mixing formula n cereal for full night sleep?

Brandy - posted on 08/26/2010

I would never ever do it. Even if I did bottle feed my babies. It's a health hazard and not advised by medical professionals in my area. I believe in following the baby's eating and sleeping habits and while encouraging a schedule, (bed time routine, leave lights off for night feedings) I don't believe in actually enforcing it (cry it out, keeping baby awake on purpose making them overtired, skipping naps, giving solids early)..

Jenni - posted on 08/26/2010

My doctor actually prescribed it for my son. He's a family doctor and not a pediatrician. I personally feel it's a bit of an old quack. Not just for this reason either. My mother-in-law also suggested it but in her time it was the norm. She also use to give her newborns water to get them to sleep through the night. Anyways, it all comes down to them being old wives remedies. I went with my doctors suggestion the first time around to start my son on solids at 3 months (he suggested using a syringe). It only caused a whole ton of problems and never helped my son from waking endlessly in the night. Here is the best advice that worked for me if you want ur baby to sleep through the night (5-7hrs) feed once at 6, once at 8 and once at 10. It's called tanking them up. Your baby should be able to sleep at least from 10 pm-5 or 6 am. But don't be surprised if you still get the occasional 3 am wake up call :)

Samantha - posted on 08/26/2010

My twins boys are just now 3 months yesterday. and my doctor told me if i wanted to give them rice in the bottle it would be better for them. than trying to give it to them out of a spoon....My boys did NOT chock nor did they really mind it.... after they started to sit up with out help i started giving them rice from a spoon at dinner and yes they will start sleeping long at night. maybe getting up one time not 3 or 4 time a night... all you can really do it try and see what happens its not going to hurt them unless you give them alot at one time! a little here and there willl not hurt.... talk to your pediatrician and see wht they say. but not all doctors know what they are talking about.. and you know your baby more and any one.

love love, sam

Kendra - posted on 08/26/2010

My pediatrician recommened I try this at 2 months. Only for her night time bottle. Honestly, ask your pediatrician what would be best for your baby.

Amy - posted on 08/25/2010

I am currently putting it in the soy formula for my 3 month old. I have been doing it for the past month. He has reflux and it was RECOMMENDED by my pediatrician. The first night he had it, he slept seven hours.

Everyone has there own opinion on whether to do it or not. I only do it at night and I make sure he has burped well and held upright for a bit before I put him to bed. I have been told many different things, but ultimately went with my gut instinct. I think you know your baby best and your instincts will lead you to the right decision for your baby.
Good luck!

Jenee - posted on 08/23/2010

Actually mixing cereal and formula in a bottle to help your baby sleep is a big fat MYTH. There's no evidence that babies will go to sleep faster or sleep better if they're given cereal — or even a full meal — just before going to bed.

For one thing, babies are programmed to wake up fairly often during the night, not only to eat, but also to socialize and touch base with their parents. Moreover, your baby won't be able to sleep through the night (defined as a five-hour stretch) until his central nervous system has fully matured; it has almost nothing to do with whether he has a full tummy. Every baby is different — and some will be able to sleep through the night sooner than others.

Keep in mind, too, that breast milk or formula provides everything your baby needs until he's 4 to 6 months old. Introducing cereal earlier than that puts him at a higher risk for allergies.

Sharlene - posted on 08/20/2010

I heard its a bunch of rubbish.. but hey im no pro

Kiara - posted on 06/23/2009

i did it work it put them rite out bt it depends on how old tha babii is

Mel - posted on 06/23/2009

yeah i recommend it to anyone who needs thier baby to sleep thru, has a hungry baby wanting more then formula or a baby with reflux. i havent done it personally though because unfortunately for me i did not know about it til way after my daughter started tube feeding but if i had known i may have been able to thicken her formula and get her to drink it so she never had the tube in

Stephanie - posted on 06/23/2009

I thought about it with my 7 month old that recently stopped sleeping all night (stupid teeth) but the doctor said not to do it. Rice cereal in the bottle also causes severe constipation, which could lead to another reason for waking up at night. We gave our baby some rice cereal mixed with his solids last night about an hour before bed. It helped, but it was still up at 4am.

Minnie - posted on 06/23/2009

Complete myth. Baby will sleep without bothering you during the night when baby is developmentally ready to.

I'm sure that you yourself don't sleep through the night. Adults wake every 90 minutes on average, and I know that I get up to get a drink of water, I'm starving by 4am, or I'm worried about something, etc. Why do we expect it of our babies.?

Stephanie - posted on 06/23/2009

I did this with my first and it worked wonders...just have to be careful!!!!!

Sabrina - posted on 06/23/2009

Mixing food does not really have the sleep longer. I tried it and it did not work. It is also very very bad and unsafe for you to mix formula and food in a bottle, your baby could very easily choke.

Try making sure that your baby is awake for 2-3 hours before bed. Don't let him/her sleep late in the day during naps. Try a calming bath right before bed and then feed him/her right before putting them down. Do the same ( a routine) every night. Babies like routines and they catch on very quickly.

Mine started sleeping 8 hours at like 3 1/2-4 months old bc of his nighttime routine. Don't give up.......it will happen.

Hope this helps!! Good luck!!

Angel - posted on 06/23/2009

i have been mixing them and feeding my 5 month old and she sleeps all night.. as long as you hold your baby then it should be fine

Lucy - posted on 06/23/2009

Why not just wait until your baby is ready to sleep through the night?

Selina - posted on 06/23/2009

i heard that to. Havent tryed it yet tho they told me to wait till 3months and + my baby does sleep threw night know he just alwasy wakes up at 5;30am but he will eat and go back to bed for about 3 more hours

Sara - posted on 06/23/2009

It is not a good idea, it is a choking hazard and not recommended by any professional or even the cereal companies. Your baby will sleep longer when they are ready, but right now they are waking to eat because they need to.

Michelle - posted on 06/23/2009

I started my little girl on cereal for the night feeding and she has done great i only put 2 1/2 teaspoon for her 7 oz its not much and it is still watered down enough to go through to nipples and she sleep through the night. I also had to go get the motion sensor for her bed she is a belly sleeper and as we all know back to sleep. It detects her movement and alarms if she ever stop breathing it is working and a great piece of equipment. ask your baby's doctor and see what they say my doctor didn't like to idea but she dealt with it and didn't say that it was horrible.

Cassie - posted on 06/23/2009

How old is your baby? Babies are not meant to sleep through the night at a young age. They need the nutrients through the night. If your baby is old enough for cereal, do not give it to him in a bottle. It is a chocking hazard. Cereal should only be fed to a baby with a spoon.