Very hungary baby?

Question

I know alot of mother are strickly against what i am going to ask but, I have a 8 week old baby who has been on SMA white for about 5 weeks now, he has 7 oz in his bottle every 3 to four hours and for the last week has been wanting more food. I have tried giving him water which he has 3 oz of every day to avoid constipation, so i know he is not thirsty. for the last three nights I have been giving him 1/4 of a tsp of rice in his milk at night and it seems to have settled him. The question I am asking is. Is this a wrong thing to do and how many other mothers give their babies rice ?

Just to clarify the answer given by "Momma". I am not watering down my babies formula. I was given strick instruction to give my baby water to prevent constipation from my Health Visitor because she told me that formula can give some babies constipation

Answer 1

I'm an RN and please let me reassure you that a little rice as you are feeding is healthy. Always follow your instincts. You may make a few mistakes along the way as a parent. But, NOT following your instincts is the BIGGEST mistake you could ever make. Both of my children had a hunger like this, too, as this age and I did exactly what you are doing and my pediatrician concurred completely. AND, neither one of the children grew up demented or deformed. Enjoy that baby. I'm always so proud of young parents who follow their instincts. They tend to produce the most lovely children in the long run.

Answer 2

have you tried going up to sma gold, try that for a few weeks, if that doesnt work speak to your gp or health visitor. how big was he when he was born. my son was 10lb 12oz and he was a hungry baby i breast fed though but i explained to the doc n he said although general its not advised i could probs start to give him some baby rice in his food (was 10 weeks old) as he was such a big baby his digestive system could probably handel it, i didnt start giving him baby rice though until he was about 3 n half month. but that is what the doc advised me and i wouldnt suggest you accept this as an appropriate answer i seriously do suggest talkin to doc or health visitor and changing formula milk like i say to sma gold or perhaps to cow and gate plus (blu) i found when i did decide to use formula that cow and gate filled up my son more than sma but this wasnt til about 4 months ish which is when i changed from using breast milk to mix with baby rice to formula as well. hope this helps

Answer 3

giving your baby water is like giving them food with no vitamins so they think they are full but they have not gotten any nutrients from the water or anything to actually fill them

babies automatically go through growth spurt where they eat alot to improve milk production just because you are not breastfeeding doesn't mean the natural reflex for them to eat alot to make you make more milk goes away

also its common knowledge now that babies cannot digest solids (rice) until 4 months and that if you give it to them before that then you are increasing their chances of obesity

if your son is so hungry give him formula instead water (which you should be doing anyways bc 1.5 million formula fed babies around the world die a yr from parents watering down formula amoungst other things) you won't have to give him water to avoid constipation if your not giving him rice. If formula alone caused constipation then i am sure the companies would do something about it

it seems to me your causing all the problems your trying to fix why don't you just follow the doctors advice and if you don't believe him maybe you should get a pediatrcian but they do studies for a reason

obviously giving baby water and adding water to formula is almost the same thing rice cereal constipates did you tell your health person you were giving that to your baby she would have told you to stop that instead of giving baby water get some brains

Answer 4

I started giving my baby rice I believe at 4 months, maybe 3 1/2. Babies sometimes don't know when they're full. You must regulate their intake as not to over-feed, Have you asked your pediatrician?
My mom would feed the baby and suddenly she'd go from 6oz to 8 or 9! Then she'd throw up.
She now eats well, actually she tries to fight me on eating at times cos she's too busy discovering the world (at 8 months) just remember that it is up to you to give him/her a good nutrition and not make food a comfort that will later be used as a clutch.

Answer 5

I used an infant feeder instead of putting the cereal in the bottle. I started my son on cereal at 8 weeks. If he's acting hungry and cereal fills him up, USE IT!!!! Get the kind that is fortified with iron though. If he ends up being a little chubby (I always thought my son was FAT) he will work it off once he starts crawling and scooting and then walking. My son just started cruising and he's already starting to thin out. I would also try watered down apple juice to prevent constipation. I, too had to face mothers (and doctors) who were against cereal at such a young age. Once we figured out he had no allergic reaction to it, I kept him on it and so far he has turned out fine with a nice healthy appetite and no other allergies.

Answer 6

I don't think you are wrong, and I don't think it will do any harm. When my son was born, advice on weaning was 16 weeks, I weaned him on rice at 12, because he was drinking bottlesand bottles of sma white,and waking in the night hungry. I gave him about a teaspoon of rice mixed with formula, using a spoon, just before bed. By the time my daugher came along, it had changed to 6 months. Well, she was weaned at 4, I think if a baby is hungry, then give them food.
Our mothers probably gave us food at a much earlier age, I know mine used to cut bigger holes in the teat to let the rice out quicker!

Answer 7

I gave baby rice to both my boys from 8 weeks, as you are doing just a teaspoon just before bed time.....and i have a very healthy 7 year old and 2 year old who are not over weight.
The thing with SMA white is it just lays heavier in their tummies and takes a bit longer to digest its not necessary more filling.
I did not put the baby rice in their bottle I gave it to them on a spoon, which actually helped them get used to feeding which in turn helped when i weaned them (both at 4 months) follow you instincts not what other people want to tell you. As long as its just baby rice - well like I say both my boys are healthy and well xx

Answer 8

youre doing the right thing if baby is hungry you have to give him what satisfies him,my daughter is almost 8 and when she was 12 wks she was eating real rice and chicken,iweaned as soon as poss cos she was so hungry.and ive done the same with my two boys also and they at like horses,though to clarify,not one of them are overweight,keep doing doing what your doing and your baby will thrive.just a little tip,dnt listen to the midwife about feeding habits cos most have no kids and no 1st hand experience,use your own judgement and good luck!!!!

Answer 9

Have you tried SMA Gold it is a more satisfiying milk for hungrier babies? If he is going to the toilet ok then i should keep on giving it to him that is the rice i mean....... good luck and always do what you think is best for your child!!!

Answer 10

ur doing fine ive had all 3 of my kids on the rice cereal b4 2 months my youngest is 6 weeks and ive had him on it and baby food 4 3weeks sometimes they just dont get full and ur the momma u know whats best for your baby congrats on your baby