Another solids question re. cereal

DD really likes her solids but prefers the veggies to the cereal. So far she has had sweet pots., squash, sweet peas, and green beans. I try to offer cereal mixed in with the veggies but she really prefers the veggies plain. She is 5 months and 3 weeks old and I only offer her half a stage one container but I know she would eat the entire one if I offered it to her. We only do one meal. This immediatly follows her last nap and is consisting of half a container of veggie and some rice cereal (which she really doesn't eat unless in the same bite as a veggie and even then she is not happy about it). Her brother really isn't eating anything yet. I try every once and a while and it usually goes well for a day or two and then he startes pursing his lips and getting mad so I stop for a couple of weeks.

My question is, is there any real reason to continue with the cereal or can I just go ahead and offer her the entire veggie or maybe half a veggie and half a fruit with no cereal? Will I eventually have to offer cereal with a fruit in the morning? If so, should I try the oatmeal - I have heard it tastes better but my DD is very gassy by nature and I am afraid the added fiber won't help things KWIM?

Also, am I doing the right thing to go ahead with her and give her brother a little more time?


Thanks,
Amy

 

Hi Amy - Here's what I'm doing right now. We offer solids two times a day (one is at daycare though during the work week). I usually mix up a entire Stage 1 container of fruit or vegetables with rice cereal or oatmeal cereal (for some reason I always mix veggies with rice and fruits with oatmeal because I think that's how we would eat them, right?). I think by the time I mix in the cereal, it's probably equivalent in volume to two containers of food. Mine polish it right off, and it has not affected the formula intake.

If she really doesn't care for the rice cereal, I would try a different kind like the oatmeal. If that still isn't working out, then don't worry about it. They are getting plenty of iron in their formula. At this age, the solids are still not nearly as important as their formula.

Also, I think if she is acting hungry for more, then I would go ahead and give her more! If you notice a drastic decrease in her formula intake, you can always revisit your decision!

If Jack doesn't seem ready, and he's doing fine on his formula, I think you are absolutely doing the right thing! He'll get it eventually. I knew Henry was ready when he literally freaked out everytime we ate in front of him!!

Good Luck! Suzi

Edited for grammar

 

I would say give him as much time as he needs. I have also been wondering about the cereal thing. We do oatmeal cereal, but I am pretty sure they could care less, but they really don't care that much for the food either. They really only like bananas & applesauce & squash. Hope you get some good replies.

Missy

 

This may be a silly question, but, when you mix the rice cereal with the fruit and veggie do you mix the cereal with formula or water first and then mix that with the fruit and veggie or do you literally mix the dry cereal right into the fruit or veggie?

Thanks,
Amy

 

I mix their cereal with formula or breastmilk and then add the fruits or veggies. Mine really don't like it unless it is mixed with something other than water. They actually gag if I mix it with water (they are totally overly dramatic). As far as Jack goes he'll start when he's ready, I had to try several times with my boys. They didn't really start eating more than a couple bites until they were about the same age as yours. As long as the food isn't interfering with how much formula DD wants I would just gradually increase what you give to her or she will let you know when she doesn't want anymore. This is all pretty confusing to me so hopefully you get some good answers.

 

QUOTE(ahmerl @ Nov 20 2007, 05:12 PM) [snapback]503445[/snapback]
DD really likes her solids but prefers the veggies to the cereal. So far she has had sweet pots., squash, sweet peas, and green beans. I try to offer cereal mixed in with the veggies but she really prefers the veggies plain. She is 5 months and 3 weeks old and I only offer her half a stage one container but I know she would eat the entire one if I offered it to her. We only do one meal. This immediatly follows her last nap and is consisting of half a container of veggie and some rice cereal (which she really doesn't eat unless in the same bite as a veggie and even then she is not happy about it). Her brother really isn't eating anything yet. I try every once and a while and it usually goes well for a day or two and then he startes pursing his lips and getting mad so I stop for a couple of weeks.

My question is, is there any real reason to continue with the cereal or can I just go ahead and offer her the entire veggie or maybe half a veggie and half a fruit with no cereal? Will I eventually have to offer cereal with a fruit in the morning? If so, should I try the oatmeal - I have heard it tastes better but my DD is very gassy by nature and I am afraid the added fiber won't help things KWIM?

Also, am I doing the right thing to go ahead with her and give her brother a little more time?
Thanks,
Amy


Is there a reason you wont let her eat the whole container if she wants it?? How about mixing in a tiny amount of cereal and working up from there. The cereal will give her some good iron but if you are FF she wont need it. I like mixing in the cerel because it gives nice consistency to help with feeding. I think you can also switch to oatmeal and give that a try. Just make sure you do the 4 day wait if you introduce a new food.

Keep giving your boy opportunity to learn to eat. This is just practice at this age. He will one day give in and go for it

 

I mix in the cereal for consistency too. It's too runny & messy if I don't! I've always mixed the cereal with a little bit of water and then with the veggies or fruit.

 

Sorry to be so remedial in this department. How much cereal per fruit/veggie are you adding?

Thanks again!
Amy

 

I honestly don't measure it, I just kinda pour some in a bowl and mix. Sometimes if it looks like too much, I end up throwing some out before I add the food. I just "eyeball" it, and I'd guess it's about 4 tablespons of cereal maybe.

I have the small gerber plastic bowls, and I'd say they are a bit over half full when I have the cereal and veggies mixed together. And I'm feeding both kids off that bowl. There have been a few times I've given them a 2nd container of food. My son in particular lets you know that he wants more by grunting and pounding on his tray!! I don't do that before their bedtime feed though because I want to make sure he takes his full bottle before bed!

Suzi