When to Feed Baby Cereal?

6 months is early enough for ANY solid food. If he is eating well, gaining weight, and content and sleeping, why rush into solid food. Some people start a little earlier with the cereal if the baby doesn't sleep through the night at 5 months or so, as it helps them fill up for sleep. You're doing a great job breastfeeding, and that is the best for him and all he needs for the first 6 months.

My pedi said wait until 6 months for anything for my exclusively breastfed baby. That includes cereal. Many breastfeeding advice books and websites also state the same advice.

I started all my boys about 3.5 months, when they really showed interest in food-ie: they were sitting on my lap and grabbing food of my plate. Their favorite was barley cereal. I expressed my milk and used it to mix the cereal. I almost never used a full box of rice cereal- just too bland for them.

At first he may not have the tongue down pat and it will seems like he is pushing everything out of his mouth, but be patient. It takes some time to get over the tongue thrust reflex.

Good Luck!

Honestly, the longer you delay it, the better. The AAP says that the earliest that any solids should be introduced is 4 months. The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breast or formula feeding for the first six months.
Our kids will be eating solids for the rest of their lives, why rush this when this is the only time in their lives that you can bond with them through their eating experience, and provide for them the best nutrition available?

I started my baby girl on cereal around 4 to 5 months. I just put a little in her pumped milk in a bottle right before bed at night. I didn't start giving her any other foods until she was closer to 6 months. No need to any earlier really.
Good luck & God bless!
H. B

Hi. Since I'm breastfeeding exclusively, my pedi told me not to introduce any foods until 6 months. This is supposed to greatly reduce any possible food allergies. I think it's exclusively-breastfed specific. Good luck!

My pedi told me to start mine at 4 months on rice cereal in the morning, but I actually waited until about 5 months. Just make sure to start out slow and keep it really, really runny for awhile so she doesn't get constipated! I started to thicken mine up a little too much and it upset her lil tummy!

I agree with waiting until 6 months at least...there is no rush and remember starting solids just means that it will now take twice as long to feed them!!! I really don't understand why people start so early with solids, it doesn't provide them with any real nutrition since breast milk or formula is the main part of their diet.

I personally waited til the normal breast feeding wasn't enough. Watch for shorter times in between feedings, or if baby is still hungry after feedings. When I noticed these things, I started cereal. Good Luck!

M.,
Congrats on nursing! You are giving your baby the best start you can!
As for intro of solids:
AAP says minimum of 6mos of age. WHO says middle of first year for introduction to solids. Also, she needs to be sitting up entirely on her own. It's possible she may not even take it right now. Babies are not born to eat solids :-) Both of mine went thru a stage of interest that I thought was in food, but was actually in the cups, spoons, etc. So I had them play with those for a while before intro-ing solids. If there are any allergies in your family at all, then waiting a little longer could only be a good thing.

Remember that until 12mos of age, solids are for intro-ing taste and texture. Since you're bf-ing there's no real need to worry about fruit vs veggie first - your dd gets a variety of tastes and flavors through your breast milk.

HTH
K., mama to
Catherine, 5.5y
Samuel, 2.5y
Baby due 9/09

Most pedis start suggesting cereal at 4 months NOT before. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends waiting to feed all solid food until baby is 6 months old.

I waited until 7 months for my first and 8 months for my second. My third is 6 months old and won't be getting any solids for a month or two at least. Breastmilk is the only thing he needs. Remember, breastmilk and formula are the only real nutrition babies need for the first year. Solids are really just for experience in tastes and textures right now (though breastmilk changes taste from what you eat, so they are experiencing different tastes when they nurse).

For spoon experience, my 6 month old is sitting in the high chair while we eat, and I am feeding him frozen breastmilk from a spoon. That way he's getting some spoon experience, but I am not putting solids into his system.

Good luck. I think you're still a good ways away from solids. just nurse through growth spurts ON DEMAND and y'all will be great! Congratulations!

I waited until about 5 months to feed my son. Besides waiting the 4-6 months (as suggested by my MD and the other sources listed in the other responses), you also want to make sure that your son is showing signs that he is ready to eat (watching you eat, able to support his head, etc). Just remember that each baby is different. I have friends who started their kids on cereal at 4 months and their kids were fine; Others started their kids at 6 months because when they tried to feed them sooner, their children weren't ready. Hope this is helpful!

