kulrblind

Hey parental-types:

We've just started the little guy (4 mos) on rice cereal once a day, in the mornings, on the paed's orders -- he's got low iron. Oh, he's also being breastfed.

Anyway, what are your experiences regarding moving forward with different types of cereals (oat, barley, etc). When, how much, and how often? How about rotating the types of cereals? We've done some research into when to start on sweeter foods (i.e. after the vegetables have been introduced), and all of that makes sense, but I haven't seen or heard much about ramping up on the cereals.

So, instead of a whack of links to "feeding your infant", I'd just like to hear your stories / tips.

-kulrblind

Bill O'Rights

"The Little Guy" will help you along. Babies are funny, in that they know what they need and want. If you learn to interperate the signs...he'll tell you what he prefers, what he needs and how much of it. My own little "amendment" never cared for rice, but loved oatmeal. When he had enough, he would push it away. If he wanted more...oh yeah, he let you know.

Just try different things.

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God of Thunder

We started the little "goddess" out on cereal about a month ago (she's 6-months now) and she eats it right up. We added veggies last week.

We also heard about the sweeter stuff first. We started with carrots and went to sweet potatos and then to squash. She seems to like it all right now.

The schedule so far is cereal in the morning, veggies at supper time and a little more cereal right before bed.

Bill O'Rights is correct in saying they will help guide you.

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joeb1

We were told to start our yougest on rice cereal immediately. He had some reflux problems and needed the extra weight of the cereal to settle his stomach. Our other three children we have started on rice cereal. I think that the rice is more easily digested than the oats. Or at least the rice is easier to get through the bottle. We normally started giving them a little in their bottles at night. But if your kid can keep the food in his/her mouth there is no reason they cannot be spoon fed. The doctors had told us to not start giving cereals until six months. Which we found to be damn near impossible. These kids like to eat! Right now our youngest son is at four months also. He is consuming 7oz of formula with 3 teaspoons of rice cereal in his formula. And then for his last feeding at night. Normally 9pm he gets the above and one small jar of 1st stage fruits or veg. He then sleeps until about 7am. Which is when we start all over.
Every kid is going to be different. As said previously, just try different things.

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erion

We started giving him some cereal at about 8-10 weeks, and he loved it. Soon we supplemented with some of the starter baby foods, but by 6 or 7 months he had teeth and was eating noodles and soft meats/vegetables. Mom ate a lot of vegetables while she was pregnant and to date the only thing I've seen him spit out repeatedly was zucchini. He even likes brussels sprouts, and asks for broccoli when he sees it in the grocery store.

I don't think he's stopped eating since. I truly fear for his teenage years.

Charlatan

One night my wife said... OK it's time for food. We plopped some strained carrots down in front of the Monster and she ate them... she also rubbed them on her face and into her hair...

Within a week she was eating and wearing pretty much anything we put in front of her.

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KMA-628

Solid foods was awesome-that was when they actually started to sleep through the night (I guess they stayed full longer on the solid foods).

All three of mine threw the bottle at us and refused to take it anymore. We got concerned with #1, but the doc gave us some solid food suggestions and away she went.

Personally, I think it was when the taste buds developed because the formula was some nasty stuff. Each kid was different but the average age was 3-5 months.

But, I agree with everyone above. They tell you when it is time, what they want, etc. Follow their lead, nature knows what it is doing.

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Hash_Browns

In my experience, like it's been said, rice is the easiest for babies to digest. I would work with that first and foremost, get the little one used to it and make sure she has no reactions to it (allergies). Once she's doing fine on the plain rice, then you can try different grains. They also have fruit flavors available like Rice w/banana and the like, save those for a few weeks to a month down the road and make sure she's digesting the plain stuff first.

I wouldn't recommend cereal in the bottle if you can help it, and no offense, I was just told it can cause ear infections and other results from having to suck harder on the nipple (although if she's breastfeeding, I'm guessing that's not a problem). Make sure to mix it kinda thin (with expressed breastmilk) for the first few times because it can constipate her if it's too thick and she's not ready...

I can go on and on with different things my kids have gone through (2 girls, notice the her/she references) but you will get the idea as time goes by. And NEVER be afriad to call the doctor, that's what they get paid big bucks for Also, invest in some gas drops, if her belly gets hard or she gets fussy, a few drops may be allshe needs to feel better!!

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kulrblind

Hey everyone:

Thanks for your stories so far. He's getting variably mixed rice cereal once a day right now, and seems to be liking it just fine. He's not crying out for more or anything, but I gather he's just getting the hang of having solids in his mouth and learning to swallow without sucking.

He's been a good sleeper, too, so we haven't been tempted to slip some solids into bottles or anything like that; just trying to make a go of the "this is food in solid form" angle, which is going well.

It's great to hear that some of your (collective) children are liking the vegetables. That's kinda important

Hash_Browns

When my kids were on baby's first solids, they LOVED veggies...only thing is, now that they both have grown up to 'big people food' they won't eat anything but corn and broccoli They are 4 and 2, and the youngest won't eat what her sister won't it...it's amazing to me that she watches her so closely and I love that in a way, but I hope she gets out of it when it comes to meals!!

I'm glad the babe seems to be doing so well!

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canuckguy

nice thread, was wondering the same thing as the doctor has said that we should start our little girl (just over 3 months) on the baby cereal in two weeks.

thubpt

I'm heavily in agreement with Hash_Browns about the cereal in the bottle kick. Cereal doesn't always dissolve all the way, and there's always a small chance the baby could suck in a lump and choke. I was practically traumatized when my mother-in-law demanded that her son get her a needle so she could make the hole in the nipple larger to accomodate the cereal!

On a brighter note, my first daughter has always been a finicky eater, and she loathed giving up the bottle (she was also late to be potty-trained.) My second daughter, on the other hand, loved solid foods - I started her at 4 months on cereal, and within two weeks she was practically begging for more! That child used to sit with me at the dinner table while I ate, and not take her eyes off of my fork! She's 17 months now, and will eat anything you feed her. I'm a proud mama of a hummus eater at last!

What it all boils down to is - like everyone else has said - your angel will make it known what she wants. Just roll with it

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