Rice cereal, how much and how often?

Question

I just started giving my son (who will be 8 weeks on the 19th) rice cereal in his bottle. I use maybe a third of the formula scoop mixed with 4 ounces of formula. My question is, is that too much? and I was going to give it to him in his bottle for his 'breakfast' (which is usually at 7am)and then again right before his bedtime (which is around 9pm). Or should I just give it to him right before his bed.

**I'm giving him rice cereal because his is ALWAYS hungry**

you dont need to be mean. i was just asking a question. the cost of formula doesnt matter to me..

Answer 1

I started this with my 3.5 month old when she started waking in the night. She's a big girl and I don't mean fat. I mean long and skinny and just overall big for her age. I only did and still do just 1 bottle a day for the most part...that was enough to satisfy her. I just put about 1/4 or 1/2 oz in the bottom of the bottle, pour in the water to about 6 ozs and then add the formula. You want it watery enough to get through the nipple. I also started giving her a little rice on a spoon a week or two later. Maybe not everyday but when ever she didn't seem satisfied with just her bottles. She's been trying baby foods since she was 4 months....she's done well. Don't doubt your baby...they will give you signs when they are ready to start something other than breast milk or formula. Take cues from them.

Answer 2

Actually, most physicians will tell you NOT to give babies rice cereal this early, because it can cause significant allergies later on (even if they don't seem to be allergic to anything at this point.) No foods other than breastmilk or formula should be given until 4 months at the earliest...

Have you talked to your doctor about other reasons your baby may be hungry? Is he growing at a good rate? Is he otherwise healthy? If so, it might not be hunger at all ...

If you're assuming your baby is hungry because he's crying, it may be any number of things. Newborns and young babies cry for a lot of reasons -- often because they just need to be held. They also cry because they're bored or scared or lonely or unsure of themselves. If you find that holding your baby helps, you should get a sling (there are many types out there) that would allow you to carry your baby and get some other things done, too ...

Another possibility is that your baby is crying because the formula you're using is upsetting his tummy... and rice cereal won't help with that. Again, talk to your doctor about whether changing formula would be beneficial.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not going to preach to you, but PLEASE do your research. It's not a good idea to give rice cereal in a bottle unless it is expressly reccomended by your baby's doctor for acid reflux treatment. It is a MAJOR choking hazard, especially since your baby is only two months old! If you're doing this partially to help the baby sleep through the night, it will not work, and you will end up with a baby with a tummy-ache, which is worse!

Giving a baby solids like cereal in its bottle doesn't teach good eating habits. By adding cereal to the bottle you are overloading the baby on food, and this can lead to obesity later in life. You want your child to take solid food from a spoon, not a bottle, because with the spoon, they know how to stop when they are full. At this age, they have a strong sucking need and will continue to suck even after their stomach is filled. If you put cereal in the bottle, you are risking overfilling the baby's stomach and causing him to vomit what he has just taken in.

If your baby is always hungry, increase his formula intake or feed him more often. 2 month old babies should be eating every 2 hours. Starting solids before 6 months, especially in a bottle, increases the risk of anemia, food allergies, and it teaches the infant to overeat.

Answer 4

I was always told by my pediatrician not to give cereal in the bottle. He said it causes excessive weight gain and teaches the baby nothing about solids because it is given the same way as the liquids are. Also he told me to wait until my children were 4-6 months old before giving solids at all. Once hes 4 months old try giving it to him in a bowl thinned down with formula from a spoon before bedtime, he will fill up on it and begin to learn how to eat solids better. You can also give it to him during the day if he wants more.

Answer 5

First, did your doctor give you the okay?

I think 8 weeks is quite early. I don't know how much to tell you because it's so early. Also, I have read before that rice cereal does not help a baby sleep any longer. It's a myth. Your baby is always hungry because he is only 8 weeks old. Stick with formula unless your doctor advises otherwise.

PS. Your baby could suffer from constipation, and trust me, that is a lot worse than your baby always being hungry.

Answer 6

Every baby is different but 2 months and eating cereal? If you are confused see the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is not recommended to start your baby on cereal before 4 months of age and thats only if your baby is getting formula. If your baby is excusively breastfed you should start solids around 6 months. Babies digestive systems can't handle those foods no matter how hungry they seem. I suggest talking with your own doctor before starting any solids and if you don't have a doctor then please read information at the American Academy of Pediatrics before you start anything. It is better to be informed than to be sorry down the road. The only reason a baby that young should be recieving cereal is if he/she has reflux, other than that, don't give your baby cereal. If he's gaining weight, he is getting enough with his formula, whether you think he is still hungry or not.

Answer 7

I wouldn't recommend feeding your child anything but breast milk or formula unless you have already gotten the OK from his pediatrician. My daughter is 5 months old and just started on rice cereal once a day. Please check with a doctor.

Answer 8

Nuh huh he looked up at you and said "Gee mom I'm starved".

You are increasing your child's lifelong risk of diabetes, asthma and allergies because you can't be bothered to a) figure out what is really wrong or b) pay for more formula.