Hi M.,
Start with rice cereal- you can do it several ways- there are feeders on the market where they can take the cereal like a bottle. You just mix about a tablespoon with your milk- make it very loose to begin with and thicken as he gets used to it and wants more. Start with the morning feeding to see how he will do during the day. See if he has any reaction to the feedings- like gas possibly or maybe a rash which is unlikely with Rice cereal- and if he tolerates it well during the day you can add another feeding at the nitetime feeding. He will let you know when he wants more and when you can thicken the mixture. Soon after he gets used to the food- you can try feeding with a spoon- it will take him a little while to get used to the spoon feeding but he will learn. After you have used the Rice or about two weeks- then you can add another cereal- most people prefer to add Barley after Rice- use the same proceedure- morning feedings with the Barley- then gradually add the others- until he has had them all.
After he has had all 4 cereals and is eating them well with no reactions- (he maynot like them all) give him the ones he seems to like the most and gradually add the fruits- beginning with applesause - you will learn his likes and dislikes and he will let you know how much he wants toeat.
good luck and blessings

I started mine at 5-6 months.

If your baby is exclusively breastfed, don't be surprised if he doesn't want anything else. We tried to introduce cereal, he didn't want it. We tried mashed bananas, he didn't want it. He was 7 or 8 months before he wanted anything else. My 2nd was breast/formula (had to work). He took cereal much earlier - around 4 months. I would try, but don't be surprised if he won't take it. I would also not be dissappointed, he has plenty of years ahead of him to eat food. I always felt incredible that I was my baby's source of nutrition:) Every dr has their own opinion, but you have to keep in mind that they are people just like us. YOU are his mommy, and YOU know best. At 5 and 6 months, my dr kept saying he needed food. Well, his weight was fine (on the extremely chubby side), so he obviously wasn't lacking in anything. He ate when HE was ready.

M.,

Al of mine started their cereal around 3-4 months. It all depends on how well the little guys take to it. Give it a try if he can keep most of it in his mouth he's ready. start off a little soupy so he can get used to the texture then thicken it. My little guys liked it thick and they still eat their oatmeal that way.
Good luck and God Bless

My pediatrician also recommended 6 months, especially since I was breastfeeding too.

The thing is all babies are different. There is no need to rush it, but if your baby is showing signs that he is ready you may want to start sooner.

If your baby doesn't seem to be getting enough food at his regular feedings. Watches you eat and moves his mouth, and seems like he wants to eat more, then he may be ready to start cereal.

My son was not ready until he was 8 months old. I tried to feed him cereal at 6 mos, but he wouldn't have it. He just spit it out. So I figure he wasn't ready so I just waited.

I followed the book called Super Baby foods. It went right along with what our pedi told us to do. We started our son at five months. BTW our son has allergies. Perhaps your pedi asked you to start at four months because your little one wasnt getting enough nutrience?

I introduced my daughter to cereal with in the week of her turning 4 mo, it was very messy at first as I fed both my kids the cereal with a spoon. I followed the directionMy son was fed cereal in his bottle at 2 and a half months old, dr's orders, so he was little bit harder to get to eat it with a spoon. Anyways, they get the hang of it. Hope this helps and take care.

I waited until 6 months to give both my BF kids anything. Its just what my doctor told me.

Hi M., selected articles I've read suggested to wait until a baby can sit-up on their own which makes for healthier digestion. So, that's usually around 6 months. Also, I want to conmend you on breast feeding...it's so healthy for your baby in-addition to an amazing bonding experience for you and the baby. I'm trying to ween my son and he's 20 months now and the whole experience has been the best! Good luck and I hope the info helps. You can go to mercola.com and type in some of your questions and the site can lead you in healthy desicions.

A little about me: 45 year young wife and mother. And...couldn't do it without Jesus!

I started my son on cereal at 4 months.

Now would work thinned out.

I don't see a need to rush into anything if you're successfully breastfeeding. As long as he is gaining weight and seems content with your milk, I would wait until 6 months. I waited until 6 months with both of my kids. There are some doctors who will suggest starting around 4 months, but most will say 6. Good luck.