When to Start Cereal?? - Edmond,OK

I have 2 boys that are 7 months and 3 years. I would say that you should try to introduce cereal now if he is always hungry. My little one when he was 3 months old was about 18lbs and was in 9 month cloths and always hungry. I started him on cereal at 3 months and it seemed to help with him not being so hungry all the time.

If his pediatrition believes it's ok. Go for it! Just watch for gagging or spitting up. You can also try reading Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo. There are very practical tips in there for good signs of when to move baby into the next stage of eating, sleeping, playing, etc.
S.

Hello Jill! I am the mother of two boys. While I do not have any girls I do know their eating habits are so much different, as well as how they grow and develop. My boys, too, always wanted to eat and NEVER took 30-45 minutes to eat like some little girls will do. My boys were big and grew fast. I did start them on cereal at about 4 mo and found it did tide them over a bit more. It's that solid food in their stomach that takes a little longer to digest.
I think anytime at the 3 1/2 to 4 mo mark is fine to start a little and see how they handle it. Good luck! --K.

Jill,
Your baby sounds a lot like mine. He is exactly the same age and weighs 18 lbs. He is also solely breastfed. I am not going to start foods until six months. I have researched and found babies that are introduced solids later in life, have a significantly less chance of childhood obesity. Also, breastmilk is all your baby needs right now. Good luck and take care.

I am a mother of an 8 month old and just recently debated this issue. I am also a holistic physician and very active in constantly researching how to raise healthier babies more naturally. Everything that I have looked into suggests that waiting until at least four months (preferably 5-6) to start solids gives you a better chance of avoiding possible food allergies and also gives baby's digestive system more time to prepare for solids. Your sanity will have to come into play also (it is frustrating to nurse ALL day long!), but if you have taken the care to give him only breastmilk so far I would try to continue a little longer. Also, this is just my opinion, but I would skip the cereal and go straight to fruits and/or veggies. They provide more nutrition and vitamins that work together synergistically in nature rather than a "fortified" cereal with vitamins chosen by man. If you do go with a cereal I would make sure that is is whole grain/oat/etc. or brown rice rather than white rice or grains that have been stripped of all of their nutrition. Hope this helps, and good luck!

I started mine at 3 months by putting a little in his bottles at night because he wasn't getting full. He was up every 2 hours to feed. Then at 4 months old I started giving him cereal in the mornings and that made him fuller faster. We were going through formula like crazy. I didn't listen to the dr she said wait til 6 months and he would have starved by then! Some babies need more than what the drs say. They aren't with your child 24/7 you are so I just used my common sense and tried to do what made him feel the best! Good luck!

Cereal may stay with him longer then the breast milk so maybe he won't be so hungry so often. My daughter was pretty healthy as well and soley breastfed for the 1st 5 months. She was eating cereal at 4 months. They do usually go through a growth spurt at 3 months and eat more, maybe that's why he is so hungry now. I hope this helps. Good luck:)

Jill,
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be solely breastfed until 6 mos. of age. Starting a baby on cereal or other foods too early may compromise his nursing and can interfere with his absorption of nutrition in the breastmilk. You cannot overfeed a breastfed baby. =) My DD was a big girl too, and by the time she started crawling she slimmed way down. You are just bulking him up for later (picky eater, too busy too eat, etc.). He sounds just perfect to me. Even if he was waking frequently at night, there is no evidence that cereal actually helps. I really recommend attending a La Leche League meeting. It is so great to see other nursing moms with similar issues.

I followed Gerber's food introduction schedule to the letter with my first child, also a large boy. He didn't like the cereal at all but I thought I had to since I was a first time mom and what did I know? With child #2 I didn't even bother until 6 months and she did fine. Child #3 got solids even later 'cause it was too much trouble. Your baby sounds like he is doing very well on your milk and if he doesn't show signs of being interested in food then I would stay with the breastmilk. He will be eating solids quick enough.

I can't tell you whether or not to start cereal, but remember that cereal is mostly a filler. There is nothing better for him than your milk. It is when I started my son on cereal that he started wheening himself from me, and he also stopped gaining weight.
C.

