How to Feed a Baby Rice Cereal

Four- to 6-month-old babies who can hold their heads up and sit up on their own are often ready to try solid foods. Iron-fortified rice cereal is usually one of the first solids parents give their babies. Don̵7;t expect your baby to love the rice cereal at first. It might take a few tries for him to get used to and enjoy a food other than formula or breast milk. Regardless of whether he takes to the cereal, get your camera ready because it̵7;s sure to be a picture-worthy moment.

Things You'll Need

  • Breast milk or formula
  • Bowl
  • Baby spoon
  • Bib
  • High chair

Instructions

    • 1

      Mix breast milk or formula with the powdered rice cereal. How thick you make it depends on your baby̵7;s experience and ability to eat solid foods. For the first feedings, though, use 1 teaspoon of cereal for every 4 or 5 teaspoon of milk. The cereal will look more like soup than oatmeal.

    • 2

      Put a large bib on your baby and sit him so he is upright. A highchair with shoulder straps or a person̵7;s lap works well.

    • 3

      Scoop a little bit of the cereal onto a narrow baby spoon and hold it at your baby̵7;s lips. Gently touch his lips with the spoon and hold it there for a few seconds so he has an opportunity to get his first taste and smell of the new food.

    • 4

      Push the spoon slightly into his mouth. Your baby might try to push the food to the back of his mouth. If he̵7;s not interested, put the spoon down and try again in a minute or two. Keep feeding your baby in this manner until he stops eating. If this feeding is unsuccessful, try again the next day.

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