Wait 6 months for cereal?

Steph_in_NJ

I've been EBF and LO's doing great -- height and weight are good and my supply's good. I've been back to work for a month and I'm pumping more than she eats at daycare so my freezer's filling up.

Her 4-month dr appt was yesterday, and DH came with me. I like the dr overall, but she makes comments that seem to be saying that BFing won't work for me, like she's skeptical or something. Before she she's said that formula's fine, put rice cereal in her bottle, etc even though BFing's working for us. I've just been ignoring these comments.

I've heard that waiting 6 months to introduce solids is best for babies and planned on doing this. Yesterday the dr suggested starting LO on cereal, to make sure she's getting enough, that she may be nursing a lot b/c she needs more food. I think she's actually reverse cycling and/or comfort eating based on how she is at daycare and when I get her home (doesn't like bottles, wants to nurse as soon as I get her home even if she had a bottle recently, etc.).

Now DH thinks we should give her cereal. I told him I think we should wait and why, and he called me "Dr Steph" sarcastically.

Help! Does anyone have links to actual articles that say it's best to wait 6 months? I found some stuff on Kelly mom and her list of references, but if anyone has anything else to help back me up I'd appreciate it. Something that's not too technical or long so he'll actually sit down and read what I'm talking about, but from a reliable source would be terrific.

 

 

xxerin&stevexx

I started cereal at 5 months.  He loved it.  But I would never ever put it in a bottle.  That is ridiculous that your doctor said that!  And the comment about making sure she is getting enough... if she is gaining weight and peeing and pooping then there is no question!  This is taken from the american pediatric association site: 

"Most babies are ready to eat solid foods at 4 to 6 months of age. Before this age instead of swallowing the food, they push their tongues against the spoon or the food. This tongue-pushing reflex is necessary when they are breastfeeding or drinking from a bottle. Most babies stop doing this at about 4 months of age. Energy needs of babies begin to increase around this age as well, making this a good time to introduce solids."

But every baby is different.  If you don't want to start until 6 months, you don't have to.  

*MMEJ*

On BabyCenter.com it says this:

"The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for at least six months ? though parents will attest that some babies are eager and ready to eat solids earlier."

At this page:

https://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc#articlesection1

It states the same thing on this site:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/pages/Facts-for-Fathers-About-Breastfeeding.aspx

I'm sorry your doctor isn't more supportive of you breastfeeding!  Have you considered finding one who is more in line/supportive of your choice?

Bubbles1022

DD's pedi is always so happy and supportive of me BF'ing.  She always seems so impressed when at the begining of each visit she asks if I'm still BF'ing and I say yes.  Makes me think most of her patients are FF.

She told us that if we wanted and were comfortable and felt she needed it, we could start cereal but we didn't have to and could wait until 6 months.  She said it was a decision for us to make as DD's parents.

Our pedi also said never put cereal in bottle!

I'm sorry your doctor and H are not being supportive right now!  Go with your gut!!  You know what is best for your baby.  Try again to talk with H.  I hope he comes around soon!

CanonMom

I started my first DD on cereal at 4 months (maybe a week after). Her ped. Ok'd it, and instead of using water to mix the cereal, I used breastmilk.

she did fine, and loved it! PS i only did it once a day and it was around lunchtime.

Steph_in_NJ

Thank you!! Will share the new links with DH tonight.

I have thought about changing doctors, but I like her overall. I just take her feeding advice with many grains of salt and ignore what I don't agree with. I know other moms who BF and get most of my info from them. And I learn a lot from people on here. I guess that's not the ideal scenario actually, but is how it's working out.

DH is supportive of BFing overall, just knows that it's hard sometimes and would like to be able to help with feedings more. He's offered to give her bottles of BM so I can get a break, but with the pumping and cleanup I figure it's easier to just BF. I think he sees cereal as giving me a break from BFing.   

I really don't feel ready to give her cereal and she shows no interest at all. My LO LOVES to nurse, and that's a huge motivator to keep going with it.

Ginlyn0

https://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/

 

 

SugarhillHnA

I'm actually considering waiting on cereal or even skipping it altogether after some reading I've done in The Womenly Art of Breastfeeding, WTETFY, two books I have on making your own baby food, and various sites online.  There isn't much nutritional value to cereal except that store bought cereal is fortified with iron and you're adding either formula or breastmilk to it and they have all the nutrients.  My DD is gaining well and if she keeps it up and my supply maintains now that I'm back at work I will at least hold off on cereal until she's 5 months and possibly skip it altogether and just start pureed foods at 6 months.

smilelari

All of these orgs recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life:

World Health Organization
UNICEF
US Department of Health and Human Services
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Dietetic Association
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Health Canada

The AAP actually contradicts itself.  The AAP breastfeeding policy statement recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life but the Committee on Nutrition states that babies may start on solids between 4 and 6 months of age.

 I think those are some pretty reputable sources.

dusk42

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000.asp

 

At around 5.5 months, she wanted to start playing with a spoon, etc.  From 6 to 9 months, they are just learning how to eat solids, but most nutrition comes from BM still.  

 

The most important reason (to me) to wait is the permeability of the gut and the development of food allergies.  

 

We also didn't start with cereal.  We had carrots in the house, so I pureed one for her.  My mom bought us some oatmeal for her, so sometimes I mix that with whatever fruit or vegetable I am giving her - a lot of kids don't like it by itself (she doesn't).  They do eventually need a reliable source of iron, and we haven't introduced meat yet, so mixing iron-fortified cereal in with fruits and veggies is helpful.  

 

There is absolutely no reason to put it in a bottle - babies need to learn how to eat and putting solids in a bottle doesn't teach them that.   

smilelari

dusk42:

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000.asp

 

At around 5.5 months, she wanted to start playing with a spoon, etc.  From 6 to 9 months, they are just learning how to eat solids, but most nutrition comes from BM still.  

 

The most important reason (to me) to wait is the permeability of the gut and the development of food allergies.  

 

We also didn't start with cereal.  We had carrots in the house, so I pureed one for her.  My mom bought us some oatmeal for her, so sometimes I mix that with whatever fruit or vegetable I am giving her - a lot of kids don't like it by itself (she doesn't).  They do eventually need a reliable source of iron, and we haven't introduced meat yet, so mixing iron-fortified cereal in with fruits and veggies is helpful.  

 

There is absolutely no reason to put it in a bottle - babies need to learn how to eat and putting solids in a bottle doesn't teach them that.   

We also skipped cereal but were quick to introduce meat.  There are lots of grains that have naturally high iron levels as well