How to Add Cereal to a Baby Bottle
Cereal in baby bottles is a controversial subject as parents and doctors sometimes disagree about whether it is a good idea. In the case of some medical conditions such as reflux, however, a pediatrician might suggest adding the cereal. Parents should study the information available and make an informed choice when deciding whether to add cereal to a baby bottle. Always consult your pediatrician before introducing new foods to your child. If the physician approves, the process is fairly simple.
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Things You'll Need
- Physician appointment
- Baby bottle
- Fast flow nipple
- Breast milk or formula
- Baby cereal
Instructions
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Make an appointment with your physician and discuss the pros and cons of adding cereal to a bottle. If your physician suggests or approves the idea, ask about proper amounts and the best type of cereal to introduce for the situation. Rice cereal is the most common first choice because its easiest to digest. If the rice cereal doesn't settle well, your physician might suggest oatmeal. The cereal helps keep the formula down in babies who suffer from reflux. Gerber and Beech Nut make both types of cereal.
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Use a fast flow nipple on the bottle that will contain the cereal. Slower flow nipples will clog. Resist the urge to cut a larger hole in the nipple as this can cause a choking hazard.
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Prepare the bottle as usual, adding breast milk or formula, and then add in the appropriate cereal per your physician's recommendation. Shake the bottle to mix the cereal. Make sure the cereal is completely combined and that no large chunks are present.
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Offer the bottle to your baby as usual. Make sure to watch for choking and for signs that the breast milk or formula is coming out too fast. If you have any concerns, call your physician for further advice.
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Tips & Warnings
Use caution when choosing the nipple for the baby's cereal bottle. If the nipple has too large an opening, the baby can choke.
