Rice Cereal

I am just wandering when it is safe to introduce Rice Cereal to my son... I have been told different things by different people. I have also heard that it will help my son sleep through the night. What is everyones oppinion on this?

Also for future refrence since my son is on Prosobee Lipil. Is that going to change how to mix the cereal. I know you use the formula to mix the rice cereal with so I dont think it will change the preperation of it... This may sound stupid but I was just wandering

[New Mommy 2 Be 2007]

oh please dont give him rice give him oatmel everyone i know who gives them rice a lot gets them conspited i never give my son rice i gave it to him twice and he was messed up i always give oatmel it will help him if hes 4 months of age give him oatmel

[KStarr07]

I've wondered this myself Linz!!! I keep getting different opinions on the subject. Many suggest it, but I'm very hesitant and have not tried it. He has a super-sensitive stomach as it is that I'm leery. Please let me know if you try it, and what happens. My son is on the same formula, as well. He has his days and nights mixed up so I thought of introducing it once a night a few times a week to ease him into a pattern but I'm unsure. I was going to ask the same thing. Hah.

[mami1323]

I introduced Oatmeal instead of rice because of constipation and I did this at 6 months.  Your pediatrician will tell you when to start.  They usually say from 4-6 months but my pediatrician wasn't having it until my ds was at least 6 months of age.

[JOYJOY123]

I am one of those mommies that swears by rice cereal!! i started giving my son cereal only in his night time bottle at 4 weeks old because he never seemed to get full. at 6 weeks he was completely sleeping through the night and i completely credit a full tummy. while doing this i would just give him tummy drops after feeding and he would go to sleep and it did not cause constipation. this is not always the case, but you can always try and see how he reacts!! good luck.

[deanne11]

I introduced oatmeal with my DD at 5.5 months with no problem.

I opted with Rice Cereal at the same age with DS to my dismay.  Awful is not the word....horrific....constipation was something I never experience and the screams of pain to get it out....were the most gut wrenching cries I ever heard from a child.

I quickly switched to oatmeal and never looked back.

If I have anymore children...I will not second guess myself again...sticking with oatmeal

[pertykitty]

please dont give any cereal at this age and NEVER in a bottle. you really need to talk to your ped about it, and hopefully they arent in favor of it.  babies need nutrition from breast milk or formula at this age.  cereal fed at night hasnt been proven to help with sleeping, and really that is just for your convenience anyway right?  babies wake up every few hours to eat in the first few weeks/ months.  starting babies on foods too early can possibly lead to health issues later on in life.  do the right thing and give your baby the best care possible, stick to breast or bottle for the time being.  

[agomez333]

I gave my ds oatmeal cereal at about 4 mths. He seemed to need more than he was getting nursing and the ped said togo ahead. He was growing like a weed and needed more substance. All babies are different, but I agree with not giving it in a bottle. My personal opinion. I know lots of moms who gave cereal in a bottle and had no problem, however I always used a spoon. Its funny at first how they react to it and a bit challenging, but I loved every minute of it!!
My other 2 dd didn't need cereal till about 5-6 mths and again it was oatmeal by spoon. I just never used rice. No particular reason I guess except I love oatmeal so I thought they might like the oats better....
So it really depends on the baby and the mommy....