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When Going to Solids, Timing Is Everything

Introducing Cereal to Baby

By Lisa A. Goldstein

The study doesn't have an answer for why, but its authors speculate that perhaps the developing infant needs to be introduced to food, and in particular, cereal grains, earlier in order for the gut mucosal immune system to become tolerant to the protein. "If introduced too soon, the infant will react, and if introduced too late, the infant's immune system overreacts," Dr. Poole says.

Nichole Sietsema of Tempe, Ariz., introduced solids to her son at 5 1/2 months old. Unaware of the recent study, she chose solid fruits and vegetables over cereal for a couple of reasons. In addition to helping with his teething, she says she believes the nutritional content in these foods are much higher than that of the cereals.

When Sietsema introduced her son to rice cereal at about 6 months of age, it was met with much reluctance. She initially mixed it with breastmilk and then tried mixing it with water and carrots, which he seemed to prefer.

Intrigued about the new study, Sietsema says she's continuing with her current rice cereal feeding and will be adding oatmeal soon. Both sides of her family have a genetic predisposition to diabetes, so Sietsema says if the findings reduce a risk of diabetes, she'll enforce even more cereal feedings. But will it be too late?

It's also important not to introduce cereal until your child is showing signs of readiness. "Starting too early can be frustrating for the parent and Baby, cause Baby to choke and is simply not necessary," says Melinda Johnson, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Johnson says these are ome signs of readiness:

Want to see more?

• Ready or Not? The Real Scoop on Solids
• Celiac Disease: Understanding This
  Autoimmune Disorder
• Baby's First Cookie: Making Homemade
  Teething Biscuits
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

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