in what order do i introduce cereal to my baby?

[landscaper07]

I'm not quite sure what order to introduce rice cereal to my baby. she is bottled fed, and i'm not sure to give her cereal first, then a bottle. or a bottle first then cereal etc....
i tried giving her a bottle first then trying cereal, but after her bottle she's full so she has no interest in the cereal. but if i give her the cereal first she eats it all then eats less of her bottle. which probably isn't good i know b/c she's supposed to be getting all her nutrition from her formula, not cereal...
so i'm confused about how to give it to her.
any tips/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[Dee]

Bottle first. You don't want her to lessen the amount of formula she is drinking at all. Formula is still her main source of nutrition, with solids just for practice and always after a full bottle so she does not get full on the cereal.

So give her the bottle, as much as she wants. Within an hour of the bottles, maybe 15 minutes or so, offer the cereal/other solid food. She shouldnt take more than a tablespoon or so. Do this once a day at 6 months, twice a day at 7 months and she should be on some finger foods and 3 meals a day by 8-9 months.

 

[ramonefaq]

add alittle to her bottle and gradully change over she'll take the transistion better than a quick back and forth method

 

[crunchy hannah]

how old is she? if she's still drinking a full bottle and isn't full after, she might not be ready for solids. we started at 5.5 months when my son was going through a growth spurt (it's a good time to wait until) -- instead of trying to drink a lot more, we'd nurse and then I'd do food right after. he was still hungry because my supply wasn't build up as much and he'd readily take the solids.

 

[Mitch G]

Despite what your mother or grandmother tells you, your baby will probably not sleep through the night if you give him cereal before he is developmentally ready. Introduce cereal when your baby is 4 to 6 months of age. Your baby should be able to sit with support and hold his head up. He should also show a desire for food by opening his mouth and leaning forward or turn his head away to show he is full.

* Start with rice cereal as babies are least often allergic to it. You can try oatmeal and barley later.
* Choose a time when you and your baby are well rested and comfortable.
* Feed a small amount of breast milk or formula before offering the cereal.
* Mix about one tablespoon cereal into a bowl and add about two tablespoons breast milk or formula to the cereal. Mix well. Feed with a small spoon.
* Never put cereal into a bottle. The cereal can clog the nipple and cause your baby to suck in a lot of air.
* Do not use a cereal feeder for cereal or baby food. The bottles encourage a baby to eat too much solid food before they realize they are full.
* Offer cereal 1-2 times daily.
* Start with a very thin mixture of cereal and liquid. Gradually thicken it as your baby learns to eat with a spoon.

Remember: Your baby should get most of his nourishment from your breast milk or formula. Solid food at this age should be in small amounts about 1-2 tablespoons. Too much solid food will reduce a baby�s appetite for breast milk or formula and can quickly result in an iron deficiency.

Hope i helped