my son is 3 months old and is it too eairly to feed him cereal?

~Jennifer - posted on 01/16/2010

Thank you for your replies to this question.

Milena - posted on 01/16/2010

My daughter started eating baby cereal when she hit the 6 week mark. Slept through the night ever since. Of course I started out with just a bit so that it was fluid and she was able to drink it out of the bottle. She never had any tummy problems.

Melisa - posted on 01/16/2010

when my little girl was 3months i gave her just a little cerel in her formula at night and she did sleep the hole night and i went to wic and the told me to give her cerel at 3 mounths in the day time and at night. trust me it works and u will get more sleep too

Carol - posted on 01/16/2010

I would prob wait until 4 mnths only that their tummies are so tiny and might do some damage later on...maybe you could give him an extra bottle later in the afternoon or a bigger one just before bed?? I know farex is pretty liquid at this age but if he weigh larger than his size/age maybe you could give him a little in the afternoon....you will just have to way the pros and cons.

Senita - posted on 01/14/2010

i would listen to your doctors advice they know best

Jessica - posted on 01/14/2010

I have a 13 year old and 13 years + 3 months ago, we were being told to start cereal at 2 months. If you have a bigger baby, he might be ready for cereal now. Depending on bedtime -- like I tried to get my kids down around 8-9pm -- I would do cereal around 7pm or so, then follow up with a bottle or nursing for putting him down for the night. You will probably start getting more sleep. All my kids were so different -- I have one that we kept on formula after a year because she needed the additional calories and I have one that we started on milk at about 11 months because he was a chunk. The recommended timelines are so generic and not specific to each individual baby.

Martha - posted on 01/12/2010

I don't think 3 months is too early to feed a baby cereal. I started feeding my daughter cereal when she was 10 weeks old. She was always hungry. I fed her cereal before bed and she slept through the night. Helped her sleep better because she wasn't up a couple times a night and it helped me get a better night's sleep. I told my daughter's pediatrician after I started feeding her cereal and he didn't have a problem with it. Of course, the cereal was of a consistency that was easy for her to swallow.....very runny.

Rosalyn - posted on 01/12/2010

mother's instinct is generally best and you'll find while you're debating the idea of giving him cereal the month will fly by and you'll find he's suddenly the proper age for the stage 1 baby cereal.

Laura - posted on 01/12/2010

my son was the same way! he was eating 8 ounce bottles by the time he was two months so when he turned three months we finally cut 2 ounces of that and mixed formula in with his baby cereal and fed him with a spoon for breakfast and dinner. it felt his tummy up and he was still getting formula.he seemed alot happier and didnt eat so often. but do what you think is best for your baby. the doctor isnt with your baby 24/7 and doesnt know exactly what your baby can handle like you can.

Meriona - posted on 01/12/2010

With my first babies my doctor started them on rice cereal and green to light yellow bananas I strained my self the day after I brought them home from the hospital. With my 4th baby, he said I could use the baby food bananas and cereal. I fed them with a spoon and never had any problems with reflux or weight. My oldest son is now 52 and is active and healthy. I know that was in the "olden days", but I and all of my children breastfed our babies. I am 70 years old now. At one month I was told to give them fruit and at two months, green and yellow veggies. Each month I was to add another baby food and it worked out great. They were happy to eat from a spoon and I was told the watery rice cereal was mostly to get them used to a spoon. I can't imagine making a baby wait until they are six months old and then trying to get them to eat from a spoon. I would definitely give them cereal and I think lots of times, Mom knows best!

Liz - posted on 01/10/2010

my son did the same thing as soon as he hit 3 1/2 months. My advice is keep giving him the extra formula and if he is like my son after about a week of that they get in to that routine. I started the cereal at about 4 1/2 months. Good luck! He will get back in to his routine soon :)

C - posted on 01/10/2010

no just atart very sloww. a little rice cereal in his bottle to start and see how he tolerates it. I just started my 3 month old granddaughter too

Tina - posted on 01/10/2010

My doctor told me as long as the baby is dry and fed let them be.Thats if they are crying . My doctor also gave me permision to put a little cereal in the bottle at night time it helped out alot.

