I Suck At Feeding Rice Cereal

Today was a milestone of sorts. Today, we started feeding our baby daughter (Briana) rice cereal. Unfortunately, I suck at feeding rice cereal.

Briana's pediatrician recommended that we wait until Briana was six months of age before feeding her cereal. The pediatrician's reasoning had to do with the fact that Briana was born prematurely. Because she was born prematurely, Briana's body has not exactly developed yet to where an actual baby who went to full term would be at six months of age. (Developmentally, Briana is seven weeks behind.) Plus, waiting longer to spoon-feed supposedly decreases the risk of developing allergies. I don't know if that is true or not, but it is what I have been told.

And okay, sure Karen and I are a little early because Briana is technically not six months yet until Friday, but we really couldn't wait any longer. Both Karen and I have noticed that breast milk and formula are simply not enough to keep Briana full. She keeps feeding and feeding. Apparently, she has my appetite.

So after a little visit to the grocery store, in which we purchased the rice cereal, we decided to give it a go and try feeding it to Briana. Interestingly enough, rice cereal is not what I expected it to look like. I was expecting more of a mushy consistency like porridge or something like that. Instead, rice cereal is actually pretty liquidity, probably because it is mixed in with a higher proportion of milk.

Anyway, it was an interesting feed. I think Briana wore more than she ate of the cereal, which was expected. We were told by Briana's physical therapist that the first few feedings of rice cereal would be an exploratory experience for Briana as she gets used to the texture of something different than the milk. (Hmm... I wonder if this is why so many of my friends have food issues...)

For anyone curious, I have been told that I did not like the taste of rice cereal when I was baby. My mother said she had to make other stuff for me to eat at that stage. It's weird having my mother help watch Briana while Karen and I work. I learn so many bizarre things about myself when I was a baby from my mother. Although I suppose if you asked my mom, she'd tell you that I was the perfect baby. My brother on the other hand... not so much.

Needless to say, today was just the first time Karen and I fed Briana rice cereal. Hopefully things will go well and Briana will feel full after eating.