when can i start putting a little rice cereal in olivia's bottle?

6 months is when they say babies can have cereal, and your not supposed to put it into a bottle.

we always put a little in our older dd's bottle because it was like she was always hungry and that is the way olivia is.

Consult with your DD's pediatrician. I know the recommendations have changed since I had my son 2 years ago...

We were told by our pediatrician no earlier than 6 months, because their digestive system can't handle it well until then.

it's not like i want to start feeding her cereal, i just want to thicken up her formula a little cause it just doesn't seem to hold her over very well.

i'll talk to her doc next week and see what she says.

I was just told not until 6 months.

I was told not till 5 months, but that was also almost 7 years ago. I wouldn't do it at all till you talk to the dr.

http://www.drgreene.com/21_861.html

i just read the earliest is 4 months, so i think i'll wait till then.

I've known people to start as early as 4 months, but the norm is 6 months.

never did cereal

it's not like i want to start feeding her cereal, i just want to thicken up her formula a little cause it just doesn't seem to hold her over very well.

that is just a myth it doesn't help hold her over, the only thing you can do is feed her more when she is hungry. I have always been told somewhere between 4-6 months depending on the ped. and most told me to wait as long as possible.

some babies eat a lot... it's a myth that cereal will help. ellie sometimes eats every hour, and she's breastfed so it keeps me busy sometimes, but that's one of the joys of being a mom :)

The only time I have heard of a Dr ok-ing cereal in the bottle is when a baby has SEVERE reflux or is loosing a big amount of weight.
If that is not the case, then I would wait.

The only time I have heard of a Dr ok-ing cereal in the bottle is when a baby has SEVERE reflux or is loosing a big amount of weight.
If that is not the case, then I would wait.

Yep. Our dr. okayed cereal in Johnny's bottle around 3 months and then baby food before 4 months because he was spitting up everywhere. The projectile vomitting several times a day.

Now we did put cereal in Breanna's bottle when she was 2 months. Chalk this up to a first time mommy that didn't know and relied on what her MIL told her. When I told WIC I was putting cereal in her bottle I thought the lady was going to fall on the floor. I got a huge lecture. It did help hold her off a bit though between feedings.

I would say do your research, talk to her ped. and go from there. Good Luck. :)

Gonna vary ped by ped. WIth both Ethan and Ashley I was told 4 months I could start feeding em cereal. And always with a spoon and not in a bottle. Ashleys ped DID suggest a little rice cereal in the formula because of her reflux but I refused to put it in her bottle. So we did Zantac for her reflux

Enfamil has a formula out that has a bit of it added in. AR I think it is? Maybe try that.

But I have also heard its a myth about it sustaining em better. Because in theory alls its really doing is expanding their tummy size and making em hungrier in the long run.

Good luck

I've been told/read that if the baby is FF, than starting oatmeal or cereal around 4 months is ok. If the baby is BF, then normally they say to wait around 6 months.

I think it's a myth, too, that putting cereal in the bottle helps them sleep better.

athena is eating solids and ice cereal at 4 months the doctor said shes ahead on everything so her digestive system is ready too

Gonna vary ped by ped. WIth both Ethan and Ashley I was told 4 months I could start feeding em cereal. And always with a spoon and not in a bottle. Ashleys ped DID suggest a little rice cereal in the formula because of her reflux but I refused to put it in her bottle. So we did Zantac for her reflux

Enfamil has a formula out that has a bit of it added in. AR I think it is? Maybe try that.

But I have also heard its a myth about it sustaining em better. Because in theory alls its really doing is expanding their tummy size and making em hungrier in the long run.

Good luck

TOTALLY AGREE! :yes

.

athena is eating solids and ice cereal at 4 months the doctor said shes ahead on everything so her digestive system is ready too

just because a baby is developmentally advanced doesn't mean their bodies are... :confused

just because a baby is developmentally advanced doesn't mean their bodies are... :confused

:yes agree

I gave Andrea cereal in her formula at 7 weeks and she is fine. I didn't put a lot but it seemed to help her get fuller. I never asked the doctor about it and he has never said anything to me about it. I just made sure it was the single grain rice cereal.

I haven't read any of the other replies by Madelyn has acid reflux and at 3 months old they told me to start putting cereal in her bottle to help thicken it up and I saw 3 different doctors who said the same thing.

it's one thing to do it for reflux, KWIM?

I haven't read any of the other replies by Madelyn has acid reflux and at 3 months old they told me to start putting cereal in her bottle to help thicken it up and I saw 3 different doctors who said the same thing.

they tell u that for reflux because cereal makes it "heavier" therefore is easier to stay down and not bubble up. It doesnt make them stay fuller longer tho. Thats a myth that alot of people seem to get wrapped up in.

it's one thing to do it for reflux, KWIM?

Ya, if it hadn't been for that I wouldn't have started it until about 6 months and then only in a bowl. It was their last suggestion to help some before starting her on meds.

they tell u that for reflux because cereal makes it "heavier" therefore is easier to stay down and not bubble up. It doesnt make them stay fuller longer tho. Thats a myth that alot of people seem to get wrapped up in.

