When we ran a survey on our site last year to find out which is the first food most commonly introduced to babies, a whopping 70 per cent of parents replied that their little ones’ first taste of solids had been infant rice cereal (baby rice).
Pediatricians frequently recommend baby rice as an appropriate first food and many of us are led to believe that it is the ONLY suitable first weaning food.
But things are beginning to change – and a growing number of parents are questioning the value of commercial infant rice as a form of nourishment for their babies. Some pediatricians, too, are beginning to acknowledge that there ARE other options besides baby rice and are suggesting starting baby on veggies, fruit – even meat – instead.
There are so many varied opinions on this subject that we decided to look into it a little further. After interviewing a range of parents who shared their experiences of baby rice with us, we have put together an extensive article looking at the pros and cons of using infant cereal as a first food for babies.
Addressing such topics as the need for extra iron that baby rice is intended to meet – and the digestive issues that may result from the consumption of commercial rice cereal – we hope that our new article helps you make the most appropriate nutrition choice for YOUR baby food beginner.
Read our article here…
The Best First Food for Baby – Does It Have to be Baby Rice?
Heron’s Starting Solids
Saturday 13th of February 2010
[...] times people start out with breast milk / rice cereal, we decide to go the veggie/fruit route. I started Heron out with pears, and he was not impressed. [...]
Bernice
Tuesday 21st of July 2009
I have two beautiful girls they are all grown now but I started them with a mixture of their formula and a teaspoon of cereal in their bottle at 3 months. This led them to a great night sleep with a full belly. Then later I gave them the cereal as breakfast or dinner mixing it with fruits or veggies blended in for flavor. They are both healthy and happy girls.
Nisha
Saturday 8th of November 2008
Here in Switzerland where I live, the advice is to start with vegetables and fruit, not with cereal. I started my son on carrots, courgettes, apples and pears at aged 5.5 months. The rice cereal came about a month or so later.