When will you start cereal?

GAbride2006

My twins were born December 30th but since it was so late in the month, I find I fit in better here. They will be 16 weeks old tomorrow and I am really ready to start cereal. Mostly b/c it's so hard to keep DS full. When do you plan to start? Our pediatrician said wait til 4 months at the 2 month check up but will a week make a difference? Also, how much do I put in the bottle or should I give it by spoon?

alykuchin

My son was born 12/31/11, i also feel this is a better fit.  i spoke with my pedi yesterday and she said i could start giving him cereal by spoon.  He seems ready for it, very interested in our food and inhales his bottles. 

theladyjess

I'm waiting to start until 6 months.  Rice cereal has zero nutritional value so there's no point in giving it to K.

Jess084

6 months here, too. No need for me to rush if he is thriving on breastmilk. 

kaay16

Jess084:

6 months here, too. No need for me to rush if he is thriving on breastmilk. 

This

shotzie

DD2 won't get solids until she's at least 6 months old and showing signs of being ready for solids (sitting unassisted, interested in our food, has lost tongue thrust reflex). We'll be skipping rice cereal and starting with mashed avocado or banana. Like pp said, rice cereal has no nutritional value to it. Even once you start solids, you just give them a small amount. Breastmilk or formula is still supposed to be their main source of nutrition until age 1. I wouldn't rely on rice cereal to fill them up. We started DD1 on rice cereal at 6 months and all it did was make her constipated. If I knew then what I know now about RC, I wouldn't have ever given it to her.

CharlieTheUnicorn

I'm not planning on it ever. We skip the baby food and let our kids eat table food when they are ready. 

BritanyV

shotzie:

DD2 won't get solids until she's at least 6 months old and showing signs of being ready for solids (sitting unassisted, interested in our food, has lost tongue thrust reflex). We'll be skipping rice cereal and starting with mashed avocado or banana. Like pp said, rice cereal has no nutritional value to it. Even once you start solids, you just give them a small amount. Breastmilk or formula is still supposed to be their main source of nutrition until age 1. I wouldn't rely on rice cereal to fill them up.

Ditto to this.   

 

Jessiree

We'll also be doing BLW and skipping cereal completely.

You are the parent and have to make the decision about when to start cereal, but remember starting solids before babies are truly ready makes them more vulnerable to allergies - just something to consider.

lp0

I was planning on talking to the dr at ds's 4 month appointment. I feel like he's ready for it.

kms34

We will be skipping cereal with DS2. It made DS1 so constipated and since it has no nutritional value, there's no point.  I would like to wait to six months to introduce avocado and sweet potatoes but I have a feeling DS will be ready earlier.  Definitely not before 4-4.5 months though.

SoonToBeMsP

Ditto shotzie.

I much prefer the idea of going straight to table foods, so that will probably be between 6-8 months. 

Thinkerbelle80

I would never start this early.  The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding until at least six months of age.  At this age, they really don't need cereal for calories.  Food is just to help them experiment with new tastes and learn how to eat.  Do not put cereal in a bottle as it can clump and they can choke.  Use a spoon.  Also, I don't plan on starting with cereal at all.  I'll start with pureed veggies and fruits because they have more nutritional value and flavor than cereal.  I don't want to start with overly processed foods. 

Thinkerbelle80

Also, if you do decide to start with cereal, just give an ounce and always give it after a full feeding of breastmilk or formula.