Sherre - posted on 01/09/2010

The reason why doctors are now telling everyone to feed their babies jar foods at 6months is because their digestive system grows with their teeth. Also, our parents did a lot of things, we as parents would not do today. Increase the amount of formula you feed your baby. That might work.

Jacinda - posted on 01/09/2010

Just asked our doctor the same thing. He said 3 1/2 months is fine to start on rice cereal.

Jodie - posted on 01/08/2010

my daughter is 15 weeks (almost 4 months) she weighs just over 14llbs and ive been feeding her solids since she was 2 months because she has gastirc reflux ( she has too much stomach acid and it comes up causing her to be sick) both my doctor and my healthvisitor say im wrong but the peaditrician at the hostpital says she should be fine. I found that when she started having solids was when she started sleeping thru the night and she was on a 7 ounce bottle as well! Shes now having solids at midday but 4-5 feeds a day on 7ounces. ive found it not only helps her sleep thru the night but it also helps with her acid. Ive been told by other parents its personal choice, but its worked pretty well for me x

Neva - posted on 01/08/2010

A 3 month old baby eating 6 oz or more per feeding is normal. At age 3-4 months a baby should eat about 5-8 oz 4-6 times/day. I would not start cereal yet. The reason we recommend no solids prior to 4 months is that studies have shown that babies fed solid foods prior to 4 months of age are at a higher risk for developing diabetes later in life. The optimum time to start solids is between 4 and 6 months. When your baby wakes up at night resist the urge to go to him immediately when you hear the first sounds of stirring. Everyone, including babies go through lighter stages of sleep and even awake. Sometimes babies fuss when they are in these lighter stages of sleep and will fuss themselves back to sleep if given the chance. If you go right away and feed the baby, you are just teaching the baby to need to suck on the bottle in order to put himself to sleep. Of course, at 3 months, if the baby is really crying, then go ahead and feed, but see if he can't put himself back to sleep on his own first.

Nazerah - posted on 01/03/2010

happy babies! ALL WE MUMS WANT AINT IT???

Nazerah - posted on 01/03/2010

ok!!! MOMMAS! ITS NOT ABOUT THE SLEEP! ITS ABOUT WHATS BEST FOR YOUR BABY!and i you have a crabby kid a2 and12, 2,4 and 6 am in the mornig then it is bst to do something because CLEARLY his hungry-and if you make up your mind that your baby is gona ave major problems down the line then it will happen because of the way your thinking! MILLIONS of moms around the world have experienced this-so go with your feeling love!if you think you want to try the cereal go ahead! on all the cereals in stores urned each box over to read the back and check out what the nutritionists have to say-if your bay has doubled its birth wait,can put its weight on its fore arms when on its tummy by lifting its head and can turn and hold its head up when sitting propped up t hen your baby can try some cereal! and dont forget mum our HUMAN! you need torest too so when your baby sleeps you sleep-YOU are theone that has to ok after your baby during the ay0so YOU do whats best for u and YOUR baby!

Omah - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting Michelle:

my son is 3 months old and is it too eairly to feed him cereal?

My son is only 3months old but he all of a sudden started eating way more formula. 6 ounces or more at a time. But my biggest thing is he started waking up more at night! Before he would wake up 1 or 2 times but now for sure 2 even 3 times. Now my mom tells me to feed him cerel before bed time and he'll sleep all night. But the doctor says not till he's four months..But I'm thinking he's already 3 months and is pretty big for his age. 15 pounds...Should I just do it only at bed time?

Erykah - posted on 01/02/2010

NO you should never feed an infant cereal before their time. That is putting them at risk of health problems later on in life. I know it's hard getting up many times throughout the night, but sweetheart that's what parenting is all about.

