But he never stops eating, and he gets very angry if I try to use a nuk to pacify him.. this is my first child and I want to know what I can do to satiate him. Dr. said cereal in his milk (hes breast and bottle fed) but he gets gassy from that. I am afraid the give him gerber foods cuz hes so young and I'd fear food allergies..
hes been able to lift his head since birth and has pretty darn good control..
my mom said my sister was on applesauce pretty young but i am not even sure about that. any one?
2006-08-28 15:32:38 · 35 answers · asked by Bonnie 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The more you feed him with cereal in his milk the more he will gain. My baby gained a lot of weight after feeding him with cereal in his milk. You will have to set them on a time schedule. They shouldnt eat but every 4 hours at this time. Then at night you can give them cereal in their formula for them to get filled up and sleep all night. The hospital and my pediatrician advised me of this.
2006-08-28 15:37:47 · answer #1 · answered by Keith Perry 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Some babies like to nurse for comfort, not just for food. Yes, it can be frustrating and it seems like that's all you ever do. But babies have a need to suckle, and sometimes a pacifier doesn't do the trick. There is such a thing as a "non-nutritive suck" which means that a minimal amount of milk will be extracted during that time, possibly no milk at all. The nipple on a real live mommy is much nicer than any nuk could ever be.
My oldest wouldn't take a bottle or a pacifier, and while it made my job harder, she is now a very healthy and smart 2 year old. Sure, my house was a disaster area (hadn't discovered a good sling yet!), but my baby was H A P P Y! Remember that they are only little for a short amount of time, so enjoy the nursing while you can. In no time, he'll be up exploring and won't want to nurse so often.
A tip to getting more done while you're nursing-- use a sling! I love using a Moby Wrap for getting stuff done when I feel like all I'm doing is nursing, and I have some minor cleaning or laundry to do. Man, I wish I had discovered this when my first was new.
Breastfed babies should not get cereal or other solid foods before 6 months of age. Your baby isn't suckling so much due to hunger most likely, but because your baby has a need to suckle and YOU are the only suckle he wants! Please don't give your baby any more solids (even rice cereal) until 6 months of age. It is not necessary and can cause not only food allergies, but diabetes and GI tract problems later in life as well.
2006-08-29 20:28:58 · answer #2 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He doesn't sound like he is gaining weight too fast. The normal rate is 1/4 - 1/2 lb per week in the first 2 months - which works out to be 2 - 4 lbs, so I think your son is fine.They really, really slow down after the first few months. Usually that first appointment you are amazed but they cannot continue to gain at that rate (or as an adult we'd all weigh like 1000 lbs...)
As for giving his solids, I wouldn't - you are increasing the chance that he will end up with allergies and a 2 month old really doesn't need anything but b-milk or formula. Their little tummies aren't developed for it. I know your mom and my mom did things diefferntly, but they have done so much more research and now just don't recommend that you start solids before at least 4 months, even if they do have great head control.
Have you tried a different pacifier? I know different babies like different pacifiers and maybe you can find one that he likes better.
Good luck - these young months are so great!
2006-08-28 17:54:00 · answer #3 · answered by Katie R 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son was the same way.
Since your baby had good head control and is probably a little more physically advanced then the average 2 month old. Skip the cereal in the bottle.
Make it thick enough for him to eat of a spoon. My son knew exactly what to do and never choked.
Try using breastmilk instead of formula to mix with the cereal. You can use a reclining highchair to feed him in or a bouncy seat works pretty good, just support it so he can't bounce.
Also avoid letting him lay down after he eats. Keep him up in a sitting/reclined position, this will help with the gas.
But his system will get used to the cereal.
My son started on veggies and fruit by 3 1/2 months.
Good Luck!
2006-08-28 16:02:35 · answer #4 · answered by ktwister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son was 6lbs 10 oz when he was born, he doubled his weight by 2 1/2 months. it seemed no matter how much i fed him it just wasn't enough, so i switched to formula and that still wasn't enough, i started him on cereal and baby food around that time, his doctor said they need all of the calories from you or formula, so i give him cereal in his bottle once in the morning. and about an hour before bed i will give him baby food, but other than that he get his formula, my fiance started his son on food around 3 months, and he is now 10 and has no food allergies and is perfectly healthy. my son was 17 lbs at his last appointment, he is only 4 1/2 months old, so i think some babies just know what is best for them, he has also had really good head control since he was born. i hope this is helpful
2006-08-28 17:07:04 · answer #5 · answered by CEM421 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! A big boy!! :-) Congratulations on your new baby!
