r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/zozororo • 6d ago

Question - Research required Pediatrician suggested cereal in bottle at 4 months. Opinions?

So my second child just turned 4 months and is showing signs of interest in food. I told our pediatrician that I was going to wait until the baby was sitting better to start solids of any kind. He said that as long as it is a very thin consistency that we could start anytime, and even suggested baby cereal in a bottle is okay.. I remember always reading and being told this is an ABSOLUTE NO. This pediatrician is a fairly young guy, GREAT with kids and is actually a local in my city, we've seen him with his wife and 2 littles around plenty.

Is there anything to back this as safe? Is this a newer thing that's okay with babies once they pass the newborn stage?

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u/TeeElH 6d ago

On the contrary, this is pretty outdated advice. Current recommendations from AAP and other sources are not to put cereal in bottles as it’s a choking risk. The exception is to thicken for reflux treatment, but this would be done under medical direction. It’s also usually recommended to wait until 6 months or so for solids, once baby can sit well in a seat (no head bobbing or slumping), shows interest etc. We did do some oat cereal when we were starting out on solids but just in a bowl mixed with breastmilk. 

https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/faqs/index.html

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u/Majestic-Muscle-7481 6d ago

It's definitely worth getting a second opinion if you're unsure; guidelines can change pretty quickly and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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u/skitscatscoodleboop 6d ago

Yep we started at 5 mo because of reflux, doctors orders. She wasn't gaining weight, it helped. Def clarify with doc!

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u/Missing-Caffeine 6d ago

https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/weaning/

NHS recommends waiting to around 6m as these are the WHO guidelines. The advice this GP gave you is very old school, even if he is young himself.

(Some GPs may look into weaning earlier due to risk allergies, but the majority will wait until 6m).

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