My baby is almost 3 months and he spits up his milk can i give him cereal??

Answer 1

If he is gaining and not upset by the spitting up then it does not require medical intervention. It will not cause long term problems and even severe spitting up may be normal for your baby.

However it is is hurting him, or he isn't gaining THEN you may wish to consider testing and medication.

Please read this:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/reflux.html

"Spitting up, sometimes called physiological or uncomplicated reflux, is common in babies and is usually (but not always) normal. Most young babies spit up sometimes, since their digestive systems are immature, making it easier for the stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus (the tube connecting mouth to stomach).

Babies often spit up when they get too much milk too fast. This may happen when baby feeds very quickly or aggressively, or when mom’s breasts are overfull. The amount of spitup typically appears to be much more than it really is. If baby is very distractible (pulling off the breast to look around) or fussy at the breast, he may swallow air and spit up more often. Some babies spit up more when they are teething, starting to crawl, or starting solid foods.

A few statistics (for all babies, not just breastfed babies):

Spitting up usually occurs right after baby eats, but it may also occur 1-2 hours after a feeding.
Half of all 0-3 month old babies spit up at least once per day.
Spitting up usually peaks at 2-4 months.
Many babies outgrow spitting up by 7-8 months.
Most babies have stopped spitting up by 12 months.
If your baby is a ‘Happy Spitter’ --gaining weight well, spitting up without discomfort and content most of the time -- spitting up is a laundry & social problem rather than a medical issue."

"What about thickened feeds?
Does it work? Thickened feeds can reduce spitting up, but studies have not shown a decrease in reflux index scores (i.e., the “silent reflux” is still present). Per Donna Secker, MS, RD in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease , "The effect of thickened feedings may be more cosmetic (decreased regurgitation and increased postprandial sleeping) than beneficial." Thickened feeds have been associated with increased coughing after feedings, and may also decrease gastric emptying time and increase reflux episodes and aspiration. Note that rice cereal will not effectively thicken breastmilk due to the amylase (an enzyme that digests carbohydrates) naturally present in the breastmilk. "

(much more if yoy click the link)

Answer 2

Yes, it is possible that you are doing some harm. When a doctor recommends cereal in the bottle for severe reflux, he's doing a risk vs. benefit calculation -- the risk of harm from the cereal is smaller than the risk of starvation if baby is unable to hold down his milk, or is refusing to eat due to the pain. Your baby doesn't have reflux, so there is no benefit in putting cereal in his bottle. If he's hungry, offer more formula -- for a 4 month old 5-6 ounces at a time isn't a problem. If you feel VERY strongly that you want to offer cereal, try giving it with a spoon, from a bowl. If he can sit up well and eat from the spoon, you could offer a teaspoon or so of cereal per day that way. EDIT: Even a pinch can cause baby to choke or gag if it thickens the formula. He's used to drinking liquid, and that's what he expects to get (And really, if it's so little that it doesn't make a difference in the thickness, what's the point? A half teaspoon of ground up rice has virtually no calories, so it isnt' going to 'fill him up' if he's really hungry.) Again, there is ZERO benefit. So even if the risk of choking is only one in a thousand ... why take it?

Answer 3

Ask your pediatrician.

As a rule of thumb, you aren't supposed to give cereal of any kind to a baby younger than four months, and six months is better. Your child has to be developmentally ready for solids.

Try this before you do anything else: take an ounce of water, and pour it on the kitchen counter. Looks like a lot, doesn't it? Is your baby spitting that much or more?

Also, is he gaining weight steadily? Is he a happy baby, or does he seem like he's in pain?

All babies spit. So if he's holding down most of his food, gaining weight, and isn't in pain, leave well enough alone. He's doing great.

And talk to your pediatrician before you make any changes, like introducing solids.

Answer 4

No absolutely not. Babies can only feed on milk until they are 6 months, then they can have cereal and semi-solid foods. The reason why he's spitting up is probably because the milk you're giving him is too hard on his tummy. Try buying formula for infants 0-3 months. Carnation good start usually has a good selection esp. for babies who easily have problems with their tummies. Make sure you get a good burp too cause that could also be a reason why he spits up.

Answer 5

Either your baby can't stand milk and possibly might be allergic. But it is also natural for once in a while for baby to spit out milk but if he spits out everytime he eats he is probably allergic. You can even try and give him lactose-free formula and see how he reacts to that. but i don't suggest that you give him just yet. But if it persists take into the emergency room especially if he losing a lot of weight. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

you should call the pediatrician. he may have some gastrointestinal problems. when my son was born he was 10lbs. 6 oz. and couldn't hold anything down. the doctor prescribed him some meds. but he lost so much wieght by the time he was a month old that i had to give him some cereal in his formula just so he can gain a little. of course i did not do this without consulting the pediatrician. your not supposed to give newborns cereal so soon, but in this case it helped him.

Answer 7

Take him to the doc and see if it's reflux, then the doc will probably give you the okay to put cereal in the bottles.

Enfamil now makes a formula that is thickened for babies who spit up.

Answer 8

i wouldnt. cereal wont fix the problem, actually it may make it worse. your son could be eating too much, which overwhelms his tummy, causing him to spit up. or, you may need to burp him more often while feeding, if he is formula fed try to burp him after every 1-2 oz, he drinks if he is breast fed, burp him after every few minutes. that may help. my daughter used to spit up after almost every feeding, i was told it was a phase and she would grow out of it, and it was true, she did, when she was about 4 months old. 3 month old babies are not ready for solids yet, you should wait until the baby is at least 6 months old unless a doctor tells you otherwise.

Answer 9

I agree with Michelle, maybe his stomach cant handle the one that you are giving him. Call his pediatrician and I'm sure he'll help you out a lot!! And no no cereal, he is way to small for that still. His stomach is not ready for it yet.

Answer 10

I'd suggest contacting your doctor...especially if your son is always spitting up his milk. Good luck :)