Baby Doesn't like Cereal

Good grief I can't believe your Doc okayed this at 4 months old.

Just stop. She is not eating it. She is not ready. You must listen to YOUR baby's cues. You already tried for 2 weeks...that is too long.

The standard recommendation according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, is to start solids at 6 months.

What is the rush to get her to eat at this young an age? It REALLY IS NOT NECESSARY. For the 1st year of life...a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition is from breastmilk/formula...NOT solids. This is per my Pediatrician. Concentrate on that.

And besides, a baby's internal organs and digestive system & swallowing reflexes IS STILL DEVELOPING OUTSIDE THE WOMB. Thus, the 6 month time-line to start solids.

Research how to start solids online. But this is too soon. A baby this young needs to rely on breastmilk/formula.

If you are wanting to start cereal already because she wakes a lot... (which some people do), this will not necessarily be the 'golden' answer. Doing this can even cause digestive problems in a child, allergies, and reflux, and just make them even worse.

I would really hold off on this. You cannot "make" a baby eat...unless they are ready. A lot of things goes into eating... their gag reflex, their swallowing/mouth/muscular coordination, their digestive system, their esophagus, etc. EVEN their 'taste buds' are STILL developing... and will continue to develop even at 1-2 years old. A baby does not come fully equipped to handle everything yet. It is not just about 'eating' a feast.

All the best,
Susan

So strange that your pediatrician said to introduce food so early. The standard is to wait at least till they are 6 months old...or longer. My son was exclusively breastfed for 12 months and I introduced food when he had enough teeth to chew and the desire to eat. He's as healthy as a horse.

Your baby is simply too young to eat solids and is telling you so by spitting it out. Follow your baby's cues. She'll let you know when she's ready for food by trying to grab it from you and stick it in her mouth. These little people are very good at communicating their needs.

Good luck!

It sounds like she's just not ready...my son didn't show an interest in cereal until he was about 5.5 months old.

What I did do was introduce it in the morning after our morning breastfeeding, and just a few teaspoons to taste. Nothing special and not a lot, because at this point infants bellies are just not ready for that much yet. And, if she is refusing then she knows she's not ready for it.

Start introducing, and then move up gradually...add a feeding every couple of weeks. So, do breakfast for a couple weeks then add lunch, then two weeks later add dinner...infants aren't ready for full meals until much later.

Wait a couple more weeks and try again, but don't despair, infants know what they need and are ready for and tell us in their own ways.

Just remember that breastmilk (or formula) are the main source of an infants nutrition for the first year of life.

This link was a lifesaver for me when we started introducing foods...

http://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-y...

Hi C.:
I'm a bit surprised that your Dr gave you the go ahead on introducing your baby girl to cereal. Some mothers here will suggest they gave their babies cereal mixed in their formula. Bad idea. First, its harder for them to digest,and theres a chance they may choke,and second, when they are ready to begin cereal,they need to learn the difference between eating from a spoon and drinking. Most Drs. don't suggest starting them on cereal ,till they are about 5 or 6 months old. The main reason for that, is its still difficult for their little stomachs to digest. I would give her a little more time, and when you do start her on the cereal,mix a few teaspoons of 1st year fruit with it,so she enjoys the taste. Have you tasted that stuff? lol. Its like trying to eat oatmeal with no sugar!!yuck and double yuck !!The best to you and your darlin baby girl. J. M

shes probably just not ready for it. you can put a little in her forluma (if shes not breastfed only with no bottle). try again in a few weeks. also maybe try the oatmeal (plain) or a different cereal. good luck!

My son never liked cereal all by itself. I used to mix it with some formula and would sometimes add in a bit of VERY diluted apple juice. That hint of sweetness made him gobble it right up. You can also mix it with baby food. I'd try the sweet ones first, sweet potatoes were my sons favorite. Each child is different in what they need and will eat. My son started with rice cereal and baby oatmeal at 4 months. Remember that the cereal is a whole new experience for Mia.

she might not be ready, but when you try again, try different consistencies, what you mix with, and temperature.

My daughter started around 5 months and liked it best mixed w/ breastmilk. Start making it pretty thin and runny, and she can drink it from the spoon, then gradually thicken it up as she gets older. I also mixed with room temperature tap water until she got bored of that... After a year, I mixed with milk. I also mix with pured pears, applesauce, or yogurt.

Have fun... I hope you are taking pictures of the milestone!