Q: When should I start my baby on solid foods?
A: Around the middle of your baby’s first year, she should be ready to start solid foods. This coincides with her having reached the Supported Sitter developmental stage. To learn more about nutrition and feeding at this stage, please refer to our Nutrition Guide for Supported Sitters.
Before starting solid foods, be sure to discuss it with your pediatrician.
Q: What is the first solid food I should feed my baby?
A: Rice cereal (such as GERBER® Rice Cereal) is typically the first complementary food introduced to infants. It is made with gentle ingredients and its smooth, fine texture is developmentally appropriate for your baby’s first solid food.
Oatmeal (such as GERBER® Oatmeal Cereal) is usually the second cereal offered. Wait about 3 days in between each cereal to see how your baby tolerates them. Watch for signs of allergic responses such as diarrhea, a rash or vomiting. If any of these occur, stop feeding that variety and contact your pediatrician.
Once your baby is eating cereal, you can also try pureed baby foods like GERBER® 1ST FOODS® fruits and vegetables.
To learn more about feeding your baby at this stage of development, read our Nutrition Guide for Supported Sitters.
Q: How do I prepare cereal for my baby?
A: Your baby’s first bite of “solids” should look more like thin milk. Mix 1 tablespoon of cereal with 4 to 5 tablespoons of breastmilk or formula until it has a souplike consistency.
Q: How do I store cereal once it has been opened?
A: Store cereal in a cool, dry area away from sources of heat. It should also be kept away from products that may have strong odors or flavors.
Q: How long can I keep an opened container of cereal?
A: An opened container of cereal may be kept up to one month (30 days) in your kitchen cabinet.
Q: Should my baby’s diet include cereal?
A: Yes, most pediatricians recommend starting with an iron-fortified cereal. GERBER® Infant Cereals provide an excellent source of this important nutrient.
Iron is an important nutrient for baby's growth and mental development. Around the middle of the first year, babies' natural iron stores begin to diminish.
Q: Can I feed cereal from a bottle?
A: We recommend that you do not feed cereal from a bottle, unless directed by pediatrician. Feeding cereal from a spoon helps develop feeding skills.
Q: How do I find the “use by” date on the product?
A: GERBER® products - Each product is stamped with a “use by” date in the format dd mm yy. For example, a use-by date of August 25, 2010 would be indicated as “25 AUG 10”.
Q: When should I begin feeding my baby Sitter-appropriate cereals?
A: Your baby may be ready if she or he sits independently, shows excitement when food is presented or picks up and holds small objects in his or her hand.
Q: When should I begin feeding my baby Crawler-appropriate cereals?
A: Your baby may be ready if she or he crawls with his or her stomach off of the floor, may pull his or her self to stand or begins to use his or her jaw to mash food.
Q: When is a good time to introduce wheat into my baby’s diet?
A: After your baby enjoys single grain cereals, try GERBER Mixed Grain cereal, which is made with a smaller amount of wheat. Then introduce GERBER Whole Wheat cereal for new, healthy tastes. For your baby’s 1st wheat introduction, mix 1 Tbsp. cereal with 4-5 Tbsp. of breastmilk or formula. If baby tolerates for another 2 days, continue feeding as desired. If you suspect any reactions, stop feeding this cereal and call your pediatrician.