How to Feed a 3 Month Old Cereal

Feeding your baby rice cereal is a way to supplement the nutrition he receives from formula or breast milk. Talk to your pediatrician before adding any solid foods to your baby's diet, as she can assess whether your 3-month-old is ready to begin eating different foods. Purchase a set of bowls and spoons if you do not already have some, and be sure to have plenty of bibs and cloths for cleanup. Feeding a 3-month-old can be a messy process.

Things You'll Need

  • Bouncer or feeding seat
  • Bib or cloth
  • Spoon
  • Bowl
  • 1 tbsp. rice cereal
  • 3 to 5 tbsp. formula or breast milk

Instructions

    • 1

      Assess your 3-month-old's readiness for solid food by looking for the following indicators. Your baby should have developed some control over her head, such as being able to hold it upright for a period of time. The tongue thrust reflex, a protection mechanism to prevent a young baby from swallowing inedible objects, should be gone.

    • 2

      Practice the feeding before using actual rice cereal. Place your baby in his bouncer or feeding chair and secure his bib. Gently place a baby spoon on his lips to allow him to feel the texture. Let him grab the spoon with his hands, put it in his mouth and explore this new territory.

    • 3

      Keep the feeding simple and short by being prepared before you place your baby in her chair.

    • 4

      Mix the rice cereal with your baby's usual formula or breast milk. A good ratio to follow is one tablespoon of cereal for every three to five tablespoons of liquid. You want the consistency to be runny and easy for your baby to swallow.

    • 5

      Secure your baby in his chair and place a bib around his neck. Put a small amount of rice cereal on the spoon and gently push the spoon into your baby's mouth. You can run the spoon along his inner cheek to help prevent the cereal from spilling or leaking out of his mouth.

    • 6

      Continue feeding until the rice cereal is gone or as long as your baby will accept the cereal. Use the bib or a cloth to wipe any spills or mess.

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