Our First Attempt {Rice Cereal}

At our four month check up, Dr. Butler suggested that we start the girls on a little bit of rice cereal.  Not, by any means, to replace a 'milk meal', but in addition to- supplementing at one of their feeding times with just about a tablespoon of rice cereal mixed with about 2 ounces of breastmilk.

When I went to the store to see about getting some rice cereal- I thought this will be an easy quick grab at the end of my trip.  Boy, was I mistaken.  There are about a million options to choose from.  I mean, how many ways can you make rice cereal, for Pete's sake?

Finally, after skimming through all the options and allowing my frozen veggies to start the thawing process, I chose Earth's Best Organic.  The real reason I selected it was not because it was organic, but because of the advertised 'whole grain' on the front of the box.  I'm all about the whole food options vesus the white and plan to give the girls all kinds of whole grains, like oatmeal and barley, but wanted to start with the basics first. 

I was so nervous about starting them on a little bit of the cereal..

• Were they going to like it?
• Did I make it right?
• Is it too hot?
• Is it too early to give them rice cereal??  

 I called their pediatrician, again, to make sure it was okay to start them with the cereal at 4 1/2 months, and she assured me it was perfectly fine.  Besides, it is great for the motor development that they will need when it is time to transition into other foods.  With two babies to make that transition, I'm all about making it easier. 

Parker Jane was first- and she loved it.. for about 4 bites.  She then got tired of it when she realized she couldn't suck the spoon and get unlimited supply of the goopy stuff.  Her arm flailing and 'get me out of here' looks started and so Daddy scooped her up and off to the bath she went! 

Jolie Grace was next, and she was a little more patient and interested in the spoon to mouth action.  She seemed to like it pretty well!  She kept grabbing the spoon, the bowl, and even started sucking it off of her (way too big for her little belly) bib.  It was precious! 

 Halfway through her bowl.. she decided she hated it.  The look of disgust that covered her face was tears-rolling-down-your-face funny.  I was dying and so was her daddy who was attempting to take pictures. 

She looked like an angry grandpa or something. 

She ended up finishing her bowl, funny scowled faces and all.  It was Jolie's turn to take a bath..

Since their try of rice cereal they've had it three more times, and really love it!  The other night I was feeding them both at the same time while daddy was at the fire station and Parker was making the 'mmmmm' noises.  I was giggling so hard and wishing I had just one more hand to video her funny sounds.  Jolie, again, cleaned her bowl and then wanted to suck the spoon.

A couple things I learned from this first attempt with rice cereal:

Clothes are not neccessary.  I made the mistake of not undressing them prior to their eating.. big mistake.  HUGE.  Cereal. Everywhere.
They've been nakey ever since  :)

Leave it a little thick.  Making the cereal too liquid-y is less appealing to the girls and they get frustrated and fussy to the fact that they can't such the spoon like a nipple.  Leaving the cereal with a little thickness to it is better for our girls.

Offer the breast or bottle before feeding the rice cereal. At 4 1/2 months, these cereal feedings are not to replace breast milk or formula.  Feeding them first before offering the cereal ensures that they are getting a full feeding from you, and not filling up on cereal.  Usually we give them a bath and read a book or play after this cereal 'snack', and then I offer them the breast just before bed to 'top them off'. 

Do it just before bed. Full bellies can mean a full night's rest for baby and momma:)