Mel - posted on 01/02/2010

The doctors at the childrens hospital put our daughter on solids before 4 months so dont stress it is safe. they gave us a list of signs to look out for incase she coudnt handle it which is very rare. Try putting some cereal in his bottle it will help him sleep better over night or try spoon feeding before bed

Brandy - posted on 01/02/2010

my son was the same way, and i started him on cereal twice a day, and it helped alot, he was more happy and that made our life alot less stressful. otherwise all he would do is scream and i had to hold him and give him a bottle every hour sometimes two hours. it was recommended to spoon feed him the cereal instead of putting it in the bottle, make it thin almost the same as the formula. hope this was helpful, good luck

Cassie - posted on 01/01/2010

I would do Rice cereal only. Every pediatrician will vary. General rule is yes 4months but some babies start at 2months and have no problems.

Start with a breakfast so you can watch any bad reactions (rather than him having one at night), if he is fine then yes of course feed him at bedtime. He is obviously starving and needing more nutrients. Rice is basic, just make it really watery and then increase as he gets use to it.

Better to feed his needs than to starve him. If you still don't feel right, ask another pediatrician or two.



Good luck.

Demelza - posted on 12/31/2009

i really do say go with ur gut feeling and if ur not sure put him on the stage 2/hungrier baby milk xxx if thats still not working then start with baby rice x

Amanda - posted on 12/31/2009

It is too early to start on cereals or any other solid food. Baby's tiny tummy is not ready for it, the lining isn't fully developed so if you start early it can cause big problems down the road. Most health organisations recommend waiting until 6 months to introduce them but your best cue is that the baby is showing signs of readiness like lip smacking when he watches other people eat or trying to grab food off your plate or watching the fork from the plate to your mouth. Babies usually have a big growth spurt at 3 and six months and you can expect him to want to eat more and with greater frequency at those times. Just give him the extra milk he needs and when he needs it. Don't try to give him things he's not ready for just so you can have a better sleep. That's not what being a mom is about.

Nazerah - posted on 12/31/2009

yip!try him on rice cereal first- a teaspoon mixed with her formula or breast milk-you can increse the feeing every week or when u see that he wakes often again.I tried my son like that and it works like a bomb-his also huge for his age!he started on 2 heaped teaspoons and only woke once at night just to have a few sucks of his bottle-good luck

Linda - posted on 12/30/2009

If your baby is eating more than 6 ounces of milk, he needs more and cereal is usually best. Sometimes we know more than the doctors regarding our children. He is probably waking up because he needs more. It will not hurt to take your mom's advice and give your son cereal at his last meal before he goes to sleep, it's worth trying so you both can get the rest you need.

Kacie - posted on 12/30/2009

being big for his age does not matter. I found out from my doctor that the reason they do not want babies starting on cereal until 4 months is because their digestive systems typically can not handle it.

Sheree - posted on 12/30/2009

Your mom is right. Follow your instincts because every child is different. One of mine was just a few weeks old and i added cereal , thinning it with formula. I'd do it the first time in the daytime when you're not tired and you can take your time and burp him and make sure he can tolerate it. Just a few spoons at first. That big boy is hungry ! Trust your instincts...you're doing great. Follow your doctor on important things but anything else is just a suggestion and you have to do what is best for your baby. Good luck and God bless....you're doing a great job, Mommy. Luv, Nana

Anne - posted on 12/30/2009

The doctor is giving you a guide line. I would start him on one small serving of the stage one cereal just before bed time. My oldest son was way worse than that. When he was about 1 month he was drinking about 8 ounces at a time.

Beck - posted on 12/30/2009

Just a little note about advice from doctors, they are not always right, they are often wrong, their studies have many contradictions, statistics are not fool proof, and their advice is only common it is not based on your particular life style or genes, unless they have researched your genes then they can only give common advice.. Follow your instinct, even formular can cause upset stomics, so dont let all the crap deter you from your mums advice, just try monitoring his behavour and start out slow, if any reaction occurs you can always stop. :D

Beck - posted on 12/30/2009

Just a little note about advice from doctors, they are not always right, they are often wrong, their studies have many contradictions, statistics are not fool proof, and their advice is only common it is not based on your particular life style or genes, unless they have researched your genes then they can only give common advice.. Follow your instinct, even formular can cause upset stomics, so dont let all the crap deter you from your mums advice, just try monitoring his behavour and start out slow, if any reaction occurs you can always stop. :D