I hope you understand that I am saying it was not good that my son stopped gaining weight. He very quickly went from the 75 percentile to 25. It took a very long time to recover. I did not make the same mistake with our second boy, and had much better results with his growth pattern. Incidentally, neither one of my boys are overweight, and interestingly enough, the one that had cereal early on has more allergy problems.

Fifteen years ago when I had my first child I was adamant that I would go strictly by my doctor's guidelines. I have breastfead all my children. When my first born was not yet 2 weeks my mom came to visit and she insisted he needed a little cereal at night to help him sleep. I was devastated because it was going against the dr's advice. It worked out fine and he slept through the night and I wasnt so tired from feeding every hour and a half. Go with what you feel.

I have a baby who turns 5 months on the 7th. He is a big boy also and is only fed breastmilk. I tried cereal at 4 months but he didn't take it very well so I am going to start trying again this week. So I would say just try it out and if he likes it keep it going if not maybe wait a little while longer. The doctor told me that breastmilk is so much more packed with calories than rice cereal so it really doesn't help in keeping them full.

Technically speaking, your baby doesn't "need" solid foods until a year old. We, in the United States are obsessed with food. People equate a baby who wants to nurse all the time with-baby must be hungry. Babies nurse (I'm speaking about solely breast feeding here) for a variety of reasons-hunger, comfort, closeness, and most importantly to produce more milk.

Babies who are solely breastfed actually have a tendency to look and actually be heavier in the first few months. What that means is they are getting ready to grow and utilize all that extra nutrients in brain activity and movement, ie crawling and walking.

Babies who have been started on foods at an early age, before six months, have a higher that average incidence of allergies.

My advice is to continue doing the great job that you are, and remember he nurses more to stimulate more milk. Let him start eating when he can put things in his own mouth. That's the way many cultures do. Most babies don't have the ability yet to do the tongue movement required to move food down the back of their throats. They are designed to suck not chew yet... When he gets teeth, and can put things in his own mouth is the best time to start on solid foods. Let him "tell" you when...

But, like others have said, ultimately he is your baby and you should do what you think is best....But I must say that it's good to ask for and to contemplate the advice.

Hope this helps

S.-Mom to three almost grown children all breast fed, none overweight or allergy prone.

I say do what feels natural. I breastfed my 2nd daughter exclusively for over a year. But with my 1st and 3rd child it just felt like I needed to start feeding them. My son (who is 9m old and has 10 teeth) started biting really bad. and I couldn't get him to stop at about 7 months. I think he was frustrated b/c he wanted to chew. So I started feeding him and he LOVED it. He is also really big...22lbs. Do what you feel is best for your baby. Everybaby is different...try it!

Hi Jill,

Well I am no expert but it would seem to me that your son being almost 4 months old and weighs 20 pounds may get to the point to where he is over weight. My daughter will be 15 months old and has been strictly formula fed and wieghs 20 1/2 pounds. In my opinion starting him on cereal TODAY would be a good idea. My daughter was eating 8 ounce bottles every 3 hours snd at 2 1/2 months weighed 16 pounds and my doctor was concerned about her becoming overweight. So she was started on cereal right them from that day forward. My 4th daughter was eating 8 ounce bottles every 4 hours and weighed 14 pounds by the time she was 3 months old, and once again we started her on cereal also.

So my answer yes give him cereal. I would start with 2 tablespoons twice a day and then move up from there.

As a mother of 3 breast-fed boys, and as breastfeeding educator I would recommend that you wait until about 6 months to start any solids. Your breastmilk has all the nutrition he needs, and more of the DHA and ARA (for brain and eye health) than any food or formula. Then you start with rice cereal, and gradually introduce new foods (4-7 days in between) to be sure you catch any food intolerances. It is best to introduce vegetables before fruit-your son will be more likely to eat and enjoy vegetables later this way.
My middle son stopped breastfeeding at 5 months due to an infection. He is the one with allergies.

