Your infant goes through many developmental changes, especially during his first year. So many of them that it sometimes seems impossible to keep up with, especially for first-time parents who are just learning. Perhaps one of the most important changes your infant will experience is the change in his diet. From formula or breast milk to solids. This is not only an exciting time but one that can cause a bit of concern as well.
Step 1
Watch for signs that she is ready for solid food. The University of Missouri Extension explains that a baby is developmentally ready for cereal when she sits upright with support and is able to hold her head up by herself. MayoClinic.com adds that she also needs to be able to indicate a desire for the food one way or the other, such as opening her mouth when you offer her a spoon---or turning her head away when full.
Step 2
Talk to his pediatrician. KidsHealth.org states that most doctors recommend waiting until your baby is six months old before adding cereal to his diet. Some babies are ready for this change by the age of four months, depending on nutritional needs. For this reason you need to speak to his doctor before giving him any solid foods. Once you receive his approval, purchase a box of rice cereal, as this is the type of cereal most babies have the least allergic reaction to, according to the University of Missouri Extension.
Step 3
Choose the right time of day to try feeding your baby the cereal. Be sure that during the first few attempts to feed your baby cereal, both you and she are comfortable and well rested. This makes it easier, as she may be more willing to accept the food, while you may have more patience to handle her initial resistance, if any.
Step 4
Find the right balance. MayoClinic.com explains that you should mix 1 tbsp. of cereal with 4 to 5 tbsp. of either formula or breast milk, whichever you are currently feeding him. The site adds that once he adjusts to swallowing cereal with a runny consistency, you can begin to make it thicker by reducing the amount of liquid.
Step 5
Keep formula or breast milk as her main nutrition source. The University of Missouri Extension warns that your baby may suffer from an iron deficiency if you make cereal her main source of nourishment. She should receive one to two servings of cereal each day, with a majority of her nutrition coming from either her formula or your breast milk.
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