[SchmennaLeigh]

Ah, a debate. This should be prefaced with every family does what they feel is right for their own. No bashing for individual decisions.

Did you use rice cereal? Yes or no? Did you use another single grain cereal (oat, barley, etc)? Did you use organic rather than "gerber?"

Talk about cereal. go.

[SchmennaLeigh]

We tried rice cereal for two days. Bad news bears on Nick's stomach and digestive tract. Stopped it for a long time until I researched organic oatmeal for babies. Now his bowel movements are easy to move and he loves morning breakfast.

So, that's what our family does.

[spitzlvr]

We are facing this question with our second child right now. Our Ped recommends we start with Rice cereal, then go to Barley and...I forget the third.

I thought you had to start with the single grain cereal.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Gerber makes their different variations in single grain (oat, rice, etc). So do many of the organic brands.

[StorkWatcher]

I started on rice. Have oat, haven't started. Our ped just said start single grain, rice is best (most babies seem to have fewer issues to it, obviously Nick isn't included there!!! and allergies are rare), then move on to oat or barley. We're just not planning to do wheat products for a long time, just in case of an allergy or gluten problem.

We're using Gerber, haven't found organic anywhere around here (we don't get to the bigger cities very often where the organic selection is good)......

[ajjhmf]

We started with rice because we started at 4mos. That's when H switched to pure formula and her birthmom were getting rather hard. We started giving her rice cereal with prunes daily to help regulate her. It worked, happily.

[HBV]

We started with rice (organic) at 4 months. He didn't really like it, so we moved to oatmeal, which he liked better. He moved pretty quickly to other foods, and he doesn't seem to be all that nuts about cereal in general. He'd rather have fruit or veggies. Since he's still taking formula, I'm not worried about his iron intake, so I'm not pushing it.

[jcottrell]

Our intention was to wait until 4 months, then start our son on rice ceral.

However, due to his appetite I am starting to wonder if I should start him earlier. He was eating 8-10 oz of formula every 4-5 hours. He is just 9 weeks old!

Our Ped told us to only give him 6 oz and supplement with water. Needless to say, our son does not like this one bit! Our Ped say's "a chuncky baby is not a healthy baby."

Kerbe's b-dad is 6'5" and b-mom 6"0'. Currently, he is 24 1/2 inches long and weighs 14 pounds. We think that he simply has a big a appetite and is going to be tall like his birthparents. Most people don't look at him and think he's chunky, rather he look like he is going to grow up and be a big boy!

So, back to the question. Because of this, just today I started thinking about watering down some cereal in the near future if he continues to need more food. I understand what our dr. is saying, but we certainly are not force feeding him.... he likes to eat!

[SchmennaLeigh]

I'd hold off on rice cereal, especially before four months. The recommendation used to be between 4-6 months but the new recommendation by the AAP is 6 months. That's a newer recommendation so many are still going on the 4-6 month basis. If doing so, you need to keep these guidelines in mind:

Most babies are ready for solid foods between ages 4 months and 6 months. Look for these cues:

• Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?
• Can your baby sit with support?
• Does your baby seem hungry between regular feedings or wake for nighttime feedings after a period of sleeping through the night?
• Is your baby interested in what you're eating?

If you answer no to any of these questions or you have a family history of allergies, you may want to postpone solids for a while.

(Article: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/PR/00029.html)

Here's a great chart for food introduction: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solids.htm

More info:

At approximately four-to-six months, you can begin adding solid foods. "Most babies are not ready for solids before this time, as they have not lost their tongue-thrust reflex at that age," Dr. Greer says. "Because of this reflex, a young infant will push his tongue against a spoon or anything else inserted into his mouth, including food."

(Article: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases...tnutrition.htm)

I, personally, even if Nicholas had been sitting on his own at three months, would not have introduced solids. Allergies run down my family line, including me with lactose problems, beer, champagne and wine (sulfites) and a random allergy to cinnamon. Josh has allergies as well, though no food allergies. My Mom's parents had no food allergies and she has a ton. So, it can just "happen." That, combined with the growing rate of obesity in our country, made me wait to introduce solids. Of course, that's just what worked for our family.