Jenn - posted on 12/29/2009

my son was a big baby too, and his hunger seemed to never be satiated lol i started by supplementing him with formula when my breastmilk couldn't keep up with him, and after a month or so of that i started giving him a quarter of a farley's biscuit mushed up with formula/breastmilk. didn't lose any of the nutritional value of the normal bottle feed, but was something a little heavier for his stomach to work on, and yes, he was a happier baby, and he slept better because of it :) unless there are pertinent health reasons to keep him from something more substantial, then go with your gut :)

Emily - posted on 12/29/2009

What a dr says is absolutely an opinion on what he believes is right for your son or daughter that's why people say every dr is different some would say go ahead with the cereal and others say wait.. My dr told me to wait but two of my friends whose children are younger then mine, who is 3 months, have been told to ho ahead And start if one dr says it's ok it's obviously not going to hurt any other baby so I say do what you feel is going to help!

Demelza - posted on 12/29/2009

Anabel was the same, 9oz of milk every 4 hours, i spoke to my midwife and she said try her with baby rice, small amounts and build it up, she was fine, anabel loved it and slowely i introduced different flavours and 4 weeks later she was fully weaned xx at 19 weeks i started the hipp stage 1 jars with her and she only had a bottle at night xx do what u feel is right and speak to ur midwife/health visitor, some say wait till baby is 6mths old but ur the mum so do whats best for baby and u xxx

Kim - posted on 12/29/2009

Just to clarify, you shouldn't give the cereal in place of formula or to cut back on formula, he needs the formula...the cereal can just fill him up a bit more.

Kim - posted on 12/29/2009

we started putting some rice cereal in my son's bottles when he was about 8 weeks even though the doctor said it was too early. personally i chose to listen to my dad, who raised 6 kids...he was much more satisfied and slept through the night. it wasn't too early, we just put a little in the bottle to make it a little thicker, we didn't start making cereal in a bowl and giving it to him with a spoon til about 3 months (and then we made it very thin to start with).

Angie - posted on 12/29/2009

I'm don't recommend feeding baby cereal just for the purpose for getting sleeping thought he night. It doesn't always work and it can take away from his nutritional needs. If he eating more, then i feel he needs more. baby cereal has no nutritional value that formula has. Anyway, a good rule of thumb is that baby don't usually sleep though the night till about 6m. Something you might want to try to help him sleep is to do the 5 S's. Swaddle (some kids seem to hate it, but it makes them feel safe when it's done tightly) Sound (Shhhhhh) Side (lay him on his side) Swing, and suck (passys, not bottles) A good book for that is "The happiest baby on the block" We started my Frist born on cerel before he was 6m and he had really bad constpation, tummy probloms and Reflux. This was cuas by give cearl to early. and they don't sleep well when they can't poop. And trust me, we didn't give him a whole lot. We did 1 tsp per 4oz. Well, that's my experience and advice. I'll step off my soap box now. Good luck with your baby, i bet he's a blessing, Even if he wakes you up 4 times a night!

Cheryl - posted on 12/29/2009

It's a choice you will have to make but, I was giving my children Rice cereal at 6wks old. Get a feeding bottle and add formula to the Rice cereal not really thick as they suck it out like a bottle. He will sleep all night long and wake up in Happy mood.

Donna - posted on 12/29/2009

Both my children started having food at 3 month. I started with baby rice about a teaspoon full made up and feed them in the evening at frist and went from there. You know when its right for your baby to start trying food but take it easy not to rush them.

Kim - posted on 12/29/2009

I know you have already made your decision but I just want to add for the other mothers' out there that the reason we need to wait on the food is so food allergies do not begin. A baby does not have the digestive enzymes needed to break down food in the intestines...
At three months the baby is going through a growth spurt. They get cranky because it hurts when we grow...do you remember growing pains in your teens? Think what a baby is going through. They need food energy but not something that the body is not ready for. If you feel you have to give cereal start with rice. very few people have rice allergies.
Remember we are there for our babies...and yes, the first year it means 24 hours a day. Sleep when baby sleeps. Surrender to motherhood.

