2006-09-21 18:07:59 · 21 answers · asked by cutie 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
every child is different and every parent has a different parenting technique. Personally, for my first child, at 3 months of age i started putting a teaspoon of rice pablum into his night bottles. Just enough to put something solid in his tummy to hold him through the night. If i remember correctly the formula still flowed through the nipple... as i increased the amount of pablum i had to increase the size of holes in the nipple. You must be careful not to start with too much at once, as it will make his tummy sore from stretching it. his tummy will recognize the solids but he himself will not and could cause him to overeat and get cranky from being overful. Start small and increase as required. You will have to make sure the nipple isn't getting plugged up - a hungry baby is not a patient baby. One tsp with bedtime bottle will not harm anything. Just watch his poops to make sure it doesn't cause constipation. If constipation occurs decrease the amount of pablum (waiting 3-5 days between making changes) until his system gets use to digesting the solids. As a mother of 4 aged 11yrs, 8yrs, 3yrs and 2yrs i can honestly say it never hurt mine any. Good Luck to you and only do what YOU think is o-kay to do. Do what you feel comfortable with.
2006-09-21 18:37:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started rice cereal with both of my children at age 1 week, as per the drs orders.. 1st because he was soooo hungry all the time, and the second because of acid reflux.. there is no problem with giving them up to a tablespoon per ounce of formula.. we gave more to the youngest but only to thicken the formula for reflux.. also there are many baby foods you can if you feel comfortable enough to start, just talk to your dr about it.. they will tell you what to start.. we were giving my oldest applesauce and greenbeans at that point.. with the youngest we waited until he was 8 months to do anything other than cereal and formula only because he has a cows milk and soy intollerence and is on prescription formula...
2006-09-22 11:27:42 · answer #2 · answered by steveangela1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not recommend it with getting a Doctor's opinion first but having said that...........I used to put small amounts in the bottle and enlarge the nipple hole. If they can't deal with it they throw up and you don't do it for a little while. They sleep much longer as they are satisfied. A child of 5 1/2 is usually ready for formula in any event. If you are concerned with choking just mix about 2 Tbs. in a bowl with the formula. Good Luck and pleasant dreams......you certainly deserve it by now!
2006-09-22 01:13:26 · answer #3 · answered by dogloverdi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kids were hungry enough for cereal when they were like 4 months old. We just made it in a bowl really runny and fed with a spoon. Then after about a week, we started adding a bit of baby food bananas or applesauce to the cereal also. Kids never slept better since they weren't so hungry all night anymore.
2006-09-22 04:01:02 · answer #4 · answered by eddweeness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I remember about feeding my children when they were infants is that giving the baby a tablespoon of cerel or two is okay once they can sit up. Until your baby sits up, I would put 1/2 to 1 tablespoons in formula. Now because you have added something to thicken the formula, you will need a bottle nipple that is larger than usual.
2006-09-22 02:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by jcjnunley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors normally don't recommend this because of the choking hazard and the higher risk of obesity in children. However, I have to put it in my son's bottles to help with his reflux. The heavier food stays in his stomach. I have to mix his very thick, about 1 ounce of cereal to 4 ounces of formula. If you are just starting I would only mix a teaspoon or two to 4 ounces of formula. Make sure that the nipple hole is bigger to let the thicker formula through, but not big enough for it to flow out freely. I just use the fast flow nipples with the x shaped hole, and I don't have to cut it. It will help the baby stay full longer and sleep better, but there is a risk of obesity involved. If your baby is satisfied with just formula, I would only feed it to her with a spoon. Definately check with your doctor first in case their are any risk factors involved in your specific case. Good luck!!
2006-09-22 01:44:25 · answer #6 · answered by momoftwo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no doctor but here's what I would do. Open the nipple hole just a tad larger so the baby doesn't choke.
Use around one quarter (25 percent) cereal to three quarters formula, but I used to add oatmeal cereal, so if the rice is bigger you may have to grind it in a blender before adding it. Or after if that's mre convenient but frankly, I think oatmeal is less refined carbs and you don't have to grind it. Mixes great with the formula and helps fill the baby's tummy. I think 5 and a half months is perfect!!!!
Lucky you!
2006-09-22 01:15:32 · answer #7 · answered by MARTHA D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO. Nothing other than formula until at least 6 months... because a baby is not born with an immune system. It starts functioning at 6 months. Food before hand can make your baby very sick. Not worth risking that.
2006-09-22 03:59:45 · answer #8 · answered by Danielle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did that with my son when he was about the same age, the doctor told me 1 Tbs to 4 oz of formula, you do not want the formula to be thick.
My son had a hard time staying asleep this helped because he stayed fuller longer. You may have to buy a special nipple for the bottle, but what I did was cut a small x at the top and it worked just fine. I hope this was helpful.
2006-09-22 01:18:40 · answer #9 · answered by Lace 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it is not OK babies can breath in some of the cereal and can get into their lungs. at your baby's age you can start giving the baby cereal by a spoon. just make it a little watery at first. it may take a couple of days for the baby to get the hang of it but they will. on the box it tell you how mix the cereal for first time feedings. it is not safe to enlarge the hole in your baby's bottle nipple the flow is to fast and they can choke.
2006-09-22 11:48:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