rice cereal???

Hey guys- I have a question. When is it ok to start feeding rice cereal? How much do you give, how much do you mix, how often, in a bottle or on a spoon? I've heard so many things and I don't know what to think!! I know you guys will have the answers!! Thanks!

Mandy

Mandy,

solid food usually is introduced between 4-6 months,  u start with only one spoon of the mixed product so put a tiny bit of powder, and if u are brest feeding mix it with the milk and introduce it to baby.  they usually recommand never give solid food in the bottle, use a very small spoon.  also my doctor recommanded that i dont start with rice cereal and he said it usually makes babies constipated, he suggested me to start with apple sauce that i made at home, and then cooked mashed carrots, stay away from citrous till the baby is One (causes allergies) as well as all teh berries and egg white. hop that helps,

Mandy

I know they say not to give cereal in a bottle, but I always did.  I started my babies on rice cereal (about a teaspoon) in 4 ounces of formula and I used a cross-cut nipple on the bottle.  I think it depends on how big the baby is as to when they need it.  My first baby was over 9 pounds when he was born and I think he started cereal at about 2 1/2 months.  My second son was a little under 7 pounds and I started him around 3 months.  I think you can just tell when the formula starts not filling them up and I think it's different for every baby. 

I have never been told not to give babies rice through a bottle.  The only thing I found hard is finding a nipple that would support the idea : ))  I finally found one...It is a God send...  It is Munchkin found at Target.  It is a nipple that you can turn to Slow Med or fast.  They are pretty inexpensive and Violet loves the nipple.  I thru all my expensive bottles in the trash.  I give violet about 1-2 teaspoons in each bottle.  At night is when I give her the two.  It was recommended by her Dr. at 2 1/2 months due to acid reflux.  Just the last three nights I have started feeding it to her with a spoon (about a tablespoon)  and then a teaspoon in the bottle.   I am also using Enfamil a.r. which is thicker b/c there is rice in the formula already.  Violet just turned 4 months.   She was 5 13 at birth and is now 12 1/2 lbs  .Hope this helps!! 

I just started giving Malia 2 teaspoons of cereal in a bottle I pump at night for her.  She is sleeping almost through the night now.  I think it's fine, but you will get lots of different opinions.  I put it in a bottle with a fast nipple and take a lot of breaks for burps.  Hope that helps.

:)) Leila

My doctor put Ella Clare on rice cereal in her nighttime bottles because of her reflux (same with my son).  I put about three tsp in 4 ounces because she spits up a lot even in her sleep.  I don't usually start  it with a spoon until she is 4 months old.  It depends on the baby.  Some are not ready for  solids til 6 months.  If you put a spoon ful in her mouth and her tongue doesn't instinctively push it back out...it's usually safe.  I think they also say that they should be able to support their neck well.

I use number two nipples with the Dr. Brown bottles and it lets the cereal thru at a good slow pace (but not too slow).  We tried a bunch of nipples before  we figured it out.  Hope this helps!

 Lily has been on rice since she was a month old.....she is fine and healthy and hasn't given me any problems....she is sleeping 10 hours at night  9- 7am and is growing like a weed......she gets about 4 tsp per bottle (7-8 oz bottles) and she eats 4 times a day now.....she will be 3 months old tomorrow. it did make her gain weight quickly...and she's a chunk...but she has been happy and we have no hunger problems around here....my pediatrician said it was fine.... so hope that info helps!!!

thanks for all the advice girls!! :)