Some questions about starting cereal

We started DS on oatmeal last week. (We didn't start with rice because he doesn't poop everyday.) I don't know if he just doesn't know what to do with it or he doesn't like it. He makes faces and starts to whine. We make sure we don't wait until it's time for his bottle so I don't think he's frustrated because he's too hungry.
Anyway my questions are....
How long do you wait to try a different cereal?
Do I ditch oatmeal and start another altogether or do I do one in the morning and the other at night?
And maybe this one is silly.... but if he's getting cereal morning and night what if I don't give it to him one day or another? Is that ok?
And which should I try next, rice or barley?
Thanks for any info!

Message edited 10/20/2008 6:25:37 PM.

Re: Some questions about starting cereal

We only did oatmeal for the same reason you started with oatmeal.

I'd keep trying it with him, you can switch if you want. DS didn't really like it either til we started putting a little applesauce in when he was about 5 months old.

And you don't have to give it everyday! Cereal and even baby food are really just for practice!! DC will get most of their nutrients from BM or formula. We went on a cruise when DS was 8 months old and he barely ate baby food even though he had been on it for 4 months, we just gave formula b/c it was too much work.

Have fun with it!

Re: Some questions about starting cereal

I started with oatmeal too for the same reason. The first few times she had no interest, made faces adn wouldn't open her mouth. I stopped and tried again a week later. I also played around with the consistency and she loves it thicker. So I would give it another try, he may not be ready.

I went to rice 2nd and after the 3 days the dr. recommended she was straining to poop I went right back to the oatmeal, and next I'll do barley.

Re: Some questions about starting cereal

Posted by Daisy07

I went to rice 2nd and after the 3 days the dr. recommended she was straining to poop I went right back to the oatmeal, and next I'll do barley.

Re: Some questions about starting cereal

I started DD on the rice only b/c she had had rice cereal in her bottle for reflux since she was 2 weeks old. In the beginning of putting the rice in her bottle, she was constipated as well. 1oz of prune juice w/1oz of water was the fix on that.

Next I went to oatmeal, and have never tried the barley b/c my ped said that it can may make her gassier than normal, and since my DD had issues w/gas when she was born, and still does sometimes, I never bothered with it.

I gave it to her every day, 2x per day.

Now that we are on more advanced foods, she only has her cereal 1x per day - in the AM.