Don's be in any hurry to introduce other foods because
anything that replaces your breastmilk is going to be
inferior food. Breastmilk is perfectly suited for your
baby. How do you think he got to be 20 lb at 4 months of
age?....wonderful Mom's milk! Relax and enjoy that baby!
Oh, by the way, we used to call that "baby cereal" a special
name, "wallpaper paste". So, wait awhile and when you do
introduce cereal, you can give him the real thing.
Raised five, raising a grandson....30 grandchildren
Sunny G-Ma

I solely breastfed both of mine and plan to do the same for #3. I started both on cereal at 4 mos. and both took well to it and eating solids in general. I still nursed/pumped for them for a year but introduced new foods along the way. My daughter was a big girl too (24lbs. at 6 mos.) and wanted to eat constantly and my son was average size but still always wanted to eat so I couldn't wait for 4mos. to come so I could start cereal! Now I only wish they would eat more!! :)

My son, too, is a large baby and I love it!! He is 5 months and we have not started him on anything yet. He is strictly breastfed and likes to eat a lot, too. Does it seem that he is eating more often but for shorter time periods? I find that my little guy does this, as though he is snacking throughout the day. In response to another response, your baby IS NOT overweight and he will slim down later on. Breastfed and bottlefed babies gain weight differently. I will start our son on cereal at 6 months. I agree with the others comments about how breastmilk supplies everything your little one needs!! Be proud he is growing so well just on your breastmilk!

The popular advice among pediatritions (and the recommendation of the AAP) is to introduce cereal at 6 months. The reason is that solids don't really supply any nutrition until about 10 months when babies start nursing less. Until then, solids are just for practice. Speaking from experience, cereal did not cut down on the amount of time I spent nursing unfortunately! Listen to your doctor of course but my kids did great holding off on solids. The plus side is that when you introduce them later, they are really ready for it and there isn't much struggle to get them to take it. Good luck!

Edited to add: Your baby is not overweight!!!!! Like someone else wrote, BF babies are bigger to begin with. We thought my last baby was going to be huge, but her growth has slowed down and she is now in the 50th percentile instead of being off the charts. It scares me to even think about calling a 4 month old overweight.

My first son was very similar. He, too weighed 20 lbs at three months. He was exclusively breastfed. It is a great feeling when they thrive on our milk.
The AAP, AAFP, and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months. There are some children who are ready before and many who are not ready until later. There are several "signs" that show a child is ready to try solids. (1) Are they able to hold their head up when sitting? (2) They are intrested in putting things in their mouths. (3) They show interest in eating when they see you eat. (4) They don't apear satisfied on breastmilk alone. (5) They don't push the food out of their mouth when it is put in (tongue thrust reflex is gone). You're child doesn't need to show all of these, but most.
Our milk has enough nutrition for the first year of life; even with large babies. There are some infants who choose not to eat solids and it could be protective against food allergies. My son had very little interest in food until he was 18 months old. He would eat a couple spoonfuls a day until he was 2. (And at 2 he weighed 35 pounds, so he thrived well on breastmilk "alone").
Also, you may want to consider starting on vegetables before rice cereal. There is some concern with some health care providers that our children consume too many refined grains, which could lead to uncontrolled blood sugars. There is very little nutritional value to rice cereal.
I hope this is helpful. You can read www.askdrsears.com for great information on nutrition, starting solids, and a ton of other parenting advice.

You can start making small amounts and see if he will take some. You do not have to stop breastfeeding.
My dr had me start both my boys on rice cereal pretty early, due to extreme reflux (several formula companies make formula with rice cereal in it to help it stay down for the baby)
I breastfed both my boys until about a yr old.
Just ease into it, to start the baby may only take a bite or two, so dont make a lot at first

If he is a good baby, then I wouldn't start cereal yet. My pediatrician was adament that we not feed solids (even rice cereal) until our daughter was 6 months. She was also breastfed and off the charts in size. If you think he is nursing for comfort and eating too much you could try a pacifier or a teether. It could be that he is teething and just wants something to soothe his gums, and mommy is familiar and comforting.

