When Can You Feed Cerelac to Your Baby?

Are you looking for an answer to when to start feeding Cerelac to your baby? Have questions like, ‘’Can I feed Cerelac to my 4-months-old baby?’’ ever crossed your mind? Here is a complete guide that helps you know everything about starting Cerelac for your baby.

Are you juggling with the question of feeding solids to your baby? Well, you are not alone! 80% of first-time parents start looking for the answers to these questions once their little one turns 4 months of age.

The million-dollar question is:

What is the ideal age to start feeding Cerelac to your baby?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting solids between 4 and 6 months of age, but it also advocates exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. These contradictory statements make the recommendation a bit confusing for many parents. Breastmilk and formula milk are the best sources of all nutrients that are required for your baby. Also, the baby’s digestive system in the first 6 months is not strong enough to digest any food other than milk.

However, studies suggest that baby food can be started at the age of 4 months. Well, this should be done after a pediatrician's consultation only.

Your guide to starting your baby on solids and homemade recipes

Feeding Cerelac to your 4-months-old baby

Some pediatricians answered the “When to start Cerelac?” question.

When your baby’s hunger cues are too frequent

It is when your child’s tummy is not full despite the milk you just fed him with and he is still becoming hungry frequently. Then, it’s a sign that your baby requires solid food. They recommend familiarizing your child with solids from 4 months onwards. The doctor will ask you to keep an eye on your child for a few cues while your baby is four months of age.

Your baby has good head control and can sit with support

This physical growth and developmental progress indicate that your baby's appetite is growing too. So keep a tab on this.

He shows interest in your plate and takes a finger in his mouth

Your little one’s cues that your plate of food is of more interest to him than his bottle of milk is a good indication that his taste buds are now craving for some semi-solid foods.

His appetite is increasing

And he readily opens his mouth when you bring a spoon to his mouth.

If your child shows these traits, you can start familiarizing him with solids at 4 months of age. But, make sure that the breastmilk should remain the major source of nutrition till he turns 6 months of age. Solids should be offered in very small portions just to make him accustomed to the food but start full-fledged solids only after 6 months.

You can begin to feed him single-grain Cerelac through spoon. Start with 1 tablespoon of Cerelac and then increase gradually to 2 -3 spoons. Prefer to introduce single grain homemade Cerelac to your baby.

Home-made Cerelac recipe for your little one

Rice is one of the safest food to be introduced to babies. Whenever you start Cerelac for your baby, start with Rice Cerelac. Make a rice cerelac at your home for your little one.

Ingredients: 100 gms rice, milk.

Steps to make Rice Cerelac for your baby:

1. Wash the rice well. Soak them in enough water overnight or for at least 4-5 hours. Let them dry in sunlight.

2. Dry roast all the rice in a kadhai. Keep stirring the same. The rice will splutter. Keep them aside and let it cool.

3. Grind all the rice into a finely coarse powder. Store the rice powder in an airtight container.

Whenever required, take 1 tsp of rice powder and boil it in breastmilk or formula milk. Stir the mixture to avoid any lump. It should be in paste form. Serve it to your baby.

Note: You can replace rice with other cereals.

Check out: Multi-grain homemade cerelac recipe for your baby

Things to remember while feeding Cerelac to baby:

Till now you must have got the answer of when to start Cerelac for babies, but, here are a few tips to be remembered while feeding Cerelac to your baby.

1. Do not add any sugar to the Cerelac. Sugar must be avoided until the age of 1 year.

2. Do not add any solid nuts or fine powder until 6 months of baby's age. Start using nuts powder after 6 months of age.

3. Make sure you increase the amount of liquid while feeding Cerelac to your little one.

4. Check for any illness, allergy or intolerance of solid in your baby. If there is any, stop giving Cerelac to him.

5. Make your child sits properly while feeding Cerelac. There is a risk of unsafe swallowing by your child if he is fed being in the wrong posture. Do check for it.

And lastly, do not compromise on breastmilk or formula milk, and continue it as long as you can.

For more updates on your child's daily nutrition, join the Parentlane Community today!

Disclaimer : Content presented here is for information purposes only, please consult with your doctor for any health queries

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