My baby is 12 weeks old and is eating 3.5-3.75 oz. every 2.75-3 hours. People keep telling me it's ok to add a little rice cereal to his bottle at bedtime or in the morning to "fill him up." My doctor had indicated to wait until he's eating 32 oz a day and is 4-6 months. Right now he's sort of sleeping through the night (some days but not all). I hesitate because he has a sensitive tummy and he's not 4 months yet. Advice please!
2006-07-10 06:04:20 · 23 answers · asked by Amy L 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
No, it is *never* okay to put anything but pure liquid (pumped milk or water) into a bottle. It is also never okay to give anything but human milk (or formula) to a baby under the age of *6* months. Lastly, it is really not good to give so-called "baby foods" to a child of any age. Real food is tastier and more nutritious.
2006-07-10 06:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son has reflux. His Dr. told me to add rice cereal to his bottle when he was about 2 months old. It helps to fill babies up and keep their food down. I would use 1-2 teaspoons of cereal in a 4 oz. bottle. Now I put 3-4 teaspoons of cereal in an 8 oz. bottle for him. He's almost 1 now, and he's perfectly healthy. He's not overweight due to the cereal or anything.
I would let the Dr. know what you are planning on doing, good luck!!
2006-07-10 06:10:42 · answer #2 · answered by Jacob's Mommy (Plus One) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a 3-4 month old baby should eat 4 oz every 2-3 hours. That's normal. Adding cereal would be if your child is eating more or spits up often. It's up to you. You're the parent.
2006-07-10 06:19:21 · answer #3 · answered by a.kranz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a little cereal in the bottle is OK for a 12 week old. Ratio would be one tablespoon per 2 ounces of fluid. Make sure the bottle nipple is opened up a little more so milk/rice can get through. I recommend doing it with the bedtime feeding.
2006-07-10 06:11:22 · answer #4 · answered by julesl68 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want something a little heavier try Enfamil A.R. Lipil. It has a little bit of rice cereal already added to the formula, so you won't have to guess how much. It says it helps with babies who spit up frequently-and it does. It helps with my son. You just need to be sure you mix it well and used it right away-when stored it tends to get clumps.
I understand your doctors viewpoint, but professionals disagree on many things pertaining to babies. If you are worried-do some in depth research online. You can find the pros and cons.
If your child is eating fine, than there may not be a need to give him any at all-especially if he mostly sleeps through the night-you are blessed!
2006-07-10 06:15:19 · answer #5 · answered by Alison 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son saw a nutritionist since he was 5 weeks early and she said that you should not give a baby cereal in a bottle. She said that the cereal sucks up all the nutrition and vitamins from the bottle. She said that if you are going to give them cereal, then it needs to be from a spoon. My son is 5 months and she said the max he can have is 4 tablespoons a day. I hope that helps!
2006-07-10 07:32:35 · answer #6 · answered by hikerchick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely not. at 4 months he should only be having formula or breastmilk and your doctor is exactly on for the daily amount, both public health and my doctor told me the very same amount. In about a 5-6 months you can start giving him rice cereal seperately and only if he is sitting. When you do start him on cereal we were told by both the doctor and public health to go rice, barley, oatmeal, wheat. My son had a sensitivity to oatmeal until he was over 12 months old, now he will be 2 in October and loves instant oatmeal.
2006-07-10 06:40:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cool to give the flake rice cereal in the box that ya mix with the formula, not the jar kind!
but do not put it in the bottle!
take about 1 oz of the formula from the bottle, add rice flakes till still runny and spoon feed.
feeding out of bottle not good when solids introduced and the sooner they use a spoon the better.
i only gave it to mine the feeding before bedtime, it helped her sleep longer as she did not get hungry
doctors are nuts tellin ya not to feed em until they are older....all of our parents did and we are just fine
try it...works great, but only one time a day for now
good luck and congrats on the new baby!
2006-07-10 06:12:29 · answer #8 · answered by CC Babydoll 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's OK to add the cereal to his bottle, but I would recommend you put some in a bowl with a little formula. You will be surprised how early your baby can eat from a spoon. I have been feeding my daughter from a spoon since she was 10 weeks.
2006-07-10 10:27:24 · answer #9 · answered by Fee_I_Am 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would never add any food to a baby's bottle. you should not start solid food on a regular basis until your baby can suck the food off a baby spoon. this is especially true if your child has a sensitive tummy. you have the rest of his life to give him all kinds of other foods, so just enjoy this time when you can just give him a bottle and he's happy. and your doctor should be the one who's advice you follow. they are going to know what is medically best for your child.
i refused to give my kids solids until i felt they were ready, usually at about 6-7 months and then only fed them sitting up in a high chair or something. they all were sleeping through the night long before they got solids and none of them have any food allergies. this is in comparison with my neice and nephew, both of whom were given rice or oatmeal in their bottles. both of them are now about 2 years old and have yet to sleep through the night on a regular basis and have bad food allergies, especially to grains.
2006-07-10 06:15:19 · answer #10 · answered by buhing513 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