Anyway, sometimes adding food too early can cause more problems because their sensitive tummies aren't yet ready for it. Like so many people here said the food before a year is mostly to get them used to different tastes and textures.

Just for your information my daughter is now 3 years old and weights about 34 lbs. She is tall and thin and eats a variety of foods just fine.

Good luck in sorting it out.

My son is 14 months now, and he has always been a really long, skinny baby. We started him on food at about 5 months. We were debating when to start him on food, but when he reached up and grabbed by pastry and started shoving it in his mouth, it was a pretty clear sign!
If your son is interested in food, start. If he's not, wait.

It's actually better to wait until six months old to start cereal if possible, especially if there are any food allergies in your family. There is absolutely nothing wrong with waiting another month or two to start cereal.

K.

I also have a very big boy! He is now 17 months old, 30 pounds, and in 24 month clothes. He suffered from severe reflux, so his pediatrician actually had us put a tablespoon of cereal in the bottle of pumped breastmilk my husband fed him each evening. This did help with the reflux and my sone never lost interest in nursing. We started feeding him cereal at breakfast when he was 4 months old.

I started my daughter on cereal at about 5 1/2 months. Niether my son nor my daughter ever lost interest in breastfeeding after starting solids. I nursed my daughter until she was one, when I became pregnant with my son. I am still nursing my 17 month old two or three times per day. So, my point is, starting cereal does not always mean that your baby will lose interest in nursing. Some may, some may not. Go with your gut, every baby is different.

Hi Jill,

It sounds like your son is getting all he needs from breastmilk and is thriving so there is no need to start him on cereal.

In fact from all I have read, it is best to wait as long as you can to begin solids. Our kids didn't eat solids until they showed all of the signs of readiness at 8 and 9 months. I have read that breastmilk gives babies 100% of the nutrition they need until age 1. You can do research on La Leache League's website or at www.kellymom.com

Hey there Jill,

I think that the normal time to start with cereal is between 4 and 6 months. We started at 5 months, I think. At his age as long as you have a good diet and are taking your prenatals you shouldn't have to worry about his health. Once he gets moving, he'll burn off all that cute baby chunk he has. ;)

Good luck to you!

C. Smith
www.EnhanceYourWayOfLife.com

So many good responses, I just wanted to agree with the listen to AAP, breast is best!

K..

I'm really surprised that the doctors you have spoken with have been okay with you starting cereal at 3 months. From the AAP to the La Leche League they have stressed that it is beneficial to wait until at least 4 months but preferably 6 months before introducing cereal so your baby's digestive system can mature and better handle new things.

I would encourage you to wait but good luck with what ever you decide to go with. Trust your gut, you know your baby best.

Congrats for breastfeeding!!! Usually at 4 mths babies are going through a growth spurt and therefore, eat more. Continue to nurse on demand. A normal, healthy breastfed baby does not need to start cereal til 6 mths. You can, however, begin spoon-feeding cereal at 4 mths if you wish. Remember, once you introduce solids you, in effect, begin the weaning process.
I nursed both of my kids; my daughter for 15 1/2 mths & started cereal at about 5 mths. My son I nursed for 2 yrs & began cereal at about the same time. Both did very well. Starting solids later reduces the risk of the child developing Juvenile diabetes & child overweight.

I definetely think you should introduce the rice cereal to him, not very thick...just a mildly runny constistancy. And maybe after a week or 2 if he does good with it, introduce him to apple juice...but do equal portions water and juice. My 4 1/2 month old daughter loves the juice, but prefers it to not be right out the fridge cold. I warm it up enough to take the edge off. I have a lot of experience, too, with big boys. I have 2 of them, both almost 10 lbs at birth! They were always so much more hungry at an earlier stage. My girl is definetely different than they were as far as how much and how often they ate! Don't go by what you did with your daughter...she is a different person. Go with your motherly gut instinct. You know him best! :)

