Nursing and Cereal - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

zmanzelli · 07-25-2008, 01:06 PM

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.

janewhite1 · 07-25-2008, 03:23 PM

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.

kittyroo · 07-25-2008, 08:24 PM

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.

abby1998 · 07-25-2008, 08:31 PM

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?

snowdrift · 07-26-2008, 12:21 AM

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.