starting solids

I have started trying to give my boys rice cereal. It's been about 5 days now. They still don't like it or want anything to do with it. I try to make it fun, sing to them, get them to laugh and feed them when their mouths are wide open but they just don't seem to be taking a liking to it. I know everyone told me not to freak out if they don't take it at first but how long should i expect this to go on? I thought they'd at least start taking *some* amount soon.

when i feed them, they quickly start whining ... not full out cry but i can tell they're not happy. that's why i started trying to sing their favourite songs and such.

any advice? what did you do to get your kiddies to start eating? how long before they actually started eating the stuff?

thanks!
arda

 

My girls took to eating right away, but my doctor offered some advice if they didn't. She said if they have no interest at first to stop and try again a week later.

Also, while my girls liked rice cereal, they LOVE veggies!!! We gave them sweet potatoes after a week of rice and they went nuts for it! Now they've had sweet potatoes, carrots, and last night for the first time green beans. I didn't know if they would like the beans since its not as sweet as the other two, but after a few spoonfuls, they were on board!

The other thing we do is put a little on the tray or on their hand so they can try feeding themselves. Yes its messy, but they think its fun.

Good luck! -Leighann

 

My babies took it the 1st time and have bucked it ever since that. Have you tasted it? It is pretty yucky, I just started with veggies and then fruits one by one and don't bother with it, they just spit it out, now that we are into Stage 2's they LOVE the wet BNut breakfast cereal with fruit and yogurt. The Oatmeal tastes even worse...

 

Hi Arda. When do you give them the cereal? My guys were furious if I tried to give it to them when they were actually hungry so I gave it to them between bottles, when they weren't totally full but definitely not hungry. I also gave it to them at their most cheerful time of day - after their first morning nap. Those things really helped me.

Some breastfed babies don't like cereal because it's so bland compared to the sweet taste of their mother's milk. A lot of breastfeeding mums start with bananas instead.

BTW: I tried to give my guys cereal at 4.5 months and they hated it. I tried again 3 weeks later and it was love at first bite. If it's stressing you out you could put the food away and try again in 2 weeks.

 

My girls hated rice cereal! I thought they hated all solids until I gave them sweet potatoes! They lvoe them! And green beans and squash. Maybe they just hate the rice. I sure did (did you try it?) Or maybe they aren't ready and you need to try again in a week or so.

Good Luck.

 

My kids all hated plain cereal. So it could just be that. I would try mixing a little fruit into it. I would try different consistencies too. If you have tried all of that, and they still aren't taking to it...go ahead and take a break for a bit!

 

Wait two weeks and try again. They don't need it for nutrition yet, it is just for practice with the spoon.
We have hilarious pictures of them absolutely HATING it the first time ("Get it away from me! Yuck!!!!")
It is perfectly fine to wait until they are ready. I just tried a week or so later, eventually they were interested, especially after they had seen me eat a yoghurt or cereal with a spoon every morning for a week. They were exactly 6 months when they started to cooperate.

Rice cereal is very bland, we did for a full week when they started eating, then switched to oatmeal, fruit and veggies, trying one at a time for 3 or 4 days to spot allergies. Mine love carrots.

 

My boys dont care for plain cereal, I have to add bananas to it or use the jar kind. They have actually just started getting into solids. When I started I tried a couple days then gave it a break then tried again. My girls took solids right off but the boys are so stubborn. Keep trying and they will catch on when they are ready.

 

We started rice cereal at 4 months, and the kids took a long time to really eat it. I would say probably 2 or 2.5 weeks of it before they really starting eating it. Definitely not in the first 5 days. Don't stress ... just keep it up and they will eventually get the hand of it ...

 

I would agree with PP advice that if they don't seem to like it, try again in a week. Also, as PP suggested, try mixing the rice cereal with fruits or veggies. I have been giving the boys solids for about a month now and while William absolutely devours it, mouth open, can't eat it fast enough, David looks like you are trying to poison him, purses his lips and has little interest. I don't force it on David, figure he'll eat it when he's ready.

 

We tried it at 4 months at pedis advice and neither of them cared for it. I waited a couple of weeks and tried oatmeal and they are doing better with it. DS does better than DD but they will open their mouth for the spoon. I have heard that you should try any food for 4-5 days before mixing it with something else so you know if there is a reaction what the reaction is to. So maybe after you try it for 4-5 days you could add something sweet to it?