I would wait until atleast 5 months just from experience. My son's doctor actually said that he would prefer me not to feed my son solid foods until much closer to 1 year. He suggested to give him rice ceral a few times a day but it really was just about getting his mouth and tonge ready for solid foods and talking. The brestmilk that you give your child has every bit of stuff he needs. When you start giving them other "real" foods you are taking away a portion of the breastmilk. So you can talk to your doctor about all of it...usually they are the best ones to give you advice. My son had nothing but breastmilk until about 8 months...well I can't say nothing because I gave him ceral, fruits and vegies but they were never at large amounts. He has been for the last 4 year a very healthy child.
goodluck

Okay...I just want to address one of the responses you have gotten. It is a fact that formula fed babies are more likely to be overweight than breastfed babies. There is absolutely no need for your child to be on a diet at 3 / 4 months old. You are doing absolutely the best thing for your son by solely breastfeeding him. My son was also very big at that age, weighing around the same at the same age. He is now 16 months and he weighs only 24 pounds. DO NOT WORRY about your son being overweight. Now that I have gotten that off my chest...I would not introduce cereal until at least 4 months. But, to be honest, there is no real need to give your son anything other than your milk until 6 months. If you are just needing a break, you might try a little cereal and just see if it helps. My kids really did better with just breastmilk until about 5 months. Ultimately, he is your son, and you need to do what works best for you and your family!! I hope this helps. You might also go to www.llli.org. It is the La Leche League website and you will find an answer to any breastfeeding related question you might have. You can also find a consultant in your area to call with any questions. Don't worry...you are doing to absolute best thing in the world for your son right now!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

Hi Jill,
I would wait a little longer yet. Your baby is getting all the nutrients he needs from your milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until 6 months, but I know a lot of pediatricians say you can start at 4. Another study that I ready stated that there is a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes in children who start solids before 4 months of age or after 7 months of age. Hope this helps! I too, had a cute chubby baby wearing 9 mo clothes at 3 mos of age and he is now a skinny toddler and I waited until almost 6 months to start feeding him. Good luck!

Hey I caught your question and thought I would reply. I have a almost 6 month old baby boy, and he has been on cereal for 2 months. He does great with it. He weighs about 17 lbs. He eats it in the morning and at night right before eating his bedtime bottle. I do not know if this is any help, but I would definitley say feed him if he is hungry. I am a mother of 3, a 6 yr. old, a 3yr.old, and my litttle boy. Hope this helps.

I would go ahead and introduce cereal. You might want to pump or otherwise extract some extra breast milk to mix with the cereal so it will taste more familiar and he'll be more willing to accept it. I would make it pretty watery (thin) at first then gradually thicken it up a little so it's more filling. If he's anything like all my kids he'll really like the new texture. I would feed him cereal only once a day at first to see how his system takes it. Remember - thicker food means thicker poop.
Also - he may seem like all he wants to do is eat because he's ready for a growth spurt - and no amount of solid food will stop that.

Our middle child was big and healthy (rolling at 2 weeks), and by the time he was 2 1/2 months he would scream when we ate until we let him have some. We started with pears (who's ever heard of a pear allergy?).
Anyway, that to say I can't imagine it would be a problem to give your big 3 1/2 month old cereal. My 9 month old weighs less than him!

I breastfed exclusively for 6 months, and then introduced cereal after she was 6 mos and the doctor gave me the OK. I would ask your pediatrician.

The AAP recommends only breastmilk or formula for the 1st 6 months at least. This is because their digestive systems still aren't mature enough to handle certain foods, risk of choking, and risk of allergies.

Hello Jill,
I did a bunch of reading. My little Girl is only 14.5 pounds and she is 5 month now. The main reason to start them on cereal is to get them used to solids, so they learn how to move it around in their mouth and how to eat it. I replace now one Breastfeeding with one cereal feeding. I mix the rice cereal with breast milk. I also started making her the puree's. I did get a great cookbook. His main nutrition is still coming from your breastmilk, he is just getting used to eating solids. I hope this helps.

If you are interested on making your own baby food let me know and I will tell you what book I got.

Have a great Day

T.