how old should your baby be before putting cereal in formula?

Question

my mom says i should mix some in my sons formula when hes about a month old but only in his feedings before we go to bed to help him sleep better, this seems really early to me, is this ok to do? or when should i start? he is 15 days old,i thought you didnt start that till after a few months

Answer 1

I just recently started my daughter on baby cereal. She is 4 months old going on 5 months. This is around the best age to start them on baby cereal whether on its own mixed with formula or it the bottle. And yes, it helps them sleep better because they have a full happy belly. So, hold off on it for now because his stomach may not be ready for something as heavy as cereal.

Answer 2

Back in the day parents didn't introduce solids at all for the first year, then formula came along. Then baby foods came along. Pretty soon parents thought introducing solids early was a good thing and thought that babies would sleep better and earlier. I know my brother was getting cereal at 2 weeks old.

Then people started researching what actually happens when you introduce solids to early, higher increase in diabetes, higher instance of being overweight, stomach problems, amongst others.

The new guide lines are to not introduce anything other than breastmilk or formula for the first 6 months. Some doctors and parents are still under the "old school" that will tell you go ahead... Then there are the people, like me, that are thought of as radicals because I do not introduce any solids for the entire first year.

Do some looking around on the internet and get a few good books from the library and come up with your own ideas.

kellymom.com is a good place to start

Answer 3

You should never put the cereal in his bottle. This has been shown to cause diabetes and hyperactivity. The high level of liquid charges the sugars in the cereal, and makes it extremely sweet. Also, you are correct that he is too young. Babies digestive tracts are very immature, and can not handle the cereal. It is much harder to break down. It can lead to food allergies. It is best to wait. A good general rule of thumb is not to go by age alone, but development as well. A baby is ready to start solids when:
1. he has doubled her birth weight
2. he can sit well with support
3. he can move the food to the back of the mouth with his tongue
4. he shows interest in other foods, like what you are eating
5. he is drinking 2 oz for every pound he weights in a 24hr period, and is still hungry.

These are just guidelines because every baby is different. Most babies achieve these things between 4 and 6 months.

Answer 4

You should not start giving your baby cereal until 4 months of age. You should only give your baby formula until 4 Months. 4-6 Months is the rice cereal and after that you can start introducing other foods.

Answer 5

First to most early answer she is talking about putting it in a bottle not trying to give her child solids.

Now to answer the question.
I start when my daughter was 2 months, it was just a tablespoon to 6 ounce of formula and it did help her sleep through the night. Each baby is different. My child is doing fine in the 95 % all around and the doctors are very pleased with her. The small amount of cereal to formula just makes it more filling nothing else doesn't make it to much thicker and as long as you watch the little one while eating there aren't any problems. Its a personal choice, it is not grantee to cause childhood obesity. Wishing you the best.

Answer 6

Solid foods should not be given until a child is AT LEAST four months, preferably six. The reason for this is that starting foods early, before the digestive system is developed and read for them, can lead to allergies. You should wait until six months if any food allergies run on either side of your child's family. Your child should not be sleeping through the night at 15 days, most kids do not sleep through the night until they weight AT LEAST 11 pounds (they are not capable of going without food every 2-3 hours until then) and are at least three months old. Refer your mother to your pediatrician so that she can be updated on what is considered the best for babies now.

Answer 7

your not suppose to until the baby is about 4 months i know people who have done it earlier but oyu're not suppose to. asl your pediatrician first because every baby is different. my son will be 3 months on the 9th i breasfeed and have not given him anything else but that. especially with formula it could cause constipation at sucha young age their intestine are not ready for it. a one month old should not have it.
WHen you have children you just have to go without sleep. my son is just now getting to sleep pretty good and he still doesn't sleep through the night. when you're a mom you just have to sacrifice things and that's what being a mom is all about. between 4-6 months is the ideal times to start cereal but not oat try rice cereal first because it's easier to digest. it will hurt his little belly

Answer 8

my dr said at 4 months i could start feeding cereal, but NOT in the bottle! mix it with a little formula and spoon feed it. there are ideas that putting cereal in bottles can lead to childhood obesity. and no, it doesn't help them sleep better. they'll sleep through the night when they're developmentally ready.

Answer 9

That is an old wives tale... He's too little and could get an allergic reaction from the rice cereal if introduced to it too soon... The avg. age of introducing solids/cereal is about 6 months.. Just tell her that the doc. told you not to give him cereal until he's at least 6 months... If she persists on the issue.. Babies need to stick with a feeding schedule EVEN if it upsets YOUR sleep schedule... Good luck...

Answer 10

My daughter had twins eight months ago and she didn't start cereal until 6 months of age on the advice of her pediatrician, Dr's are waiting longer than they used too to put infants on solid foods due to more childhood obesity than any other time in history. I would consult your Pediatrician.
Congratulations on your baby!