When to Switch to Barley or Wheat Cereals?

We started with barley since it's less allergenic than rice. If rice is working well, there's really no reason to switch unless you're wanting to introduce new foods. If that's the impetus behind changing, then just introduce it like you would any other food.

Hi! I'd check with your pediatrician's office because introducing wheat or barley to early GREATLY increases the chance of celiac disease or allergic reactions.

You can switch once you see they are not having an allergic reaction to the cereal they are on. The reason for doing it slow and trying one at a time is, so you can watch for tollerance and if they are allergic. Good luck to you, and I hope for the best for you and your son!

Congrats on your new baby! When I was introducing my son to new foods his pediatrician said that it didn't matter necessarily what order you introduce them in -- just to make sure you give it a few days between new foods so you can see if they have a reaction to the food. You can introduce fruits and vegetables along with the grains. If you are really concerned, make sure you talk to your pediatrician about it.

Hi A.,

I love what the other Mamas have shared. Explore as long as allergies aren't a problem.

One challenge I did encounter when switching our now 9 month old to barley was it made her poop-- a lot!! Talking with girlfriend Mommys, they turn to barley when you need to make some magic happen. Our DD pooped up to 5 times a day, very abnormal for her.

So try the wheat and oatmeal and leave the barley for tougher situations.

Happy eating and much love,
A.

Adding barley is fine; there is a slightly increased chance of your baby developing coeliac disease if you introduce wheat too soon - but also if you introduce it after you stop breastfeeding. So use your judgement; just remember to add one food at a time a few days apart so you have time to notice any reactions and pinpoint them. Generally wheat, berries, dairy, honey, nuts, legumes and citrus are best left until after your baby is one year old, then introduced slowly, one at a time, just as you're introducing other foods now.
Good luck!
-N Wilson

Hi, A.! Congratulations on your new baby boy and all the joy he brings!
I would highly recommend a book called Super Baby Food; I'm sorry I can't remember the author's name...I'll try to look it up for you and send it on, but I think the last name starts with a Y. Anyway, it sounds as though you are organic-focused like I am, so I think you would really like this book. It helped me so much when I was starting my daughter on solid foods, and I plan to use it with my 5-month old son, too (he'll be starting solids pretty soon!). The book addresses when to start new foods, how to make them yourself (if you want to), why foods are introduced in the order they are, what benefits they have for baby, etc. It also gives great recipe ideas for toddler foods later on, and the whole book centers around healthy, fresh foods--I always bought organic, too!
Enjoy--it's awfully fun!
S.

The only rule I know of is when you introduce new foods, try it for 3-5 days before trying another new food. 3 weeks is plenty of time to move on. Does your family have a history of food allergies? If not --- the cereals are pretty safe. If so, skip the wheat cereal. There is no purpose to switching cereals except to have your child experience a variety of foods and tastes. How boring would it be to just eat rice cereal? Have fun!

Check out the book Super Baby Food by:Ruth Yaron
Great information.