Have you started your baby on cereal? Need advice.

Question

My baby just turned 20 weeks. I’ve been EBF and I want to continue. 
We went to her pedi last week and he said to feed her cereal 4 times a day and then offer her Breast milk. He also said if she gets hungry between feedings to give her water. 
I feed on demand. She’s not underweight and she’s growing properly.

Answer

Ummm what? That seems excessive, at that age I might give it once, but keep feeding on demand. Water isn't like breastmilk at all. Baby still needs nutrients from you. Sorry I don't agree with what this doctor is telling you to do.

Answer

My advice?
Get a new pedi. 
It is well known by the AAP and other major health organizations that you do not give water to a baby under six months (minus maybe medical exceptions). Also; the recommendations around introducing any type of food (including cereal) are not to introduce it until six months. And four times a day?? That’s like giving a vegetarian meat four times a day all of the sudden: their body wouldn’t do well with that. It needs to be introduced gradually. Additionally. Breastmilk is supposed to be the main source of nutrition for the first year (and especially the first six months!) which means it needs to be offered First, before any foods/cereals.
Your doc sounds like he’s out of date with the current standards, which would make me not trust them when it comes to anything else either.

Answer

I agree with the other commenter...that doesn’t seem necessary at all. Here’s some recommendations from the AAP.

Answer

That’s terrible advice! Absolutely no need for solids before six months and water can be dangerous too

Answer

That’s is totally wrong advice you baby can be exclusively breastfed till 6 months than you should introduce solids you can introduce before 6 months but I would offer solids after you’re breast fed and start with once a day

Have you started your baby on cereal? Need advice.

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