Louise - posted on 12/29/2009

Stick to the formula, cereal in the morning when he gets up would be fine, but for the remainder of the day and night continue with formula.

My son is on goats formula, started cereal at four months and baby foods at five months. I'm not consistant with his meals though, some days he'll have breakfast and lunch others it's breakfast and dinner or just lunch and dinner or just one meal.

The meals are appertising and a novelty for them, however they don't contain all the nutrition that is required for their growing bodies, so holding off is no problem, you child is not missing out on anything.

At 8 months Leo likes, baby biscuits, slices of nectarine, rockmelon and pancakes, but he's still drinking between 5 - 6 bottles of formula a day as well. He's more interested in trying out everything that we are eating than actually filling his stomach.

For the first 12 months formula is best, at which point you can move onto cows milk if you choose and incorporate the three meals a day, although they still have infant formulas past 12 months which are recommended to ensure they still get their daily nutritional intake.

Jane - posted on 12/28/2009

It's probably just a growth spurt & your baby will probably eat a little less then now when the growth spurt passes. I know you're probably tired when you have to get up in the night but that's a mom & dads job. Giving your baby rice cereal will not guarentee that your LO will sleep thru the night. If your Dr says wait I personally would wait, that's why we have Dr.'s. As far as some women saying ask your mother or grandmother that's just NOT great advice. My mom didn't have to have a carseat when I was a baby, it was socially exceptable for my mom to drink & smoke while pregnant, I slept on my tummy & my crib had lead paint on it. Did I survive...well yes obviously but some kids did not or are having to pay for it for the rest of their lives with illnesses ect. I guess my point is that if you feel the risks (adult obesity, allergies, constipation, bloating) are worth it then of course that's your choice. This will not happen to all babies but if there is a chance it could happen why even try it?

Hayley - posted on 12/27/2009

hi michelle i have a 9month old daughter who was always on hungry baby milk and at 10weeks old she was having 7oz of it at a time but she always wanted more so we gave her stage one foods and she loved it. hope this helps you

Jenny - posted on 12/27/2009

I say go ahead and feed him the cereal.. It is not going to hurt him as long as you mix it with breast milk or formula. All children are different and the advice a physician gives you is based on the majority. All 5 of my children were given cereal some where between the ages of 6 weeks and 3 months, they are all happy and healthy children. God gave mothers intuition for a reason and that was so we could raise our children accordingly .

Emma - posted on 12/27/2009

hi i started my little boy on soilds early3 months i think i only started small he eat some food but then just stopped bbut it worked out in my favour caz when he wanted more food he was usedto the spoon and already knew how to start crewing lol. the only person who knows best is you if think you should try it i would caz boys have a bigger apitight. my little boy wouldnt eat rice try a few different things.

Kristen - posted on 12/26/2009

Its ok to feed your baby! I started my 1st child on rice cereal at 2 months old and then she started baby foods at 4 months old. My second child started rice cereal at the same age. If your baby is hungry then feed him!

Carrol - posted on 12/26/2009

you should wait until the child is at least 4 months before introduction of semisolid foods.do not overfeed your baby,it can lead to obesity.try pacifier or teething rings.assess other reason for baby to be awake.check room temp,wet diaper.

Chantaya - posted on 12/26/2009

Your baby was going through a growth spurt, which they typically go through around 3-4 months of age. One of the many they'll have over his life. It's not beneficial to your son at all to start him on solids early, the long term affects aren't worth saving a penny on formula.

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/readyfo...

Doctor's actually aren't all to educated in the subject of infant nutrition. They're given a recommendation which they hand out to their patients, some of which are outdated. Do your research.

What it comes down to is it's not worth sacrificing your child's health to wait 3 more months. If your child was breastfed it would just mean he would be on the breast a lot more.