All parents are excited to introduce to their baby solid food. And some may find it necessary to gradually feed their babies with it as soon as they reach six months. For babies to slowly get used to eating solid, parents find it helpful to use infant cereal. While some want to feed with a spoon, others have it mixed with milk and put it in a baby bottle. So, when can you put cereal in a baby’s bottle?
Putting Cereals in Baby Bottles
Many parents feed their babies with cereals. This is because they believe that it helps babies sleep longer. Thus, it gives mothers extended hours of sleep. And since babies are not yet capable of chewing, parents put cereals into the baby bottles or mixed them with either breastmilk or formula. But it is important to note that sleeping and hunger don’t have a direct connection. Thus, feeding the baby solid food will not make him sleep longer. The babies do not recognize the sense of sleeping and time yet. So, whenever they feel like opening their eyes, they will do so without considering the time. So the practice has nothing to do with keeping the babies sleep longer.
If you are asking, when can you put cereal in a baby’s bottle? You need to consider that the baby’s digestive system is not yet fully developed and can function well when it reaches six months. It would be at that age when a baby can be introduced to solid food, including baby cereals. Mothers mix it with milk and put in the bottle to create a soft food that is easy for easy digestion.
Safety Consideration on Putting Cereals in a Baby Bottle
While most mothers find it convenient to put the cereal in the bottle, instead of spoon-feeding it, experts have reminded the parents to avoid the practice as it might harm your baby. So, when can you put cereal in a baby’s bottle? It is necessary that before doing anything out of the ordinary, you need to consult the expert. Some doctors recommend putting cereals into the baby bottle with specific instructions on how to do it in certain conditions that call for it. Others are not comfortable with it for a few reasons.
Here are a few possible things that will happen to your babies when you add cereals to their bottles:
- Babies might get overfed.
Your baby is used to drinking milk, and their body had adapted the quantity of milk they ingest daily. Adding cereals on the milk will increase the calorie content. So, if your baby is still consuming the same amount of milk, it could result in overfeeding. And constant overfeeding will lead to obesity or overweight. - It could choke the baby.
Milk is purely liquid, and when you add cereals to it, the milk’s texture will become thicker. If your baby hasn’t yet developed the swallowing abilities, consuming it could choke them. That is why you should introduce solid food to your baby at the right time and with the proper procedure. - Lowers intake of necessary nutrients.
When you add cereals into the milk in the bottle, you lessen the amount of milk, to give room for the cereals. You have to remember that the first six months of the baby’s life are crucial, so they needed the nutrients offered by breastmilk or formula milk. These kinds of milk have the right amount of nutrients your baby needs to stay strong and healthy. So, if they are taking less milk, they are consuming a lesser amount of nutrients they need.
Introduce Cereals to Babies
- When your Baby is Ready for Solid Food
When can you put cereal in a baby’s bottle? That would be the time when your baby is ready for solid food. Your baby’s digestive system is not yet fully developed until they reach six months. It might be tempting to give them solid food, but it could cause them harm. When you provide babies with solid food earlier, it could trigger allergies and other health problems. Hence, you need to religiously follow the expert’s instructions and give your baby solid food when and only if they are ready. - Gradually Feed Cereals and Mix with Milk
Instead of adding it to the bottle, you can introduce cereals by adding milk to it. You can try a small amount then gradually increase the quantity. And it should be fed using a spoon unless it is recommended by the doctors to put it into the baby bottle.
Conclusion
It is exciting to see babies eating solid food. That is why most parents try to introduce solid food by mixing cereals into their milk. But when can you put cereal in a baby’s bottle? It is not recommended to do so unless it is suggested or recommended by your baby’s doctor. Thus, you need to feed the baby the proper way, at the right time. It would help if you considered the possible adverse effect. When your baby reaches six months, it is time to start giving him soft food or cereal and mix it with milk. Then slowly introduce him to other food until his body fully accepts solid food. Find out more about baby diet.