Baby cereal

Annie82 · #1 (**permalink**) 31-12-10, 15:39

Im probably being daft but im not sure what cereal i can give my 5 month old? I have been weaning him for two weeks now and he has not refused anything i give him. But so far i have just been giving him sweet potato, pears, apples etc but i want to start introducing 'meals'. Can i give him porridge?

DrP · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-11, 18:59

It's great that your baby has loved his food so far but he's still quite young and at this stage milk is still his most important source of nutrition. I wouldn't be rushing to introduce too many new things so quickly - you're only 2 weeks in and you need to give his system time to gradually get used to all these new foods. Fruit and veg are every bit as good as a meal as anything else at this stage.

When I was eaning my LO I stuck to fruit and veg for at least a month - getting him gradually used to lots of different flavours on their own and then as mixes. After that I introduced readybrek, weetabix or porridge for breakfast. To the best of my knowledge the general guideline with cereals (or anything containg gluten) is that you shouldn't introduce them before 6 months.

hiann · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-11, 00:07

As per DrP! Well done so far!

Gluten containing cereals are really for 6months plus to reduce risk of allergies. Try starting on a packet one first as Plum do some good ones that are ok but really there is no rush!

As another baby weaning site I use say all the time "food is for fun until they are one". Milk is the most calorie dense food they get at this stage and is the most important: you are just introducing them for the next few months to the idea of solids so be prepared for them to take next to nothing at times. Dont forget: most of what you feed them at this stage is fruit and veg... What do you eat if you are on a diet to reduce calories intake... Fruit and veg... so it isnt as if they are getting a lot of cals from their solids until they are older...

GL!

Annie82 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-11, 23:17

Many thanks!I started weening Noah as he kept dropping his feeds and i became worried. He went from feeding every 4 hours, 8oz to maybe feeding every 6 or seven hours and only having 4 or 5oz. I breastfed him up until he was 3 months. I have continued with just basic purees, but added in some porridge or baby rusk. He seems happy enough, and gets really excited with every mouthfull!!I just worry about his milk intake so try and mix in as much formula with his food.

Annie82 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-11, 23:40

...i also meant to say (and now im going to sound really stupid) that he is 23 weeks. Im never sure if you age a baby by weeks or by the month they are born??He was born on 28th July which makes him 23 weeks, but in months he is only just 5........

hiann · #6 (**permalink**) 04-01-11, 20:41

Nah, dont worry abt asking!

I age babies in weeks til probably abt 7 months or so and then just use months as then I dont have to calculate out the weeks in my head or convert the weeks into months! Sheer laziness! Also gives you a point of reference as the baby food categories are meaning 26 weeks when then say 6 months.

hx