[SchmennaLeigh]

More: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000.asp#T032001

http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=9310

And, this one, which has a huge list of doctors organizations that recommend holding off: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/so...ay-solids.html

[jcottrell]

Actually, it is enouraging to see these articles. EVERYONE keeps telling me to start him on cereal, and I've been just letting them say their peace, knowing that I wasn't going to until 4 months.

My mother is the only one who has been 'on my side' with the cereal issue. I have several allergies and she firmly believes that is due to her giving me cereal too early.

I was just so discouraged when the Dr. pretty much put our son on a diet; even though he is wanting to eat.

In any case, thanks for the articles.

Jodi

[SchmennaLeigh]

Doctors, despite their education, aren't often up to date on the newest recommendations regarding nutrition, vaccines, etc. That's why research as a parent is so important. We were pushed to start Nick on solids as well... and we waited, though I thought I was going to have to murder people. My Mom took it as a personal insult since we were delaying solids and she didn't. I didn't say she was wrong, I just said "THIS IS MY CHILD." heh. Now we're trying to keep everyone from feeding him table/finger foods. I had to threaten my G-FIL at my FIL's birthday. Nicholas is NOT ready for chocolate cake. LOL.

[StorkWatcher]

I've also had a discussion w/ my friend here (mother of 3 and this is regarding her youngest, around 9 mos old). Both her ped and mind said it was fine to start cereal WAY earlier than either of us felt inclined to.

Her ped admitted that they've started telling people it's okay to start earlier and earlier due to pressure they were getting from PARENTS! So now, rather than saying wait until 5 or 6 mos, because so many people think feeding cereal will "make them sleep through the night", they want to give it even before 3 months! So the doctors think if they can at least prevent people from giving it in a bottle before 3 mos, it's okay......

OUr families think I'm a little anal, but you know what? I WAITED 10 YEARS FOR MY BABY, and I've done some research and preparation in that time. I am also worried about possible food allergies, and I am trusting my instincts. So I make jokes about them laughing about my anal-ness, and it's all good. My MIL actually admitted the other day how glad she is now that I didn't start him earlier. (It took an allergic reaction scare, and watching other peoples' kids eating things that are dangerous for her to realize the importance of what I'm doing.) I try to educate and always explain why I'm doing things. Once they know it's for the health of my child, people back off, even if they don't agree.

Jodi - our son did much better (meaning, the monster appetite was calmed) by eating smaller portions more often. Basically, every 3 hours. In fact, up until the past few weeks, he still wants his formula every 3 hours, during the day. Now, he will sometimes want to wait 4 or a little longer between them, since he's getting more baby food.

Our baby has been a little chubby, not fat at all. He's perfectly healthy and within range of the guidelines. (Even if it's heavy on the weight end, he's still w/ in range of the recommended.)

What I do like about my ped, is that they NEVER tell us what percentile he's in - they chart it and the ped just says how great he looks and what a perfectly normal and pretty baby he is. They don't encourage parents to obsess about the kids' size, but concern themselves w/ his/her health. (Not to say your dr does this, just that it's amazing how many people comment on it or ask what percentile he's in this or that.)

We started oat cereal over the weekend - he really likes it. Much better than the rice.

[NDN]

I used several kinds of cereal with the first kid. Started with rice and moved onto others. Always single grains at first, to be able to detect allergy and then onto mixed. By the time the second kid came I learned a lot more about nutrition and decided it wasn't necessary for the new baby. I made my own baby food, so it was loaded with vitamins and minerals...plus he was breastfed, so there just wasn't a need for cereal to supplement his diet. Now, if he had been like son #1 and had a tendancy to be below weight I would have added the cereal to his regular baby food, as it can help pack on the pounds (in fact, some dog kennel owners use it to get puppies up to sale weight).

I don't really think of the cereal as good or bad, really. I am bothered by the docs that push it so early and for EVERY child. It's definitely not a one size fits all thing. I'm amazed at how many stories I've heard of doctors making moms feel guilty because their baby refused to eat the cereal...even though their diet was otherwise very good. Anyhow...I'm 1:1, and definitely on a case by case about whether or not when or if it is necessary.

[StorkWatcher]

NDN - Love your input - it is so great to hear what other first-time moms are doing here, and also to hear about those who are learning even more or changing with children #2 and so on.