About introducing cereal...

OK MOMS,

So what did you do to introduce cereal...

Yesterday we gave him some with the spoon, and since it was being wasted, I put some in the bottle and he guzzled it down.

Did you do both spoon and bottle ? How often with each ? and how much cereal ? I do want him to get used to a spoon and not want a bottle all his life !

I was told a tablespoon per day to start. So Im putting it in the bottle, and doing the spoon twice a day to start...(one tbpsn total) and see how he does...

I never put the cereal in Paul's bottle...I don't know why. The doctor just told me to spoon feed it, so I did. But, I know alot of people who did put the cereal in the bottle. Actually, you might find the cereal in the bottle thing more difficult once you move onto Barley and Oatmeal, since they are not as smooth when mixed w/formula or breastmilk.

It can be a little bit frustrating at first b/c they are not used to the spoon, and their little tongues don't know what to do with the cereal once it's in their mouths. Just keep trying everyday at the same time (routine is important), and eventually he will get the hang of it.

Did your doc say that you can move onto the other grains in a few days time? Just allow a day or two in between, to watch for a reaction. Have fun and take lots of pictures and notes about how he reacted to each new taste/texture!

Hi Anna-

My ped said to start Luke on cereal from the spoon. He was into it the first time but after that he doesn't seem to like it. I have occasionally put it in the bottle but just like John Anthony, he guzzled it down and I am afraid of him getting gassy from that. The ped said it will take a little time to get him use to the spoon so to keep doing it even if only half goes in the mouth. I'm sre the BTDT Moms have more experienced input to post though.

Hey anna..
My ped also had wanted me to start billy with cerial from the spoon.
I would make the tiniest bit for him and then if he ate it all.. I would make more,, that way I wasnt wasteing anything.
The spoon thing just took some time to master, but we had a fun messy time practicing..
;-)

Thanks for the info Ladies.
Claud-the Dr. Said to give him either rice, barley or oatmeal. we started with the rice, and we'll use that till the huge box is finished, and then the oatmeal.
I'll be continuing with the spoon, especially cuz its so fun to watch him $uck his lip !! LOL.
and in 2 weeks time, I should be starting him on veggies !

I think someone asked this already, but im not sure what thread it was. How long do you feed 'stage 1' of gerber ? I dont wanna buy too many jars of it.

Anna, you're too cute...be careful about just giving JA rice cereal for weeks until you finish that box...you might want to rotate the barley and oatmeal into his diet b/c the rice may become too binding for his system, and you don't want that! See how he is the first week...also, as he gets used to the cereal, you'll gradually start offering him more than just a tablespoon a day. I started off with 2 tablespoons per day, b/c my doc said to feed him cereal twice a day (morning and night) and then whenever you introduce a new solid, offer it for the first time during lunch.

Regarding fruits and veggies...you'll be buying Stage 1 for awhile, until JA trys all the varieties and doesn't have reactions to them. My doctor told me to start with applesauce, pears, bananas and peaches (in that order). Then only yellow veggies...squash, carrots, sweet potatoes...then, green veggies like green beans and peas (but peas only in moderation b/c they are gassy).

We fed Paul Stage 1 foods for about 2 months.