what brand of cereal?

[Ruchi]

Mi LO will start on solids in 2 weeks and I don't have any idea about what brand of cereal I should get for him, a friend of mine told me that the one called "milupa" is very good. Any advice?
I'm bf my baby and so far he hasn't tried anything else, my husband said that maybe we should start giving him some water in the bottle but I don't see what for? and I'm afraid that he will drink less breast milk if I give him water. Could that be possible or is not a big deal?

Thanks in advice for you advices!!!
Ruth

[Lola]

I like Milupa. Your baby doesn't need water at this point-he gets all he needs from breast milk. It is NOT recommended to give them water at that age (as far as I know and was told anyways)
HTH
L

[Nay - Mateo's Mom]

Hiya!

First the water issue.. I've been told by my doc that giving water is not necessary because LOs quench their thirst with breast milk.
We do, however, give Mateo chamomile tea (no sugar). I offer it to him when we are out for walks just in case he's hot/thirsty. He takes a couple of sips here and there, and it doesn't impact his breasfeeding.

As for cereal, I was told to stay away from cereals that have formula in them since Mateo is breast fed. Milupa has formula in it, and if your baby has NEVER been exposed to formula (cow's milk) then just go slowly to watch for any allergic reactions. We give Mateo Healthy Times Organic Cereals (brown rice, barley, oatmeal). I mix it with Breast Milk and/or water or cham tea, and so far all is going well.

Good luck,
Nay

[Ruchi]

Thanks alot. It is good to know all that information specially if you have been there and done that!!

[Sarahboh]

I use all the Milupa cereals and Ella has always loved them. I have tried others and she dislikes them. The baby rice Milupa smells and tastes much more appetizing than any other as they add vanilla to it. Good luck on whatever you choose!

[Mrs. Gravy]

Infant cereals are not necessary.

Grains are quite difficult to digest.  If you really want to start with a grain, regular whole oats are much more nutritious than infant cereals.

I would start with some mashed banana or avocado.  These are great first foods for babies.

Many people believe cereals are needed because they are fortified with iron, but as long as you are continuing to bf, baby will be fine.

I agree that water is not needed for a bf baby.  There is water in breast milk.  You can offer small sips of water when giving solids if you like, but you don't have to.

[Kimberly®]

Infant cereals are an importent forst step to your LO. You should always start with these first. Breastfeed first then about an hour later feed solids as then they will take more breastmilk.
Rice cerials are usually best to use first. Introduce Cerials one at a time for 7 days, use a cerial you can add water or breast milk too, as formula cerials may be to much for your LO. Rice, Oats, Barly and then wheat. They go in the order that should be easier for your LO's tummy.
Don't start fruits untill after the cerials. Apple sauce is a good starter, hold off on banana's because they are hard on LO's tummy and can constipate them. Its actually recomended that you start with veggies before fruit because your LO is more likly to take veggies if they have them first, but it depends who you ask. Do either first, but do them one at a time for 3-5 days before starting a new one and watch for allergies.
If your LO by chance has a lactos intolerence problem read the cereals very carefully before you buy them. Milupa is a great cereal but it has milk/lactose in it.

Water is not "needed" but on a hot summer day it doesn't hurt to give your LO an oz or 2 to avoid dehydration, just make sure breastmilk is still the main source of nutrition.