Introducing Solids to my 5 month old baby?

[marina]

My daughter is 5 months old and her sleeping habits have changed lately. She used to sleep for 5-6 hrs straight and now for the past week she sleeps in 3-4 hrs chucks for a feeding. I breastfeed and was wondering if its time for me to introduce some cereal in her diet? If so, when and how much should I give her?

 

[Natcho]

You could try but don't give her anymore than a tablespoon of single grain cereal to start....even if she seems to like it. Wait to see how it'll affect her tummy. I tried my 5 month old son for the first time on rice cereal just last week and he did well with it, but he didn't poop for a few days. Next time I will be trying a cereal like wheat or oats that has a bit of fiber in it to help with that. (sorry if too much info). Rice cereal doesn't have any fiber.

As for when?....I don't know the technical answer, but Id suggest maybe NOT RIGHT before bed for the first time or 2 to see how she reacts to it.

 

[lccdttddmmlh]

It's normally good to start with about an ounce of liquid for the cereal. She may not eat it all the first few feedings until she gets the hang of it.
I would do it when she'd relaxed and in a good mood. If she's too hungry she won't want to try it. It will just frustrate her. Evening is good if she's in a good mood. Slowly make more and more as she learns how to eat it better. YOu can nurse her before feeding it to her so she gets all the breastmilk and then feed her the cereal until she is full.