Should You Give Packaged Cereal to Your Baby Every Day? Why Daily Use Is a Problem

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video explains what happens if you give a packaged baby cereal to your child regularly, on a daily basis. The problem: The child starts taking only the cereal and does not eat natural food — rice, dal, vegetables, fruits. This happens because the cereal is sweet and has an additional quantity of sugar in it, and sugar is not good for children. The long-term issue: If you use it daily, the child eats only that and does not eat normal food. Because of this, later on you will not be able to bring the child onto family pot feeding — whatever you are eating at breakfast, lunch and dinner, the child should also be eating the same food as their parents. Giving packaged cereal daily creates a chance of this difficulty later. The doctor's advice: Even if you are giving it on a daily basis, give it only once a day. Do not give it at all three meal times, because this can cause the above problem later on. Relevant for: parents giving their baby a packaged cereal daily and asking whether it is fine; parents whose child refuses rice, dal, vegetables or fruits and eats only packaged cereal; parents concerned about added sugar in baby food; parents wanting to move their child onto family food; and parents asking how many times a day packaged cereal can be given. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician about your child's feeding plan, especially if your child is a fussy eater, has poor weight gain, or an existing health condition.