Why Are Parents So Against?

[Unregistered]

Why are parents so against rice and oatmeal baby cereals? It seems the last few infants I have had their parent were really against rice cereals for their baby. I also have one who wants to bring her own homemade baby food but I am on the food program and I have to supply all food.

What is the big deal on baby cereals?? I always start my infants out on cereal and then when ready move to veggies fruits are always last.

[Miss A]

I have always wondered the same thing. I have always started babies on cereals, and transitioned them to cereals with a little sweetness of flavor with a small juice additive before starting foods. And, what I really struggle with is parents who won't feed their child a certain food "because they made a face when they tried the first bite". It is my experience that you keep serving the food just to acclimate baby to the flavor.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I am not against cereal for babies, but I really don't think it is necessary, so I don't use it either. For me, it is filler food, so I want them to get their nutrition from the BM or formula, rather than from the cereal. I don't do pureed veg/fruit, though, either. Once they are ready, they get little pieces of soft foods that I will either hand feed them or let them self feed, depending on ability and it is usually not till around 10 months or so.

[midaycare]

Totally depends on the parent over here. One baby was BM only and fed "by the book", only introducing foods the week the doctor said to.

My most recent baby (almost one year now), started feeding dcg regular food at 6 months. Never bought baby food or made it. She was also formula fed and they started milk a few weeks before her first bday.

Both families are awesome.

[midaycare]

Maybe I should try sticking to the topic

One of my families fed rice cereal when the doctor told them to, the other one could have cared less and concentrated more on real foods.

[Leigh]

I know that there are concerns about arsenic levels in rice, but I use oatmeal cereal, anyway, because babies seem to prefer it. There are nutritional benefits to the cereal-most importantly iron, but also B vitamins, Vitamin E, and zinc. Also, it's a good way for babies to practice for "real" food. It should never replace milk, but I use it with babies-I haven't yet encountered a parent who was resistant to using it, but have seen several who wanted to start it way too early.

[Thriftylady]

I haven't had any that were resistant to it I guess. But I haven't had an infant in years. I do think commercial baby foods and "baby food" in general is over rated. DD hardly ate any she wanted table food!

[Controlled Chaos]

It didn't do rice cereal with my 3rd. Just soft table food as she was interested and able from about 6m. Babies don't really NEED rice cereal. If parents offer to bring their own baby food I tell them I will make it myself. I can make enough for a month during one nap. I don't mind. I attract the kind of parent you is into baby lead weaning, cloth diapers and messy free play If you don't agree with the philosophy or it is a food program issue (I am on the food program too so I get it) I would screen better during interviews to find parents on board with your infant feeding preferences.

[LysesKids]

It didn't do rice cereal with my 3rd. Just soft table food as she was interested and able from about 6m. Babies don't really NEED rice cereal. If parents offer to bring their own baby food I tell them I will make it myself. I can make enough for a month during one nap. I don't mind. I attract the kind of parent you is into baby lead weaning, cloth diapers and messy free play If you don't agree with the philosophy or it is a food program issue (I am on the food program too so I get it) I would screen better during interviews to find parents on board with your infant feeding preferences.

This is me... child led weaning & no baby cereal. We start out with sweet potatoes and avocado as first first & if cereal is done, it's real oatmeal with mushed fresh fruit. I'm not on the food program, but when I was my lady had no problem with my meals... here in TN we have to offer small pieces of soft foods once a child is at the table ( it's actually in the regs for them to try and feed themselves)

[rosieteddy]

In 30 yrs I have never had a parent not want cereal.Especially the breast fed babies.They need the iron in the cereal.Most of my babies started with rice and a few with oatmeal.I always gave bottle first then solids.In my program I did not include infants under 12 months in food program.Parent sent bottles (3) ready to feed and whatever food for the day.I did buy a parent approved cereal just in case.Once they were 12 months I provided everything and they wer put on food program.In the later years I did not stay on food program and just claimed meals I provided.

[LysesKids]

In 30 yrs I have never had a parent not want cereal.Especially the breast fed babies.They need the iron in the cereal.Most of my babies started with rice and a few with oatmeal.I always gave bottle first then solids.In my program I did not include infants under 12 months in food program.Parent sent bottles (3) ready to feed and whatever food for the day.I did buy a parent approved cereal just in case.Once they were 12 months I provided everything and they wer put on food program.In the later years I did not stay on food program and just claimed meals I provided.

I am infants only under 18 months ... none of babies had issues with iron and ALL except one in the last 3 years have been breastfed exclusively until 6 months

[rosieteddy]

I had 3 infants with iron deficiency.Two from same mom and one other. Maybe it was a problem with the mom? Dr did recommend iron fortified infant cereal and iron drops. Also it was recommended on the government food site.This was in the last 5 years.

[Blackcat31]

I avoid ANY baby cereal at all costs.

Despite what your pediatrician or WIC recommends babies have trouble digesting grains.

In order to digest grains, your body needs to make use of an enzyme called amylase. Amylase is the enzyme responsible for splitting starches. Babies don’t make amylase in large enough quantities to digest grains until after they are a year old at the earliest. Sometimes it can take up to two years. Newborns don’t produce amylase at all. Salivary amylase makes a small appearance at about 6 months old, but pancreatic amylase (what you need to actually digest grains) is not produced until molar teeth are fully developed! First molars usually don’t show up until 13-19 months old, on average.

Undigested grains wreak havoc on your baby’s intestinal lining. It can throw off the balance of bacteria in their gut and lead to lots of complications as they age including: food allergies, behavioral problems, mood issues, and more.

(read more here: http://www.foodrenegade.com/why-ditch-infant-cereals/)

The food program recommends infant cereal because like the dairy industry....money talks.

[Ariana]

^^^ all of what BC said! I never did cereal with my kids until they were a bit older...maybe 9 months. Even then I would mash it with banana to get amylase into it. Apparently banana has natural amylase in it so it helps to digest it better.

[Leigh]

I avoid ANY baby cereal at all costs.

Despite what your pediatrician or WIC recommends babies have trouble digesting grains.

In order to digest grains, your body needs to make use of an enzyme called amylase. Amylase is the enzyme responsible for splitting starches. Babies don’t make amylase in large enough quantities to digest grains until after they are a year old at the earliest. Sometimes it can take up to two years. Newborns don’t produce amylase at all. Salivary amylase makes a small appearance at about 6 months old, but pancreatic amylase (what you need to actually digest grains) is not produced until molar teeth are fully developed! First molars usually don’t show up until 13-19 months old, on average.

Undigested grains wreak havoc on your baby’s intestinal lining. It can throw off the balance of bacteria in their gut and lead to lots of complications as they age including: food allergies, behavioral problems, mood issues, and more.

(read more here: http://www.foodrenegade.com/why-ditch-infant-cereals/)

The food program recommends infant cereal because like the dairy industry....money talks.

I had one that couldn't tolerate cereal because of the lack of amylase (according to her doctor). However, she was switched to Happy Bellies brand, and was able to tolerate that. Perhaps it has hydrolyzed proteins? I don't know. It worked for her, though, so I use it for all the babies now.