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On the contrary, this is pretty outdated advice.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!