Introducing Cereal to Your Baby: Timing & Readiness

Introduce iron-fortified single-grain infant cereal (rice, oat, barley) around 6 months — not before 4 months — when your baby shows all readiness signs:

• Head & neck control: Sits with minimal support, holds head steady.
• Loss of tongue-thrust reflex: No longer automatically pushes food out.
• Interest in food: Watches you eat, reaches, opens mouth for spoon.
• Doubled birth weight (approx.) and ≥13 lbs.

How to Start:

1. Mix 1 tsp cereal with 4–5 tsp breast milk or formula (thin, runny).
2. Offer 1–2 tsp once daily after a milk feed (not in bottle — spoon feeding develops oral skills).
3. Advance thickness/quantity over weeks. Introduce one new food every 3–5 days.
4. Prioritize iron-rich foods (cereal, meats, legumes) — critical at 6 mo when stores deplete.

What to Avoid:

• Adding cereal to bottle — choking risk, overfeeding, dental caries.
• Honey (<1 yr), cow's milk as drink (<1 yr), added salt/sugar.
• High-allergen foods? Current guidance: introduce early (6 mo) (peanut, egg, dairy) to reduce allergy risk — discuss with pediatrician.

Always consult your pediatrician for personalized timing, especially if preterm, reflux, or allergy concerns.