When to start infant cereal and baby food - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Falynsmommy · 08-11-2004, 02:35 PM

Hey all. I have a 3 and a half month old daughter and an 8 year old daughter. My question is when did all of you start your babies on infant cereal, and when did you start them on baby veggies? It has been so long since my oldest was a baby that I forgot how old she was when I began these things. Also, how much is the correct amount to give, how many times a day, etc.

My baby is almost 4 months and I know she is ready for more than formula, I'm just unsure of all the specifics. I know all children are different, I just want a general consensus. Thanks for any help.

Mandy

Teresa882003 · 08-11-2004, 02:42 PM

Hi, I was told by the pediatrician that I wasn't to start the cearl until 4 months because it could cause allergies and digestive problems is started prior too. My little guy is only 7 wks so I don't know how much he will be started on, I was kinda hoping the Dr. would tell me. If I remember correctly from when my neice was little, juice (diluted) is next then fruits, then veggies. Hopefully someone who knows more will answer, or you could call the Dr. Goodluck.

Falynsmommy · 08-11-2004, 04:17 PM

Hey Teresa. Thanks for the quick reply. I have heard differently on the order of foods to introduce. I have heard that you are supposed to start cereal first, then vegetables before any fruits or juices because once they taste that sweetness, they won't want the veggies. It makes sense and that's the order I used with my oldest daughter too. I just can't remember how old she was when I gave her these foods.

Anyone else have any advice? Thanks again.

Mandy

worried_mommy · 08-11-2004, 04:42 PM

I started my daughter on infant cereal at 5 months and after she was eating about 1/2 cup or so twice a day I started her on veggies (about a week and a half after starting cereal). Now she has been on the veggies for about 1 month an I have started introducing fruits. once she has been on cereal, veggies and fruit for a few weeks, I will start her on grains. This was what my Dr. advised because of allergy history in our family, she said usually she tells the same thing to all moms, just shorter times between trying new foods, she wanted me to keep her on just veggies for a whole month befor trying other foods. HTH

MandyAnne26 · 08-12-2004, 05:04 AM

Mix about half a tablespoon with enough formula to make it runny. Start her off with this. give it to her with a spoon. Once that texture is ok with her thicken it slightly...eventually it should be pretty thick (like oatmeal). At at about 5 months you can introduce veggies (assuming everything goes fine with the cereal). One vegtable every 3 days or so, you want to watch for any allergic reaction (this is why only one at a time so you know what he's allergic to if he does react). Then at 6 months you can give fruits, same deal as the vegtables, one at a time, watch for reaction.
This is how i did it with all of mine...some doctors suggest waiting longer, some say fruits and veggies at the same time etc...but this is what i did. The reason for seperating the introduction of fruits and veggies is so your baby gets used to flavors other than sweet ones, after trying fruits your baby may not want vegtables.
Good luck.