How to prepare & store infant cereal
- Infant cereal is typically the first solid food Supported Sitters try.
- For your baby's first cereal feeding, mix 1 tablespoon of cereal with 4-5 tbsp. breastmilk or infant formula.
- Feed infant cereal using a spoon, never from a bottle, unless instructed by your pediatrician.
- Store cereal in a cool, dry place and use within 30 days after opening.
The first solid food typically introduced to babies at this stage is infant rice cereal, because it’s easy to digest and an excellent source of Iron.
Preparing infant cereal
To begin, mix about 1 tablespoon of infant cereal with 4-5 tbsp. of breastmilk or infant formula. Using breastmilk or formula that your baby is used to will help with a new flavor introduction. Your baby’s first bite of “solids” should be runny—closer to a milk consistency. If she’s okay with that texture, try gradually reducing breastmilk or formula to make the cereal thicker.
Warming infant cereal
Warm prepared cereal at 50% power in a microwave for 15-30 seconds, and then stir to even out the temperature. Remember to always test the temperature before feeding.
Feeding infant cereal
For her first taste of infant cereal, put a dab of it onto her lip with a soft, infant spoon. When you put a little food into her mouth, don’t be surprised if it pops right back out onto her tongue. It’s a natural reflex, and eventually she’ll swallow more than she spits out.
Storing infant cereal
Store your baby’s cereal in a cool, dry place and use within 30 days of opening.
Always feed cereal from a spoon instead of a bottle to help develop her feeding skills unless directed by your pediatrician.
How was the information in this article?