Yes I know lol

Lydia had reflux and we used the AR formula which I do believe is thickened with rice (it's a much thicker consistency than regular formula), I'd use that sooner than the rice cereal.

Lydia started on rice cereal and stage 1 baby foods at about 4 months, but she already had a couple teeth. She progressed pretty quickly with teeth and baby food after that.

Yes I know lol

yeah I gathered that :lol

MDD had reflux too. The cereal thing didnt work and I HATED putting solids in her bottle. So she was on zantac for a year.

they tell u that for reflux because cereal makes it "heavier" therefore is easier to stay down and not bubble up. It doesnt make them stay fuller longer tho. Thats a myth that alot of people seem to get wrapped up in.

Yep. For reflux it sits down in there and isnt all liquid. So it helps it not boil back up their esophagus which isnt fully developed until after 6 months. The thing with cereal making em full is that it may start out that way but all your really doing is expanding their tummy. Think about it. Say you dont eat anything and just drink water and milk for a month. Your tummy has shrunk. Then you start eating solids like cheeseburgers. At first you will only be able to take 1 bite and be stuffed. Then you will be hungrier and take 2 bites and be stuffed and so on. When I started both my kids on cereal at 4 months it really did not help them sleep any longer or better. Plus the earlier you start certain things it ups the chance they can develop an allergy later on. I started spoonfeeding both the cereals at the 4 month mark with the peds ok.

Enfamil does make a formula with rice but it isnt thick etc. Its the AR and I do know peeps who used that for reflux. I just "personally" am not a fan of cereal in bottles just because. I prefer to spoon feed it. And Ash has reflux. I woulda done the cereal in her bottle as a last resort but I didnt just want to jump on that. But thats my own personal view.

under 4 months I wouldn't start adding it until the Pedi says it's alright.

Infants 1-3 months old:
• An infant of this age should only be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 30-32 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• Introducing any other foods or liquids will not benefit the infant and may actually harm the infant.

Infants 4 months old:
• An infant of this age should only be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 30-32 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY can you introduce infant rice cereal. The infant only needs 1-4 Tbsp. divided into two feedings. Start with iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
*When your baby can:
-sit with support
-hold head steady
-keep food in mouth and swallow it

Infants 5 months old:
• An infant of this age should only be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 30-32 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY can you introduce infant rice cereal. The infant only needs 1-4 Tbsp. divided into two feedings. Start with iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
*When your baby can:
-sit with support
-hold head steady
-keep food in mouth and swallow it

Infants 6 months old:
• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 30-32 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY can you introduce infant rice cereal. The infant only needs 4-6 Tbsp. divided into two feedings. Start with iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY you may start 1-5 TBSP. of strained vegetables, 1-5 Tbsp. of strained fruit.
• You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.
• DO NOT give your baby homemade: carrots, spinach, beets, turnips, or collard greens before 6 months.
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.
* When your baby can:
-sit with support
-hold head steady
-keep food in mouth and swallow it

Infants 7 months old:
• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 29-31 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY can you introduce infant rice cereal. The infant only needs 4-6 Tbsp. divided into two feedings. Start with iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY you may start 1-5 TBSP. of strained vegetables, 1-5 Tbsp. of strained fruit.
• You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.
•DO NOT give your baby homemade carrots, spinach, beets, turnips, or collard greens before 6 months.
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.
* When your baby can:
-sit without support
-hold head steady
-keep food in mouth and swallow it
-begin to chew

Infants 8 months old:
At 8 months of age begin to decrease the amount of milk and increase foods because of increased nutritional needs.

• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 26-31 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY can you introduce infant rice cereal. The infant only needs 4-6 Tbsp. divided into two feedings. Start with iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY may you begin the following:
1/4-1/2 cup of strained or mashed vegetables
1/4-1/2 cup of strained or mashed fruit.
(You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.)
1 cracker
1 biscuit
1-3 Tbsp. strained meat, poultry, fish, tofu, cottage cheese, or cheese
1 Tbsp. mashed egg yolk (hard cooked)
2-4 Tbsp. of potatoes, rice, pasta, mashed beans
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.
* When your baby can:
-sit without support
-hold head steady
-keep food in mouth and swallow it
-begin to chew

Infants 9 months old:
• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 24-30 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• Infant rice cereal should be introduced by now. The infant needs 1/4-1/2 cup divided in two feedings. Start baby cereal with iron. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
• *ONLY IF THE BABY IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY may you begin the following:
1/4-1/2 cup of strained or mashed vegetables
1/4-1/2 cup of strained or mashed fruit.
(You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.)
1 cracker
1 biscuit
1-3 Tbsp. strained meat, poultry, fish, tofu, cottage cheese, or cheese
1 Tbsp. mashed egg yolk (hard cooked)
2-4 Tbsp. of potatoes, rice, pasta, mashed beans
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.
* When your baby can:
-sit without support
-hold head steady
-keep food in mouth and swallow it
-begin to chew

Infants 10 months old:
• Infant rice cereal should be introduced by now. The infant needs 1/4-1/2 cup divided in two feedings. Start with iron-fortified cereal with. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 22-30 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• You may begin offering the following foods:
1/4-1/2 cup of strained or mashed vegetables
1/4-1/2 cup of strained or mashed fruit.
(You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.)
1 cracker
1 biscuit
1-3 Tbsp. strained meat, poultry, fish, tofu, cottage cheese, or cheese
1 Tbsp. mashed egg yolk (hard cooked)
2-4 Tbsp. of potatoes, rice, pasta, mashed beans
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.

