When can I start giving my infant rice cereal in his formula at night?
filed in Pregnancy & Parenting on Mar.17, 2010
My son is 3months 3 weeks and 4 days old. He is now eating 8 ounces of formula or breastmilk at each feeding. When can I give him a little rice cereal in his formula at night?
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
they say not to give your child solids until 6 months of age but i gave my son rice cereal mixed with formula at 5 months. and you dont put rice cereal in the formula you put the formula in the rice cereal and feed him by spoon
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
you should be able to now.
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
It’s really not the best idea to mix cereal in a bottle because the baby can choke on it. Until they are old enough to eat it off of a spoon, they just aren’t ready.
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
doctors say not until they are a year old. I didnt wait that long my child was 5 mths old
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
Normally when they are between 4 and 6 months old, unless the child chokes on his milk during a regular bottle formula at that point I would say your going to have to ask you doctor, he/she will be able to tell you when it’s best for your child. Good luck
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
I started putting a small amount (like, half a teaspoon) into an 8 oz bottle at about 3 months. She’s slept beautifully ever since. I only do it at night, so that she doesn’t wake up hungry. Other than at night, I don’t recommend it, because cereal has almost no nutritional value, and could fill him up to the point where he’s not getting enough formula/breastmilk, which, at this age, has all the nutrients he needs.
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
Never mix cereal in a bottle That is old school thinking and encourages excess calorie consumption and does nothing for the baby. Rice cereal should be introduced between 4 and 6 months and fed by spoon. Ask your doctor. They will say the same thing.
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
Never. You NEVER put cereal in a baby’s bottle.
When he’s around 6 months old you can try offering a small amount of solid food (cereal if you wish, or fruits or veggies) from a bowl, with a spoon. If you are dead set on starting earlier, then at 4 months (but no earlier — and that’s 4 calendar months, NOT 16 weeks) you can try offering some solids — again, from a bowl, with a spoon. If he can’t eat from a bowl, with a spoon, he isn’t ready for solids.
But I wouldnt’ offer them at bedtime. If he has a bad reaction you’ll be up all night. It’s better to offer new foods in the morning.
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
You don’t. Solids, which should be started at 6 months, should never be fed in a bottle, unless directed by a physician for a medical need, such a reflux, in which the risks have been weighed.
March 17th, 2010 on 11:44 pm
Everyone will say no no no no no cereal in his bottle…BUT, as long as you don’t make his bottle the consistency of cottage cheese you will be fine. Try cutting his formula down to 7 ounces and put a formula scoops worth of rice cereal in the bottle. It won’t be thick, it will just put a small amount of bulk in his belly, especially before bedtime when he goes the longest without eating. My son gets cereal in his bottle and he is absolutely perfect. He sleeps through the night, is right on target with weight and an all around healthy, happy baby. Don’t let anyone scare you.