Actually, my son was the same way. He was only 7lbs 3.5 oz when he was born. I breastfed him too, but he was ALWAYS hungry!!! I supplemented with formula because I figured that would fill him up but that didn't really help so I started him on rice cereal. I still breastfed him, but I mixed the rice cereal in with the formula. It kinda takes a bit to get the right consistancy. Make sure you have plenty of nipples on hand as well because you're going to have to open up the hole a little bit so the cereal can get through.
Rice cereal is the best to start off with because there's less chance of him having an allergic reaction to it.
And don't worry about what other people tell you. Lots of folks are going to say that any type of solid food is a no-no until he's 4 months, but to heck with that. They're not the one's listening to your baby cry because he's hungry! I had to listen to the same criticism...but my son is 7 now and is perfectly healthy!
The formula might be giving him bad gas. Sometimes just switching to another brand or a special type for colicky babies helps. Make sure you watch what you eat too. Broccoli and onions and other gassy veggies like that will also cause your baby to be gassy. Talk to your son's pediatrician again and see if he/she has any other ideas!
Good luck! And hang in there!! It will get better!! Take it from someone who knows!
********Edited to add:
OMG! Your baby is not going to be obese! It's not like you're going to overfeed him or force feed him! Feed him until he's full...and you already know by now, that he will tell you when he's done! Listen to you're baby's cues and you will be fine. If the pediatrician doesn't have a problem with his weight/height ratio, then you shouldn't either!
2006-08-28 15:50:56 · answer #6 · answered by my_lil_buttercups 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, here's the thing you need to do asap with your doctor or pediatrician - make sure you mention his size at birth and mention your concern about his always being hungry and mention low blood sugar...
One of the triggers to hunger in people and especially infants in the lowering of blood sugar in the body system. Many hosptitals are testing blood sugar right off when a baby is born - especially babies over 8 pounds for low blood sugars.
This may not be the problem but should be looked into now - your child may be having abnormal low blood sugars triggering his hunger more often and thereby causing him to over eat. Only your pediatrician and testing will let you know for sure.
Now, my son was 11 pounds 2 oz. when he was born and he had no problems but seemed to need to eat more and gain a little more but it all seemed like muscle and bone for him. All was well. He also seemed to be ahead physically than other babies. On the other hand, I had a nephew that was 9 pounds and 3 oz. and he required some special help for the first six months because of his blood sugars - something to do with delayed development of a certain area of his body system.
Since you are concerned - talk to your pediatrician and please mention the terms I have put forth...
2006-08-28 15:52:07 · answer #7 · answered by Mother Hen 1961 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son started cereal in his formula at 5 weeks. He weighed 9 lbs when he was born. He gained weight fast too. My pediatrician said to put 1 tablespoon of rice cereal for every 2 ounces of formula/milk. He ate every 3 hours and 4 ounces at a time. I wouldn't give your baby baby food yet just because he probably won't eat it. Babies that young still push food out with their tongues, they don't know how to swallow it yet. I wouldn't worry about the weight gain. My son was 27 pound at 1 yr. Our doctor said he is fine. As long as he climbs the chart at an even pace and your doctor isn't concerned you shouldn't be either. Babies are too young for diets.
2006-09-04 17:53:19 · answer #8 · answered by Nate's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK his size is not a huge deal!!! I have two kids who were big babies and I was always concerned they were over weight but the doctor is like they are fine. My kids dad is a tall, big guy so they get their body structure from him. Now I neve fed my kids food until about 6 mos but I know many people use rice cereal when they are this young but be sure to talk to the doc before hand.
2006-09-04 19:54:01 · answer #9 · answered by anjelahoy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try adding a little of that Gerber rice cereal to his bottles. I'm speaking from my own experience. I had a little porker too that was a bottomless pit. My pediatrician actually suggested that to me. Just start with a teaspoon for every 3 ounces he drinks just to introduce the rice to his system. When he's about 3 or 4 months you could actually mix some in a bowl and feed him with a spoon.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
2006-08-28 15:39:31 · answer #10 · answered by Kesh 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He definitely isn't ready for foods yet. It is questionable that the doctor recommended cereal despite all that has been learned about the link to food allergies if fed foods too early. Feed him as much as he wants of his bottle or the breast, burp him, and if he is still hungry, offer more! He will take all he needs, and he will not overfill himself. Let him take as long as he wants to feed. Some babies are extremely fussy, some just eat larger amounts earlier. Good luck! I hope this helps. Stick to formula and/or breast milk, and you will be better off in the long run. Just let him continue to feed as long as he needs. Your baby will not become obese!!! lol
2006-08-28 16:31:15 · answer #11 · answered by alone1with3 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