Rice Cereal in Formula?

Margarita - posted on 05/09/2012

Patricia, I wouldn't add cereal to her bottle unless her doctor suggested it. Since she's four months old, you can start the tiniest bit of solids if she seems interested (reaching for food, etc) and can hold her head up and it was greenlit by her ped (you can call the office and speak to a nurse or leave a message so they can check the chart and get back to you). If so, you can go back to the Gerber and spoon feed her the rice cereal (though with her constipation issues, maybe oatmeal would be a better choice) or stick to the Parent's choice and spoon feed her the tiniest bit of prunes (maybe start with a baby spoon's full - yes, that's how little I'd start with) and see if that does the trick. If you do cereal, you can start with maybe 1/2 teaspoon and you'll want to dilute it with enough formula or breast milk to make it really soupy. You won't get much in her, but it's good practice and may well be enough. Mine went to Zantac for her reflux spitting (can't remember for how long as it's been a while), but if your doctor doesn't think it's reflux and the formula change did the trick in the past I wouldn't medicate her unless you have to. You can also see if Gerber has a formula that's good for spitting as it sounds like the probiotics were what helped with the constipation. On that note, you can also ask her dr if you can give her a tiny bit of plain yogurt (whole milk if you can get it) since the probiotics helped in the past. Good luck!

Laura - posted on 05/08/2012

a couple other thoughts - perhaps the formula is not the best one for your baby. We had to switch our daughter to a different one because she was throwing it up - but hasnt with the new one and she's been on it for 2 months now.
These are just ideas based on my experience with my baby and what ive been told from dr's and nurses... if youre really unsure, talk to your babys dr.
Or, if she isnt burped enough, or ate too fast or too much sometimes they will throw up.
With the rice cereal, babies should be at least 6 months, some people say 4 or 5 months.. if she is younger she probably cant tolerate it. Hold off until 6 months and talk to a dr

Laura - posted on 05/08/2012

In Canada, these days it is recommended NOT to put cereal in formula bottles. You can certainly feed your baby rice cereal made with formula instead of just water, but not recommended to put the cereal IN the bottle itself. The nurses/doctors have told me that the main reason not to do this is because its best to FEED the baby cereal with a spoon so they know the difference between eating and having a bottle. get them used to texture and flavours etc. Apparently, there have been studies that have shown that babys who are fed with a spoon earlier, and drink other liquids from a cup are less fussy with food/textures etc... less picky... Dont ask me why, this is just what I was told. Also, if the cereal is clumpy in the bottle it can clog the bottle or be a choking hazard

Amanda - posted on 05/05/2012

Do NOT put it in her bottle!!!

Norma - posted on 05/01/2012

How old is Ema? I would try changing her formula first. Check with your doc and see if it could be a food allergy. If she is breastfed, she might be reacting to something you ate. I think I would explore a food allergy before I would add anything to the bottle. Good luck and I hope Ema starts keeping her food down! :)

Patricia - posted on 04/25/2012

Hi I am new to this site and am experencing the same issue. I have a 4 month old daughter. This is my second child. I began her with Similac advantage as this is the formula provided in the hospital. She was born rather small so I would alternate with breast milk and similac to help her bulk up. As time went on she became more and more constipated. I eventually stopped breast feeding as I was returning to work. I switched her on Gerber Good start gentle. She began to "go" very normaly and easy. Now my new problem is that she spits up all the time. I hesitated but switched her again to People's choice for spit up (which is Walmart generic for Enfamil AR) That worked well, however she is getting constipated again. I need HELP!! Should I switch her back to Gerber and add a bit of rice cereal to the bottle? My son is 10yrs old and I feel like a new mom all over again.

Cortney - posted on 08/22/2009

Well ever since I have been giving her Rice cereal she has not been throwing up or fussy, but I guess I will see what the Doc. says on Monday. Thanks everyone!!

Mel - posted on 08/22/2009

just try a little bit say half tea spoon and see how the baby goes. then add more gradually. you might need to make the teat a bit bigger

Rosie - posted on 08/21/2009

my son use to do the same thing after drinking his bottle, we had to change his formula several times, until the Dr finally figured out that is wasn't the formula but a stomach bug..but it's a good thing your already going to the pediatrician

Quentilla - posted on 08/21/2009

Quoting Lisa:

Putting rice in a bottle can be a choking hazard! And a baby who is only 2 months old is not able to digest it properly because theyare not developed enough! So, rather than in a bottle, wait til your child can hold their head up and only feed it by spoon! Not only that, their is little nutrients in rice. DON'T DO IT! It's not what is best for your child!

I don't think she meant actual grains of rice!! She was referring to rice baby cereal, the powdery stuff that gets mixed into milk or water to make a very basic cereal. it's one of the first so-called solids they recommend giving a baby at around 6 months or so.

Now, I'm not here to tell other people what to do, but here is what worked for me: My daughter was waking up through the night and couldn't seem to get satisfied as far as her food intake. At about three months of age, I was exhausted still getting up every couple of hours to feed her. My mom gave me some of the best advice ever...she said buy some Gerber Rice Baby Cereal and put about a tablespoon in her nighttime bottle. It will help her feel fuller and more satisfied and she'll start sleeping through the night.

Worked like a charm. Within days my daughter was in a great sleep routine and would sleep a full 8 hours at night. My mom did it with her five kids, my sisters did it with theirs, and it definately worked for me.

