Mixing Cereal In Baby's Bottle:
Just Because Our Mothers Did It, It Doesn't Make It Right


I was told to put cereal in Leah's bottle by older moms. I'm glad I asked the pediatrician first. We had Leah's four month check-up this Tuesday, and we discussed solid food. He said it is crucial to start solids between four and six months. The American Academy of Pediatrics concurs. If you start too early (or too late) you may increase your child's risk for diabetes or food allergies later in life. I received specific instructions on what cereal to start with, and then how to progress to fruits and veggies. The doctor also specified never to put cereal in her bottle. Reason being that until babies are eating real food, all of their nutrition still comes from formula. If you mix cereal in, you risk either overfeeding, or depriving your baby of all the nutrients they need! Also, using a bottle defeats the purpose of teaching baby to swallow new textures and eat from a spoon. Your baby can also choke or even get pneumonia. Give your four month old a four to six ounce bottle first, then mix cereal in a bowl with formula to an oatmeal like consistency.

In addition, giving cereal to help a baby sleep may seem to work, but is just a myth. Studies show babies given cereal in bottles slept through the night at the same age as babies who were not. Keep in mind some babies do so at around two months, but most won't until four to six months (or later). Their stomachs must hold enough food for the night, and their nervous systems must be developed.

Remember-women used to smoke and drink during pregnancy, and used whiskey for teething before research refuted.

Kristen Docimo