When should I start Cerelac for my baby?
When should you start feeding cerelac to your baby? This is one question that knocks the mind of all moms like you who are just unfolding the ways of this new journey of motherhood.
Well! the answer to this depends completely on the growth of your baby and also a lot depends on the advice of the doctor you have been visiting. However, WHO recommends breastfeeding the child for 6 months exclusively but if the baby is undergrowing then a lot of time doctors’ advice to start Cerelac at 4 months itself.
When you are starting solids for your baby, it is indeed the time to think about what are you going to feed your baby as this decision will influence the health of your baby is every way.
“Yummy!! Delicious!! Nutrilicious!! What can I serve you more?”
Cerelac is surely the first choice for all doting mothers who want to give the best to their lolos. It has cereals in it which is power packed with all essential nutrients to provide proper growth and development to your baby.
Cerelac by itself is a complete meal with no chemicals or preservatives added to it. It takes care of the complete nutrition of your baby.
In this post, you would get to know in detail why should you be feeding cerelac to your baby and the benefits it offers your baby.
Pros & Cons of Cerelac – The complete guide
Pros of Cerelac
Cerelac is the first name that pops into our minds when we think of baby food shopping. Its variety of delicious flavours and ease of preparation has made it a popular success.It is recommended by all paediatricians including the American Paediatric Society, to be given only when your baby turns 6 months old.
However, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor before starting your child on any solid food intake. You may wish to feed your baby with homemade food made in your personal supervision, which is equally good. The major difference between Cerelac and homemade food is that Cerelac is fortified with iron and all other essential minerals that serve as a complete meal for the growing baby.
Some of the pros of feeding your baby cerelac.
• Very easy to prepare. You just need a scoop of the stuff and some warm water and voila, dinner is served!
• It provides the baby with the combined benefits of cereals, iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, protein, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Omega 3 and omega 6. It has a total of 18 important nutrients and it is free of any chemical preservatives, flavours and colours.
• It is handy to carry in travels and outings.
• Easily available in most stores.
When it comes to homemade food you would have to take care of extra iron supplements present in carrot, pomegranate, spinach or other leafy vegetables. Cerelac is the combination of milk and cereals which serve the best to the growing baby.
On an average, Cerelac can be fed to babies till two years. Most moms prefer using it till one year after which they switch to home cooked food for providing variety and taste to their little babies.
Cons of Cerelac
Even though Cerelac is packed with nutrition, it has a major red flag – sugar.
Glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, dextrose, caramel, corn syrup, malt – these are some of the names sugar sneaks through into your diet. Of course, you cannot guarantee your baby will stay away from sweets all life – he/she will definitely taste an ice cream or a hundred very shortly.
The sugar Wikipedia page lists obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s among health conditions that sugar bestows upon the world. However, given the proven addictive nature of sugar that has been found to be comparable to that of heroin, is it really a good idea to introduce it as the first ever solid taste to your baby?
I just found caramel (water and sucrose) and maltodextrin in the cerelac box nearest to me. Multiply that by the recommended three level scoops three times a day for 6-month-olds, you are siphoning chunks of sugar into your little one’s diet.
Babies depend on us adults to make decisions – what we start them off with will set the tone for the path of their life. So its good to be extra careful and double check your choices when it comes to babies.
Cerelac for weight gain
We’ve all seen the beautiful chubby babies that star in cerelac commercials. And when our own little ones arrive leaner, we start worrying. Aren’t healthy babies supposed to chubby? Does a skinny baby mean that you are not doing the mom business right? Turns out, not all babies are built to be chubby. Some of them have leaner genetic blueprints and that is okay. As long as your baby’s caregiver isn’t concerned about your baby, as long as he/she is gaining weight and is active, you don’t have to force in more food or cerelac to your baby.
Cerelac offer great conveniences while travelling or on outings. It is very handy to be made and served. The scoop measurements and preparation should be exactly as it recommended on it.
FAQ
Which Cerelac is best for a 6-month-old baby?
If your baby is 6 months or older, you can give him / her Stage 1 of Cerelac. The flavours available in Stage 1 Cerelac are Cerelac Rice, Cerelac Wheat and Cerelac Maize. You might be able to find other variants depending on where you live.
When can I give Cerelac to my baby?
You can start giving your baby Cerelac as a part of a balanced diet when your little one turns 6 months old. Make sure you include appropriate servings of pureed fruits, vegetables, and single grain porridges along with Cerelac.
Is Cerelac good for the baby?
Cerelac is good for the baby as a last resort. It can be used when you are travelling or to prevent your baby from going to bed hungry because of unexpected circumstances. Sweeteners have been found to increase risks of cholesterol, heart disease and Alzheimer’s; feeding Cerelac which has sweeteners to your child every day is not recommended.
Which Cerelac is best for a baby?
Nestle has introduced Ceregrow Organic Selection for 2 to 5-year olds with organic grains, fruits and milk. Such food made from Organic Sources is best for a baby.
How many times Cerelac a day?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that you should give 6-month-olds solid food 2 to 3 times per day with formula or breastmilk. You can either give processed food like Cerelac 3 times a day or mix and match a few other purees of your choice.
Can I give Cerelac at night?
The night is not the best time to try feeding solids for the first time to your little one. If your baby’s digestive system is not able to digest the Cerelac meal, he might suffer through the night with tummy upset, frequent bathrooms and colic. Moreover, studies have established that there is no difference in sleep between babies who were given solids at bedtime versus milk at bedtime. So, if your child is older than 9 months, you can give him Cerelac at bedtime. For younger babies, try introducing solids one by one in the day when you are available with full energy for help and care.
Can we give Cerelac to 5 months?
1. UNICEF
2. WHO
3. Health Canada
4. American Academy of Pediatrics
5. Australian National Health and Medical Research Council
6. American Academy of Family Pediatrics
All of these organizations have undertaken individual research and have concluded that babies should not be fed solids until they are 6 months old. Cereal at 5 months will do more harm than good to your baby, compromise her immune system and can result in health issues like obesity later.
Can I mix Cerelac with Formula Milk?
Never. You should never attempt to feed your baby Cerelac in a feeding bottle unless he has a specific medical condition and your paediatrician recommends doing so. Feeding Cerelac in a feeding bottle is a choking hazard and takes away from the amount of milk your baby needs. You are substituting nutrient-rich milk with high concentrated calories, depriving her of said nutrients and paving the path for overeating and obesity in the future. You should prepare Cerelac strictly following the instructions on the package – i.e., using lukewarm water and the recommended amount of cereal.
The conclusion
It would do your baby no harm if he/she has occasional cerelac meals. It is best if you give your baby a chance to experience a wide array of flavours and textures, with cerelac as one among them.
