When should I give my son baby cereal?

Question

My son is 3 weeks old and a few weeks and I was just wondering if it would be ok for me too put a little cereal in his milk. He does not seem too be satisfied with just the formula. My mother told me that I have to wait until he is about 3 mth's because if I give it too him now it might cause some serious problems with the baby.

Also, I have not been able to get enough sleep at night and someone told me if I put cereal in his milk he will sleep a lot longer. I am afraid to try it because I am not sure that it's a good idea however, I know a few women who has done this and nothing happened. I just need to hear some opinions about this, Did anyone try this and is the baby ok?

Thank you in advance for responding...

Answer 1

A baby shouldn't start on solids until 4 months at the absolute earliest (6 months is preferred). Anytime before that and the baby can't digest the food. Also it's believed to put them at higher risk of developing food allergies.
As far as putting cereal in the bottle...not a good idea. Not only at this age can they not digest it, but it will make getting too many calories "too easy" in a way, and can lead to childhood obesity.
Your baby is very young and needs to eat every couple of hours. His tummy is tiny (about the size of his fist) so he needs to eat a little bit very often even throughout the night. I sympathize with your need for sleep as I'm sure every mom out there can. Just know that you will be blessed with sleep some day again.
Since you're bottle feeding, is there someone else that can take the night shift or share it with you? Try also to sleep when the baby sleeps. I know that that can be hard to do because that's a great time to get laundry done, but sleep right now is more important.
Please make sure you read the article I referenced below. It will explain everything.

Answer 2

In Canada it is against the law to market baby food to babies under 6 months of age because it is a serious health risk

"B.25.061. (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall include on the label of a food any representation respecting the consumption of the food by an infant who is less than six months of age.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a human milk substitute or a new human milk substitute. "
http://lois.justice.gc.ca/en/f-27/C.R.C.-c.870/237574.html

There is absolutely no need to start solids, your son isn't "satisfied" because he is only 3 weeks old. He doen't know how this whole eating thing works yet, he is growing like crazy and his tummy is TINY and empties quickly. Cereal will only make him feel icky, like when you eat too much junk food and it sits like a rock in your stomach.

You will start getting more sleep at around 6 weeks. Just wait it out, it is the best thing for your baby.

Answer 3

I gave my girls cereal at a month old. I added a little to their bottle at night before bedtime. If you put some in your son's bottle use the rice cereal because it is the easiest to digest for infants. You should not give them other kinds of cereal until they are 6 to 9 months old. It will not hurt him just satisfy his hunger a little better.

Answer 4

I did that with my son..put a little cereal in his bottle. He was ok. I put in about a teaspoon though. He slept a little bit longer. It didn't seem to keep him satified much longer but I didn't want to over do it either. By the time he was 2-3 months I started with more cereal. But my son turned out fine.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, at 3 weeks old, they are not going to sleep for long periods of time...putting cereal in his milk may give him an upset stomach as his little tummy isn't developed enough to digest it properly...then, instead of a hungry crying baby, you will have a baby who has a tummy ache that you can't really fix, until it runs its course...Just sleep when the baby sleeps, eventually, he will start sleeping for longer periods of time...motherhood is tough sometimes...best wishes, and congratulations on your new little boy!

Answer 6

I tried this. I would put a bit (maybe 1 tablespoon or 2, depending on the amount of formula) of cereal in the last bottle before bedtime and use a cross-cut nipple. No trouble was caused to any of my babies and it did make a difference in their sleep.

Answer 7

i might want to surely ask your pediatrician, yet i don't think of it really is a difficulty. i began my son on cereal at 4 a million/2 months, and he slept with the help of the evening :) it really is a blessing. He had no problems with the cereal. I gave him only a tablespoon to commence with. make constructive it really is unmarried grain rice inspite of the actuality that, and purely blend it with the formulation to a sturdy consistency that is worry-free for him to swallow. My pediatrician stated that they many times advise waiting until eventually 6 months, yet they stated see you later as he universal it and did not spit it out, and if he opened his mouth at the same time as the spoon went close to his lips then it change into ok. And boy, he went top after that cereal :) sturdy success!

Answer 8

Please don't do it. A baby need 100 days to build up their body system. Your son are really too small for cereal. Right now, your wife and you would have to take turn to feed him during the night. Bear with it and this is part of the cycle you have to went through.

Answer 9

you need to follow your mothering instincts and do what you think it right for your baby. there is nothing wrong with putting a little bit of cereal in his milk. do what you think is best. I have done this before with both of my sons and they are just fine. good luck.

Answer 10

He's a little young still for cereal. However, why not try white grape juice with half water? I gave my daughter this because she just seemed thirsty, and did not necessarily want milk.