Guest guest Posted February 14, 2003 Report Share Posted February 14, 2003 We are about to start our 4 month old on her first solid food. It has been recommended that we start with rice cereal mixed with breast milk. We will then slowly introduce vegetables, fruits and other grains leaving common allergens (nuts, strawberries, wheat, etc) until after her first birthday. My question is - has anyone made their own infant cereals? We are going to try to give our daughter only organic, non GMO foods for as long as possible. We can get an organic infant rice cereal at the market, but I'd just as soon make my own if that's possible. Anyone ever done it? Also, iron-fortified cereals are often recommended (as infants have depleted the stores of iron they are born with by 3-4 months). Any opinions on whether it's better to have a home-made non-fortified cereal with a supplement of vitamin drops or a commercially made iron enriched cereal? Thanks, Jeanne Wishengrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 Hi Jeanne, I am wondering why you want to start your infant on cereal so early, especially when she is gaining the benefits of breastmilk. Pediatricians vary on their recommendations, but I do not see why it is necessary to start so early (I am not a doctor, but a mother of a 7 month old who has not yet begun solids). As for iron concerns, see this article http://www.parentsplace.com/expert/nutritionist/qas/0,10338,240025_105256,00.htm\ l which discusses the bioavailability of iron in breastmilk (I just found that quickly - there are probably many more complete resources on the web - try www.lalecheleague.org). Dr. Sears recommends waiting until at least 6 months to begin solids and there are several biophysical reasons to do so. http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/t032000.asp Unfortunately I can't help you with the specific question you asked about making your own cereal, but I recommend reading some of the above articles or other similar articles before beginning your baby on solids. In case you are wondering, when I was a baby I didn't begin any solid foods until I was 10 1/2 months old, fed solely on breastmilk until that point, and in that time I tripled my birthweight and had sufficient iron. If you do choose to begin solids now, I hope you are able to find what you are looking for! Good luck! Melinda - Jeanne Wishengrad Friday, February 14, 2003 10:30 AM infant cereals We are about to start our 4 month old on her first solid food. It has been recommended that we start with rice cereal mixed with breast milk. We will then slowly introduce vegetables, fruits and other grains leaving common allergens (nuts, strawberries, wheat, etc) until after her first birthday. My question is - has anyone made their own infant cereals? We are going to try to give our daughter only organic, non GMO foods for as long as possible. We can get an organic infant rice cereal at the market, but I'd just as soon make my own if that's possible. Anyone ever done it? Also, iron-fortified cereals are often recommended (as infants have depleted the stores of iron they are born with by 3-4 months). Any opinions on whether it's better to have a home-made non-fortified cereal with a supplement of vitamin drops or a commercially made iron enriched cereal? Thanks, Jeanne Wishengrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2003 Report Share Posted February 19, 2003 Just a side note. Two other great first foods are mashed bananas and mashed avocado (organic of course). My daughters love(d) both! Stephanie - Jeanne Wishengrad Friday, February 14, 2003 10:30 AM infant cereals We are about to start our 4 month old on her first solid food. It has been recommended that we start with rice cereal mixed with breast milk. We will then slowly introduce vegetables, fruits and other grains leaving common allergens (nuts, strawberries, wheat, etc) until after her first birthday. My question is - has anyone made their own infant cereals? We are going to try to give our daughter only organic, non GMO foods for as long as possible. We can get an organic infant rice cereal at the market, but I'd just as soon make my own if that's possible. Anyone ever done it? Also, iron-fortified cereals are often recommended (as infants have depleted the stores of iron they are born with by 3-4 months). Any opinions on whether it's better to have a home-made non-fortified cereal with a supplement of vitamin drops or a commercially made iron enriched cereal? Thanks, Jeanne Wishengrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2003 Report Share Posted February 20, 2003 --- Jeanne Wishengrad <jeannewish wrote: > We are about to start our 4 month old on her first > solid food. This is still a bit early to start any kind of solids. Wait till your baby is completely able to sit up on her own and pick at her own cereal from a bowl. I know this is probably your first so you are so excited to start them on their first foods, but if you are still at home with her and breastfeeding just let her nurse, nurse, nurse =) It's much better for her and for you. Heather Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2003 Report Share Posted February 20, 2003 --- Joynsen <joynsen wrote: > Just a side note. Two other great first foods are > mashed bananas and mashed avocado (organic of > course). My daughters love(d) both! > Stephanie I thought avocado would be great as well. But, in line at Quizno's a few weeks back there was a woman there who was deathly allergic to avocado. I have since met others who are as well. So, I would say wait till at least a year for that one, too. Heather Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2003 Report Share Posted February 20, 2003 I read somewhere (forget where) that as long as a baby is only being breastfed that no iron supplements are needed but as soon as other foods are started it inhibits the babies ability to absorb as much iron. However, that does not necessarily mean that supplements are needed but its something to start keeping an eye on at that point. Also, I havent made infant cereal personally but I know some others who have. I will see if I can get a recipe. , " Melinda Rothstein " <melinda@s...> wrote: > Hi Jeanne, > We can get an organic infant rice cereal at the market, but I'd just as soon make my own if that's possible. Anyone ever done it? Also, iron-fortified cereals are often recommended (as infants have depleted the stores of iron they are born with by 3-4 months). Any opinions on whether it's better to have a home-made non-fortified cereal with a supplement of vitamin drops or a commercially made iron enriched cereal? > > Thanks, Jeanne Wishengrad > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2003 Report Share Posted February 20, 2003 I agree with Heather, 4 months is a bit young. Of course every child is different. Both my daughters were sitting by 4 months and both had 4 teeth respectively. They also started mooching our food at 4 months. I think it was more out of curiosity than physical need so we would give them just a teeny bit of mashed banana or rice cereal when we ate so they would feel they were participating. When we tried to deny them at first they both pitched quite a fit so giving them a bit of food at mealtime was to keep the meal civilized. We felt no need to feed them at other times and we gave them as little as we could get away with. As for the iron, my oldest nursed until she was 2 and my 14 month old is still going strong. I think it was Marvelyn who said that breast milk is their perfect food and it truly truly is. Stephanie - Heather Lee Lewis Thursday, February 20, 2003 10:09 AM Re: infant cereals --- Jeanne Wishengrad <jeannewish wrote: > We are about to start our 4 month old on her first > solid food. This is still a bit early to start any kind of solids. Wait till your baby is completely able to sit up on her own and pick at her own cereal from a bowl. I know this is probably your first so you are so excited to start them on their first foods, but if you are still at home with her and breastfeeding just let her nurse, nurse, nurse =) It's much better for her and for you. Heather Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.