Baby Cereal/solids

[dasmith1128]

I started Riley on cereal about 3-4 weeks ago and she hates it, I know it can take a few days for them to get used to it, but she spits so much out and just wants her bottle. I get it ready before she is ready so she wont be screaming but it doesnt matter. DS was so great with cereal he loved it from the 1st time he tried it.

So I know I try fruit/vegis in a couple weeks. I hope she likes them because then I wont know what to do.

Anyone else had this issue

[nick's_mom]

We started the twins on solids at 4 months. Do you think you could go ahead and put some fruit in her cereal? I'm sure a little applesauce wouldn't hurt and it would make it a little sweeter.

[Leanna]

Delia- I know it's fun to feed them solids, but she really doesn't need anything other than formula or breastmilk for now. Four months is way too early to be worried that she's not interested in solids. Sounds like she knows what she needs for now too! I would try again at 6 months. Remember that for the first year solids are just for practice, so even if she just takes a few spoonfuls a day at six months, she is still doing fine! Yes she will be more likely to take the cereal if you sweeten it with fruit, but when she is really ready for it she'll eat it unsweetened. Good luck!

[Preemienurse]

Well, you're really not supposed to start any solids until four months, and even after that it's really just for practice until the end of the first year. Maybe she was fighting it because she wasn't ready. Younger babies thrust their tongues and don't like the texture of solids - they're just not ready for them yet. Usually they say to wait a few more weeks and try again. If it happens next time you try, wait another few weeks. Like Leanna said, she really only needs breastmilk or formula right now, so don't worry about pushing the solids if the baby doesn't want them. Good luck!

[dasmith1128]

Well I appreciate your responses but my dr as well as past experience indicate that starting on the baby cereal at 4 months and fruits/vegis at 5 work best. I feel it is a matter of dislike rather than age, she is only going to get more experience and like for the bottle if that is all she recieves. DS started at 4 months and he has always been a healthy eater and weaned from the bottle very easily.

I have two friends that waited to start their children till later and one friend has a 15 month old who barely eats and will not wean from the breast and a 2yr old nephew who is severly underweight. I do not think this is the parents' fault however I feel that the way I did it with my ds was best and I will continue to do so.

I was only asking if anyone else has had experience with their child disliking cereal regardless of age, I also have a friend who started her ds on cereal at 4 months and he hated it, he loved all the other stuff, I was just wondering how common this is.

[Preemienurse]

Originally Posted by dasmith1128

Well I appreciate your responses but my dr as well as past experience indicate that starting on the baby cereal at 4 months and fruits/vegis at 5 work best. I feel it is a matter of dislike rather than age, she is only going to get more experience and like for the bottle if that is all she recieves. DS started at 4 months and he has always been a healthy eater and weaned from the bottle very easily.

Most people do start cereal at 4 months, but according to your post and your DD's age, it sounds like you started her at 3 months, which is really too soon and maybe explains why she hated it. That's all I was saying.

I know this sounds stupid, but I have to ask - you're adding breastmilk or formula to the cereal instead of plain water, right? I only ask because I know a bunch of moms who just made the cereal with water and then wondered why their baby hated it - well because it tasted like wallpaper paste, LOL!

There are also some docs out there who feel baby cereal is unnecessary and say you can start with veggies and fruits, especially if the baby doesn't like the cereal. Maybe once you add some fruit to it she'll enjoy it more. Good luck!

[Leanna]

Delia- To answer your original question, neither of my kids really took to plain cereal but both did great with veggies and later fruit. Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way with my earlier post! Of course you know what's best for your baby. I was going by my own experiences too. Bonnie didn't start solids until after 6 months, wasn't weaned from the breast until almost 2, and is a fantastic eater. I had the same goal for Jack. Each kid is different though, and he was ready for solids just a bit before 6 months. They both eat asparagus, brussel sprouts, and any veggie I put in front of them now. I think in the long run, the variety of foods kids are offered and see around them have a bigger play in eating habits than just what and when they started baby food. I think Jack took to solids quicker than Bonnie because he was always watching her. Riley will probably follow big brother Jaxon's lead and take to a variety of foods too.

[lovescurtism]

Could it possibly be the texture - did you make it really thin - just a bit thicker than formula?

J

[dasmith1128]

Sorry if I came across as upset, I wasnt I just fell very differently. I do appreciate your opinions and responses. I guess I might have started a little early, it was about a week 1/2 before 4 months.

In response to the other questions, I use formula, I just finished breastfeeding her about 1 week ago, with her cereal and while its not the most appetizing I agree its better than plain water. I guess I just have to go off what I have experienced while I am sure there are many ways that work.


I hope that when we try fruits and vegis she likes them better

[prinny]

Spike thought cereal was crap. He STILL does. He really didnt start 'eating' anything until he was about 6.5 months. And for him, twas peas that unlocked the gate!

Prinn xxxx