Infants 11 months old:
• Infant rice cereal should be introduced by now. The infant needs 1/2-3/4 cup divided in two feedings. Start iron-fortified baby cereal. Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only.
• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or 20-28 oz. of iron-fortified formula/day.
• You can start introducing whole milk between 11-12 months. Start replacing formula with whole milk. Be sure to introduce in a cup.
• You may begin the following:
1/2 - 3/4 cup of chopped vegetables
1/4-1/2 cup of chopped fresh or cooked fruit.
(You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.)
1 cracker
1 biscuit
1/2 oz ground meat, poultry, fish, tofu, cottage cheese, or cheese
1 egg yolk (hard cooked)
1/4 cup of potatoes, rice, pasta, mashed beans
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.

Infants 12 months old:
• Infant rice cereal should be introduced by now. The infant needs 1/2-3/4 cup divided in two feedings. Start with iron-fortified cereal.
Mix cereal with breastmilk or formula.
• The primary purpose of cereal at this age is to allow the infant to learn how food is eaten from a spoon.
• DO NOT put infant cereal inside the bottle. This is a choking hazard! Feed cereal from a spoon only. Infant should be drinking from a cup now.
• An infant of this age should be getting nutrition from breastmilk or whole milk. Your child needs 2-3 servings from the milk group a day. One serving of milk is 1/2 cup.
• You may begin the following:
1/4 cup green vegetables (chopped)
1/4 yellow or orange vegetable (chopped)
1/4-1/2 cup of chopped fresh or cooked fruit.
(You can use a strainer, blender or food grinder. Offer plain food without added salt or sugar.)
2 crackers
2 biscuits
1/4 - 1/3 cup ground meat, poultry or fish
1/2 cup tofu, cottage cheese or cheese
1 whole egg
1/4 - 1/2 cup of potatoes, rice, pasta, mashed beans
• A maximum of 2oz of vitamin C fortified juice mixed with 2 oz of plain tap water may be introduced.
• Juice should be introduced in a cup. Never place juice in a bottle.
• The 4oz of dilute juice should be divided into 2 feedings.

Unless the baby has reflux and the pedi directed you to put cereal in the bottle then I would not do it. It IS a choking hazard and there is no health benefits to doing it.

I put it in their bottles to thicken it up at 4 weeks....but they only get like a 1/2 tsp per oz. And that is late for where we lived. Most people where we lived started around 2 weeks.

I started cereal with my kids much younger then 6 monuths. I know what the recomendation are but not every baby is the same and I felt as their Mom I knew what was best for my kids.

A newborn does not have the digestive enzymes to digest rice cereal so giving it at 1, 2, 3, 4, etc weeks could cause damage. Also feeding from a spoon vastly different then putting it in the bottle.

A newborn does not have the digestive enzymes to digest rice cereal so giving it at 1, 2, 3, 4, etc weeks could cause damage. Also feeding from a spoon vastly different then putting it in the bottle.

:agree

A newborn does not have the digestive enzymes to digest rice cereal so giving it at 1, 2, 3, 4, etc weeks could cause damage. Also feeding from a spoon vastly different then putting it in the bottle.

:yes

Before I moved to the states, I had never heard of putting cereal in the bottles.
While it makes sense with the whole reflux thing, I just see no other purpose, but I only breastfed, so I really do not know much about formula.
I will say that beyond the choking thing, there is a real danger of developing allergies. The reason why it is recommended to hold off of foods, and to only add them gradually is to ward off potential food allergies.
Anyhoo... I would definately clear anything of this nature with a doctor. Better to be safe when it comes to the little one.

i was using it by 3 months. dd nevr had a problem, never constipated or gassy. she is doing great now too.

The only time I have heard of a Dr ok-ing cereal in the bottle is when a baby has SEVERE reflux or is loosing a big amount of weight.
If that is not the case, then I would wait.

Yes, that would be my Bay; she was scaring the crap out of us. So our ped told us give her cereal and we had to change her formula. She was about 2 months, this was 96 and before zantac was given for children (unless under certian times).

She was our first too, so I was unsure about it. But we did and then she started solids--at around 4 months.

With our next four, no body unless, got it in there bottle. I breast fed for about 6 weeks with the others, but supplemented formula.
I hope that makes sense, all of my kids spit up, but bay was the worst

i was using it by 3 months. dd nevr had a problem, never constipated or gassy. she is doing great now too.

The same with me. My kids were HUGE so by three months they were needing something more. My Dr knew.

I've heard of doing this as well. I know they make a formula with added rice cereal to it.

It's the Enfamil AR. you might want to try that too.