How to Feed Cereal to a Baby

Rice cereal is typically the first type of solid food that touches a baby's tongue. It can be made extremely watery, and it is gentle on the stomach. Baby's first attempt at solid food is always an eventful one. Some parents even record the moment to remember forever. While your baby may not cooperate the first time, eventually she will swallow bits of solid food. There isn't a wrong way to feed your child baby food, but there is certainly a right way. To maximize your baby's success at eating baby food, there are certain rules you must follow.

Things You'll Need

  • High chair
  • Baby spoon
  • Bib
  • Rice cereal
  • Bowl

Instructions

    • 1

      Strap your baby into his highchair. All highchairs should come with safety straps. Make sure to buckle them each time even if you feel silly. Velcro, snap, or tie a bib around your baby's neck. He will need it.

    • 2

      Dilute the rice cereal until it pours off the spoon when it is tilted. Typically, 1 teaspoon of cereal should be mixed with 4 or 5 teaspoons of breast milk or formula. You can also mix with water, but formula and breast milk are more nutritious for infants.

    • 3

      Scoop a spoonful of cereal into the baby spoon. Offer it to your baby. If she opens her mouth, gently place the tip of the spoon into her mouth and pour in the cereal. If she does not open her mouth, touch the cereal to her lips and see if she becomes more interested or if she licks at it.

    • 4

      Observe how your baby reacts and takes the cereal. Most babies will make an awful face the first time something new is placed into their mouth. That doesn't necessarily mean your baby doesn't like the cereal. Babies have a natural reflex to push everything that enters their mouth out with their tongue. This instinct usually ends when they are ready for solid foods.

    • 5

      Scrape the spoon gently below your baby's mouth to catch any leftover cereal that was spit out or spilled. If he is willing, offer this leftover cereal to him once again. If he is not willing to open his mouth again, stop.

    • 6

      End the feeding session if your baby shows disinterest or gets upset. You don't want her to associate feedings with stress.

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