Is it really a good idea to add cereal to your baby's bottle?

As a new mother, you may have heard this advice all the time, "Put some cereal in the baby's bottle to fill his stomach. Then he will not wake up at night and will sleep soundly." This is a very popular opinion among our adults. But is this really good for a baby? What does today's medical science say about this? Let's know this clearly and precisely. Because the health of our little one is the most valuable thing to us.

When is a baby ready for solid foods?

For the first 6 months, a baby's main food is breast milk or formula. This is because babies' digestive systems are not mature enough to digest anything other than milk at this stage. Simply put, their little stomachs can't digest solid foods.

Babies are usually ready to start eating solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. This can vary from baby to baby. So, don't base your decision solely on your baby's age. There are several signs that your baby is ready for solid foods.

Why is it dangerous to put cereal in a milk bottle?

Many parents choose cereals like rice flour, oatmeal, or barley as their baby's first solid food. While these may seem like a good start because they are made from a single ingredient and have no added salt or sugar, you should never put these in a baby bottle. There are several main reasons for this.

1. The story of sleeping well at night is a myth.

This is the biggest misconception. While it is believed that giving a bottle of cereal will help your baby sleep longer, new research has proven that this is completely wrong. Babies this age cannot sleep for more than 5 hours at a time. That is their natural pattern. Whether they are full or not, they will wake up and demand milk. So giving them cereal will not change this pattern.

2. Severe Choking Risk

This is the most dangerous thing. When you add cereal to a bottle of milk, the liquid becomes very thick. Babies are used to drinking liquid milk. If they suddenly drink something thick like this, it will be difficult to swallow and there is a high chance of choking. It can even be life-threatening for the little one.

3. Reluctance to eat solid food later

A baby who has been accustomed to drinking condensed milk will have a hard time understanding the difference between liquid and solid foods. Therefore, when you try to feed solid foods from a spoon later, the baby may not like it and may refuse to eat. This makes it even harder to get the baby used to solid foods.

Special Risks in Rice Flour: The Arsenic Problem

Another hidden risk of putting cereal in a milk bottle is arsenic. Arsenic is an element that is naturally present in soil and water. Compared to other grains , rice plants absorb more arsenic from the soil.

Arsenic added to rice in this way is also known as a carcinogen . Although these are present in low levels in cereals given to babies, research has found that they can affect a child's growth and brain development in the long term.

For this reason, international organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommend starting solid foods with low-arsenic grains like oatmeal, instead of rice flour.

So how do you feed cereal to your baby correctly?

Whatever type of cereal you give your baby, you should give it to him with a small baby spoon, not a bottle. This can be a bit messy and messy. But it's the right and safest way.

• Step 1: Take 1 tablespoon of iron-fortified single-ingredient cereal.
• Step 2: Add about 4 tablespoons of breast milk or formula to it and mix well. Make it a little thinner first.
• Step 3: Hold the baby upright and try feeding him a little with a small spoon.
• Step 4: As the baby learns to swallow it, you can gradually increase the consistency of the mixture.
• Step 5: If your baby doesn't want to eat or won't open his mouth, never force him. Stop at that point and try again in a few days.

Other solid foods that can be given in addition to cereals

Starting solid foods before your baby is ready can lead to obesity later in life. Also, introducing foods containing gluten, such as grains, too early can lead to allergies.

The idea that delaying the introduction of foods that can cause allergies, such as peanuts, fish, and eggs, can prevent allergies is now debunked. Doctors now recommend gradually introducing these foods during the introduction of solid foods. But this should only be done under the guidance of your doctor.

Once your baby is used to eating cereal, you can offer a well-puréed fruit or vegetable without added sugar or salt. Only give one type at a time. You can also offer well-cooked, mashed meats. Always be aware of your baby's reaction to a new food.