How to Know When to Start Thickening a Baby's Rice Cereal
Transitioning from breast milk or formula to solid foods can be a momentous event in a baby̵7;s life. Because your little one has never experienced the tastes and textures of solid food, it may take time for him to acclimate to this new eating adventure. You'll know when your baby is ready to tackle thicker rice cereal by watching him carefully and following his lead.
Instructions
Observe how your baby moves the thin cereal from the spoon to the back of his mouth to swallow it, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics. For first feedings, the cereal should have the consistency of soup, offers Gerber.com. Wait to thicken the cereal if your baby allows it to drip out of her mouth without swallowing or if she gags as she tries to swallow it. Depending on how your child acts during a feeding, you might continue to offer the thinned cereal once a day, or you could also set solid foods aside for one to two weeks and then try again with thinned cereal. Add slightly less breast milk or formula to make the cereal just slightly thicker, if your baby eagerly accepts the cereal from the spoon and moves it with his tongue to swallow it. This swallowing skill displays comfort with the eating process. Thicken your baby̵7;s cereal gradually as she shows you that she can swallow comfortably. Swallowing more than she is spitting out is an indication that she̵7;s swallowing efficiently, states BabyWeekly, an e-newsletter published by Cord Blood Registry. By proceeding slowly at your child̵7;s comfort level, you can create a positive eating experience for your baby. Previous:How Long Should Infants Go Without Food at Night? Next:What Is the Process for Introducing Solid Foods Into an Infant's Diet?