(It was even suggested by my little one's pediatrician when I told her she didn't seem to be getting satisfied with her nighttime bottles) She's now two yrs old and healthy as a horse (so to speak) and she has slept all night, every night (except the odd times she's been sick) ever since she was 3 months old.

Just thought I would straighten out the confusion Lisa seemed to be having...I could understand your concern if you thought someone was feeding their baby actual RICE! Rice baby cereal on the other hand is quite different than grains of rice!

Some may think this is an 'old wive's tale" but if it is, it's one of the ones that actually works.

Vicky - posted on 08/21/2009

my daughter had gastric reflux & the doctor prescribes gaviscon powder sachets (one in each bottle) to thicken the milk - this really works so i'd ask about it. i have heard that it really unadvisable to put cereal in the bottle of milk!! please ask your doctor cus i'm really not sure this is safe?? good luck chic ;-)

Tanya - posted on 08/21/2009

I agree with Jenn. ou should ask your doctor if you are really unsure because doctors say that a baby can choke on it.

Laura - posted on 08/21/2009

My daughter had reflux and her peditration recommended putting cereal in her bottle to thicken the formula. After she ate I had to prop her up for about 15 minutes or so. I asked the doctor how much to put in and they were most helpful. I would start there.

Cortney - posted on 08/21/2009

Ok so now the question is, for the past3-4days I have been putting Rice cereal in her bottles, if I stop this will it have a bad effect on her?

Cortney - posted on 08/21/2009

yes she has about 6-10 a day, and anywhere from one to 3 dirty diapers, and she is 2 months old.

Anne - posted on 08/21/2009

By the way how old is the baby?? This is also an important factor in your decisions. Is baby having 6-10 wet diapers in a 24 hour period? How many poopy?

Anne - posted on 08/21/2009

Quoting Cortney:

Rice Cereal in Formula?

Ema has been throwing up alot after every feeding, so I decided to try a lilttle bit of rice cereal in her bottle, but I am not sure how much to put in? Anyone have any little tips?

Hello Courtney,

My name is Anne and I am a WIC Nutriton Assistant II and I saw your post about rice cereal and would loke to give you some info. Adding cereal to a bottle will cause more problems than it will cure, it will expand her tummy each time she drinks itm therefore making it harder and harder for her to feel full, she will be hungry more often and she could become over weight. There may be an alternative- does she breastfeed or formula feed? If she formula feeds, there is a formula called Enfamil AR, it's for babies that throw up- it is rice based instead of cow protien based. Also she may be lactos intolerant, in that case there is soy formula that will agree with her tummy better. Have you called your doctor? Well hopefully I have given you info that may help, if you have any other questions please ask. Take care

Jill - posted on 08/21/2009

Personally I would not recommend putting it in the bottle, for the same reasons as above...

Jill - posted on 08/21/2009

How old is she? Maybe she is not ready for it...

Karen - posted on 08/21/2009

It's common for babies to have reflux and spit up alot in the first 6 months....there is a difference between spit up and throwing up. Talk to your dr , because if she is just spitting up and has no other complications like weight loss or signs of pain ( reflux can cause esophageal damage) your dr might not want you to anything. There is a formula that has been designed for babies with reflux ( it's already pre- thickened ), but it is important to make sure that is your baby's problem. If your baby is projectile vomitting after every meal and is under 1 month old you need to talk to a dr ASAP. Otherwise, just wait till you see the Doctor, and feed you baby in a more upright position and keep her that way for at least 20 min after feeding. Feeding smaller amounts at a time is also helpful. My 1st baby had reflux and had to be put on zantac. The spitting up will decrease as your baby gets older.

Cortney - posted on 08/21/2009

Oh ok, so should I stop the rice cereal now? Her Doc. App. is on Monday but when she eats regular formula it all comes up, even after a couple of hours of eating she is still throwing up.

Lisa - posted on 08/21/2009

Putting rice in a bottle can be a choking hazard! And a baby who is only 2 months old is not able to digest it properly because theyare not developed enough! So, rather than in a bottle, wait til your child can hold their head up and only feed it by spoon! Not only that, their is little nutrients in rice. DON'T DO IT! It's not what is best for your child!

Shanda - posted on 08/21/2009

Ok so .... Shyla, Emily and Lacey was doing this too and we had to change her formula ... talk to her doctor and I bet that is what they will do ... they had to use a soy formula.

Kim - posted on 08/21/2009

Is it really throw up or spit up? There is a huge difference.

And I've actually heard bad things about putting cereal in an infant's bottle. Before 4 months, their tummies can't digest the food. Its too much for them to handle. I would ask your pediatrician before making any at home remedies.

Ashlee - posted on 08/21/2009

if you are going to give your baby cereal please go so with a spoon NOT in the bottle please!

Tiffany - posted on 08/21/2009

I have heard a lot of controversy on putting cereal in your babies milk. It has to many calories and carbs for them to digest and the gain to much weight to fast. Definately taklk to your doctor. Maybe try keeping her elevated after each feed. She may have an allergy you might have to switch to soy.

Cortney - posted on 08/21/2009

Yeah I made a doc. app. For Monday so she could get looked at to see if its anything serious, but I am trying to find a way for her to keep just a liltle bit of food down.

~Jennifer - posted on 08/21/2009

It's really something that you should discuss with your child's pediatrician, or health worker. People on the internet can't judge what's best for your baby 'online', or how much of 'what' to give a child whose eating habits they are clueless about. It would be preferable to speak to a doctor that has physically seen your child and can make the proper recommendations.