What's SO wrong with giving Rice Cereal to a young baby?

Question

I searched "Rice Cereal" here on ANSWERS and you Mommies are so adamant about NO RICE CEREAL, but why? What EXACTLY is so wrong with it? My 2 1/2 week old weighs almost 12 pounds (she was 10lbs, 9oz at birth) and is always so hungry! She's not "fat," just pretty big for her age. I'm breastfeeding her and supplementing with soy formula as well, about 8 oz per day. She takes 5-10 minute naps most of the day and sleeps in about 45-60 minute spurts at night. She will take two one hour naps during the day and again around 3:30 - 4:30 a.m. OUCH.

A good friend of my Mom's (a Labor & Delivery Nurse / Neonatal Head of nursing for 20 years) suggested giving her Rice Cereal. She says (and I agree), "Some babies are just very hungry!" I did it once today (1 tblsp. in 1 oz. as directed on the box) and I've never seen my baby look so satisfied. So please explain why this is so bad, besides just saying "THAT IS REALLY BAD!!," etc. Thanks!

Answer 1

Starting cereal this early in her life isn't a good idea. Despite her weight and the amount she is consuming, her gastrointestinal tract is still immature, and introducing another foreign protein in cereal can predispose her to allergies later on.

At this stage of her physical development, formula is still the only food a formula-fed infant should get. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months with gradual introduction of solid foods in the second six months for a breastfed baby, and introduction of solid foods between 4 and 6 months for a formula-fed infant.

Some of the signs that your baby is ready for solids are an ability to sit fairly well in a high chair as well as take food off a spoon and transfer it to the back of her mouth. This means the disappearance of the tongue-thrust reflex (where the baby pushes most of the food put into her mouth down her chin with her tongue). The final signal is an interest in food.

You also run the risk of choking. Trust the experts and talk to any pediatrician (Current) today. They will always say no cereal before 4 months. I studied this in early childhood development at school and I have 3 children.

Answer 2

When you start to give food to a baby you are opening up a can or worms for digestive and allergic reactions. Frankly, I cannot believe a health care professional gave you that advice: the child is too young for anything other than sterile water and breast milk or formula. Giving her food could make your life miserable when she has tummy problems and food allergies or worse.

She is not going to sleep any better with a belly full of food than she does right now with milk or formula.

You really do need to speak to a pediatrician because giving your baby food can really be a tragic mistake.

Also, if the baby is so large she does not need to get larger. You could be setting a bad precedent for her in regard to dietary issues in later life.

Answer 3

You do whats good for you and your baby. To many people are quick to jump on someone else is throat bc of their practices. Back in the 80's Dr. would tell you to do that but now they have opted not to as well as water. I was told not to give a child water until they are 1.

I think you are going to do whats best IN your childs interest and wether anyone agrees with you or not is up to them.

Personally I wouldnt do it but thats my personal choice bc a baby's stomach is not ready for such a heavy food like rice cereal. Their digestive system is barely getting adjusted to milk but thats my personla opinion and why I opted to wait until my oldest was 9 months to even introduce cereal but liek I said thats my personal choice and I would never bash someone who does diffrently

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with it. It can cause ecessive weight gain in some babies but there is nothing wrong with it. If it is so bad then why did Enfamil come out with it's AR (added rice) Formula. It is for babies that spit up a lot. All three of my kids had GERD and had to have rice put in their bottles, per their doctor, and it didn't hurt them. Maybe some of you people that think (or know) it is so bad should write Enfamil a letter about their AR Formula and let them know how bad it is for babies.

Answer 5

I don't see anything wrong with it. Some dr's suggest waiting till 4 months, and that's fine if the baby isn't hungry all the time. Some dr's suggest waiting till SIX months, and I personally (mother of three) think that's too long, but it's just my opinion.

My 2nd son couldn't take the cereal too soon, it made him sick. He couldn't digest it.

Test it out. .. make it very, very runny. There are nipples out there with openings for cereal with formula. Just make it VERY VERY VERY runny, their little tummies need VERY LITTLE to be filled up. Try it out, but I suggest trying it in the morning so you are up through the day and can see how it effects your daughter. Good luck!!

Answer 6

I don't think there is anything wrong with giving your baby rice cereal at the age she is now. I gave it to my daughter when she was 3 wks old. As long as she seems to be digesting it well and doesn't get a tummy ache, I see nothing wrong. Sometimes breastmilk just does not fill a baby up. It didn't fill mine up that's why i started giving her cereal. Make sure that is just plain cereal though... not the kind with oatmeal or applesauce b/c that is the one that babies are the least likely to have allergies to.

She may start to sleep longer too b/c she will be more full.

Good luck, let me know how it goes.

Answer 7

My doctor didn't want me to give my nursed baby rice cereal at 4months because he is nursed and he said that nursed babies tummy's aren't ready for something so heavy. I had to start him out on veggies when he started eating.
But that is where I am coming from that's what I was told by my baby's doctor and our friend who is a pediatrician.
All babies are different so whatever you feel more comfortable with and if your baby is fine with it I would do it to.

Answer 8

my doctor always said to give the babies rice cereal because it would not upset their stomachs. If they were still hungry I used to mix it with applesauce and give it to them. Of course this was 20 yrs ago. but my girls turned out fine with no eating problems. I also used to put l tblsp in their bottles at bedtime. My children were 6 lbs 11 oz and 6 lbs 6 oz. at birth and were always hungry. I didn't breast feed either of them.

Answer 9

The risks are: potential choking, and the potential for developing diabetes (some studies show this). I think it's too young and unnecessary. Babies as young as yours only need breastmilk or formula.

However, you should talk this over with your pediatrician. You'll get tons of conflicting information from well-meaning people responding to this question.

I think people will argue about this until the cows come home. Find a pediatrician you trust, discuss this (and your daughter's growth) with him or her and set up a feeding plan with their counsel.

Answer 10

Well, it can cause digestive problems when solids are introduced too early, there are studies that show early (at the age of your daughter) being given solids like cereal leads to obesity, and it can cause things like acid reflux and indigestion which can lead to excess gas (lots of pain for baby) and constipation (which can be serious). So, there are plenty or actual reasons not to give her cereal. My family all pushed me to do it, and when I asked the doctor she gave me some reading material on it and told me no. I never did! Good Luck, hope you choose the right option!