(Closed) When do I start giving my baby cereal?

• Viandjason
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: June 2014

It’s 4 months for rice cereal. I’m a pediatrician. 

• aussiemum1248
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: November 1999

@HappyBride827:  I started mine at 4 months, but that was in ’90s and the advice might have changed since then.

This page says 4-6 months http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00029

This Australian government site says 6 months, and I saw a couple of other Australian government sites saying the same thing: http://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/the_guidelines/n55e_infant_brochure.pdf

So it looks to me like the best advice is 6 months, and the people telling you 4 months are older ladies like me 🙂

• julies1949
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: November 1999

@HappyBride827:  Like many things in child rearing, there is no one answer that works for everyone.

Any health professional would also want more information to make a recommendation for your baby. Not all babes need solids at 4 months. Most do by 6 months. Is the baby breast or formula fed? How ofen is he beiing fed ( on average)? Is he happy, healthy and gaining weight?

This is the information we give out:http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile69c.stm

for further information:http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthyeating/everyoneeveryage/infantschildren.html

• Schatzie821
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: August 2010

You can start at 4 months if your baby is showing interest in food and is able to sit up with assistance such as a high chair without slumping. However, there is a great debate over whether or not babies can actually digest cereal and grains before age two so the nutritional value is questionable. Many people suggest to start with vegetables or fruit. Sweet potatoes and avocado and prunes are all good choices. Some babies are not ready for solids at 4 months but you can try and see :). Mine loved them and we started with cereals, not sure what we will do for the next one. 

• lms6610
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: June 2010

If you’re breastfeeding, I’d wait until 6 months. The gut doesn’t mature as fast as it does if baby gets formula. 

• LuluH
• 7 years ago

• Wedding: May 2012

My pedi said 6 months. My baby is exclusively breastfed though.