Let me let you in on a secret.  Most kids of 5 or 6 months of age *hate*
cereal.  That's why they throw it up.  There is no need for child of
this age to get cereal.  Cereal is one of the overrated overpriced food
items for children.  It ain't worth it.

The best way to start feeding a child, and we've been through this on
lactnet before, and I hold to it though others disagree, is to give the
child food in the parents' plates when the child tries to reach for it
and grab it.  This shows he is ready.  With few exceptions, peanuts, for
example, there is no reason that at 7 months the baby cannot have
anything at all, and will be much more likely to eat it, rather than
cereal.  And much less likely to throw it up.  Insisting on cereal is a
terrific way to start a "feeding problem", where the child will not eat
anything at all.  And the breastfeeding will be blamed and the mother
will be pressured to stop breastfeeding, because breastfeeding fills the
baby up.

No need to worry about the baby not eating for a few days and only
breastfeeding.

AAAARGH!!!! Check websites for articles on starting solid foods at:

http://www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm

http://www.bflrc.com/jn_arts.htm

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC