I took my 2 week old son to the dr. today and they told me that since I am nursing exclusively, I need to start him on baby cereal @ 4 months instead of the normally 6 - 7 months due to iron issues. Has anyone else heard of this? Or done this? Just curious...plus he is doing very well on the nursing - his birth weight was 7 lbs 1 oz, his 4 day appt. was 6 lbs 10 oz (which I was told was normal) and his two week appt he was 8 lbs even and everything else was normal. So, his growth is ruled out as an issue. I just always was told to wait at least 6 months because their stomachs couldn't handle any other type of foods so any feedback is appreciated.

Most babies don't need any iron for 6 months because they stole so much from you before birth! However, starting on a thin cereal at 4 months is ok, and many doctors recommend it, and many parents do it. No other food until 6 months, though.

I think you would be fine to hold off 'till 5 or 6 months for the cereal. My son got breast milk only until then and it has been fine. If your MD were truly worried about it, they'd have given you a supplement.

I have never heard of this. I think doctors sometimes form their own opinion about things like this. I wouldn't wait until 7 months though, because babies need extra iron at around 6 months. I say, watch for signs of readiness and sometime between 4-6 months when you feel the time is right, then its right.
Are you giving him vitamin D drops?

Don't do it, he doesn't need it, and it won't do him any good. If you are concerned about iron and vit. D, then you should eat iron rich foods and make sure he gets some sun. Baby cereal is unnecessary, especially in breastfed babies. Your milk is all he needs.

In fairness, my little brother and I were both started on iron-enriched cereal at 4 months (both breast-fed, and this was back when doctors couldn't believe babies really were able to go their first 6 months without really eating iron.)

I did fine, brother became horribly constipated immediately and cried non-stop. At no point during infancy did he consume iron-enriched cereal or vitamins, because it all upset his stomach. He started on food at 6 months, and remained strong and healthy, with no signs of anemia at any point.

Oddly enough, in a recent study of iron count among toddlers, those most likely to be deficient were the obese ones. Researchers speculated that these children were fed a great deal of sugary food and fruit juice, but little nutritious food.

Thank you so much for your opinions! My feelings is, if they are concerned about the iron due to just the nursing, then maybe they should test his iron at 4 months and then determine if something needs to change. To make the assumption at 2 weeks old, that because I am nursing, he will be low on iron and should start cereal at 4 months is almost a prejudice remark. I think unless they can prove to me that he is not getting what he needs, I will stick with my plans, which is to nurse exclusively for six months and then incorporate food at six months. Thanks again!

I wasn't able to breastfeed, but I started giving my son cereal when the bottle just wasn't satisfying him anymore, which was about 4 months. Every child is different tho and if breastmilk is filling him up, then I would say wait. You're the parent tho, and you know your child better than anyone. Do what you feel the most comfortable with. I'm sure he'll be fine!