal.

Take it slow and try not to get all worried about it like so many of us do. I swear he'll be eating and before you know it.

Hi,

Never use a microwave to heat up breastmilk. It destroys the good properties that are in the breastmilk. Mix the cereal with water then add breast milk after that. It could be your child is just not quite ready for solids - be patient. It's ok to try one type of fruit to see if he is ready for solids. Fruit has a more natural sweetness that may be more appealing than the cereal.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cindy L. Russell
Nutritionist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
###-###-####

I hadn't seen anyone else mention this, but I was told that I needed to feed my breastfed baby cereal starting around 4 months because it contains iron that breastmilk doesn't provide enough of as the baby gets older. Or you can choose to give your infant liquid vitamins that contain iron(which I heard tastes horrible). My children learned to love cereal, but it did take a few weeks of them getting used to me putting the spoon and food into their mouths; it's a texture they aren't familiar with and it seems to be a reflex to spit everything out. It takes several attempts, but don't force it, eating should be a fun experience. Pick times that the baby is most awake and happy; not when he's hungry, tired, hot, distracted, etc.
I used breastmilk to mix the cereal, but I didn't warm it up; just room temp. I never mixed fruit into the cereal. I don't think baby's can really 'taste' at 6 months and I tried not to sweeten anything as I feel this only encourages children grow up into picky eaters.
One thing that happened with my first child, the cereal made her a little constipated(her poop became small hard pellets-like rabbit or deer poop) and my pedi recommended Karo syrup(1 tsp syrup to 2 ounces of milk/cereal). It worked great and I only did it when I noticed her dirty diapers getting more firm.
Good luck and have fun. Babies are so much fun to feed.

Hi T., I breastfed my son for 13 months and my daughter for only 6. From personal experience I find that babies respond better to the breastmilk in its most natural state; that being said, heating it up may slightly alter the taste that your son is used to and comfortable with. Since breastmilk is already at a very decent temperature, I recommend pumping your milk immediately before mixing it with the rice cereal and see if that works, instead of allowing anytime for cooling. I hope this works for you, if not understand that some babies just don't like the rice cereal... my daughter was more partial to oatmeal; of course we waited a little longer before introducing it to her. Good luck!

My son didn't like the rice cereal, so I did oat instead. I did more of the veggies than the cereal at first, and he liked that. I now mix juice or fruit such as applesauce or pears with it, and he loves it now.

Don't heat it up, and make it very, very thin for the first few attempts. Don't worry about the taste...babies taste buds are not nearly as refined as ours. LOL
When you get ready to introduce fruits and are successful, you can mix some fruit into the cereal, too.

I always mixed in a little of babyfood fruit, like the applasauce or pears. Mine loved it!

Its not the heated milk, baby cereal is just gross in general. Add some stage one banannas or apples to it to give it a sweeter taste. That was the only thing I was ever able to do to get my son to take it. I always heated it a bit also. Good Luck!