Why do you put cereal in a baby bottle?

Parents and caregivers who put cereal in baby bottles often believe the additional calories help the baby sleep better through the night. However, according to Parenting, this does not work. A baby is not ready for solids until she is between four and six months of age.

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the addition of cereal to most babies' bottles. Before they are four months old, babies' digestive systems cannot handle solid food. Thick liquids sometimes make infants gag, which possibly leads to inhalation of the foods. When cereal is placed in a baby's bottle, it is more difficult to determine how many calories are being taken in, so overfeeding is a concern.