https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:03:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1202170 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:58:35 +0000 wheres_c 1202170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would try some fruits or veggies first then go back to rice cereal or meals.<br /> We did bananas, avocados and pureed apples as first foods.</p> <p>We started on meats early on too, so I would just try a few different foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201693 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:56:03 +0000 Rubies 1201693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In most rice cereals, the second listed ingredient is skim milk powder. Your baby might have a dairy intolerance? (My daughter had an allergic reaction and as it turned out, she is allergic to dairy...We found out after giving her rice cereal). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201685 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:54:01 +0000 MsLipGloss 1201685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NurseMommy: Don't worry about the sweeter foods . . . I tried fruits first, buy my LO wasn't having it. She is a veggie girl through and through (sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash are her favorites). And I would probably opt for oatmeal over chicken . . . or even a different kind of protein like pureed black beans, but that's totally your call!</p> <p>Also, what times have you tried solids? If you have just tried before bed/ during her last feeding, have you tried during other times of the day? Your LO may be tired and not interested at the end of the day . . . you may have more success with breakfast/lunch, which would also give her tummy more time to process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201684 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:54:00 +0000 septca 1201684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NurseMommy: There is so much stressful information out there on what not to do when starting solids. Ignore it. Go with your gut.</p> <p>My ped said (if there is no history of allergies), do whatever feels right to *you* - sweet, not sweet, use spices, whole eggs, dairy, etc. - except honey. We started with prunes (super sweet) and oatmeal because that's what my daughter needed. She eats EVERYTHING now, and much prefers whatever I am eating to baby food. Also, keep in mind - breastmilk is really sweet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201678 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:52:58 +0000 looch 1201678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>European peds often recommend beginning with meats as the first foods, so I really think it's a crapshoot when it comes to your individual baby.</p> <p>I began with oatmeal cereal, sweet potatoes and banana. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201662 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:49:46 +0000 NurseMommy 1201662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the replies. She's been showing major interest in our food for about a month now, so I thought we'd give it a try. We started with chicken because our pediatrician recommended either an iron fortified cereal or a protein to start with, as babies iron stores begin to be depleted around six months. I'm also nervous about starting sweeter foods early because I don't want her to only want sweet stuff... Why does this have to be so confusing? She's not constipated... Just had a big poop... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201569 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:31:48 +0000 Ginabean3 1201569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreed, try oatmeal cereal. Also, you don't have to give cereal at all....you can try avocado and banana as first food too! My LO is almost 9 months and I still haven't given her meat yet....still working through a bunch of veggies and fruits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201563 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:30:16 +0000 MsLipGloss 1201563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @MamaMoose:. I would hold off on solids for a bit longer. </p> <p>What indications has your LO given you for solids? Is she interested in food? Are you introducing solids because you think it's time to introduce solids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201561 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:29:28 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1201561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try oatmeal cereal instead. It's less constipating. I would wait on meat for at least a couple of months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201541 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:26:00 +0000 septca 1201541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Starting solids can be so perplexing and frustrating! Obviously you have to do it (you can't bottle-feed a 16 yo), but it's so hard when your baby seems to be having a hard time. My daughter has a very tight gut (this is my ped's term), so has a hard time passing some solids through her digestive system. We avoid giving her BRAT foods (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) because they are constipating and seem to cause her more problems than other foods. Because of this (and arsenic studies), my ped recommended that we skip rice cereal and go straight to baby oatmeal, which is easier to digest and moves easily through those tiny digestive systems. Protein can also be very hard on immature digestive systems, so don't fret. I would recommend starting your baby on something easy to digest and that most babies really like - pears or sweet potatoes would be my suggestions. See how that goes.</p> <p>We also had a hard start to solids, but my 9.5 mo eats like a champ now. Just start slow and take cues from your baby. If she only wants a teaspoon, that seems fairly normal for just starting out. Good luck! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201539 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:24:56 +0000 MamaMoose 1201539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like her digestive system just isn't ready. I think starting with meat was a little aggressive, but rice cereal is pretty easy to digest so if its upsetting her stomach greatly I'd give her more time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-starting-rice-cereal#post-1201491 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:13:12 +0000 NurseMommy 1201491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all,<br /> Long time lurker, first time poster here. Thanks in advance for any advice yo can give me!</p> <p>My daughter is 5 1/2 months. A week ago we decided to try starting solids. I gave her puréed chicken two days in a row, MAYBE a teaspoon each time. She was really fussy those two nights, so I decided to back off for a week and try again. </p> <p>Yesterday I tried rice cereal with her. Again, she had maybe a teaspoon total. We had the WORST. NIGHT. EVER. She was crazy gassy and obviously in a lot of pain. Now the complicating factor is that she also had a fever. Tylenol didn't help, gas drops didn't help. I've heard that gassiness can be a common thing when transitioning to solids, but I'm wondering... Do I keep trying, try only every two days, or back off again for another couple of weeks? I feel so lost with this whole feeding thing!</p> <p>Thanks! </p>