I guess I have to agree with Jack about cereal for the most part. Agreeing with Jack isnt the worst think in the world :-). I was taught that rice cereal is used as the first food because of it being a less allergenic food, of course anyone who really believes this wouldnt use abm. Also its a source of iron but so is meat. On a personal note I felt my son was ready for solids when as Jack says he started reaching for food of my or my wifes plate. Ironic for him to do this at 5 months at the DC LLLI conference. Nothing like trying to listen to Mariam Labbock while he was trying to grab my food. So I could have given him some but like a good pediatrician I was he came home and was given cereal mixed with breast milk. He loved it! Actually he plan loves food. I like it as a source of iron/vitamins for picky eaters and personally like it myself with cows milk. So I like cereal and I like cows milk. Im pro-circ too, nobody is perfect. -Rob