When should I give my baby cereal?

Tammy - posted on 09/30/2012

If he is feeding so much and isn't getting full then its time to start him on cereal. He will even start sleeping more through the night. At 10 weeks is when my boys started cereal.

Dove - posted on 09/24/2012

Just keep on nursing him. :)



You probably already know, but I thought I'd mention that the more formula you give... the less breast milk you will make. So while I understand wanting/needing a break... if you want to keep breastfeeding him the BEST thing to do is to put him back on the breast every time he wants.



September is right... it DOES get better. My son had reflux until about 6 months and nursing was his comfort, so sometimes he was nursing every 45 minutes. This stage doesn't last forever, but it sure FEELS like it when you are in it.

September - posted on 09/24/2012

I know what you mean, I'm a first time Mom too however our son will be 4 next month so I've been in your shoes :) We learn as we go and that's the best way!

Tawnie - posted on 09/24/2012

Ahhhh....true! I don't think I could deny him...he has a nice set of lungs!!!! We have grown to distinguish his hungry cry from all others...I will hang in there...first time baby makes me a nervous mommy! :)

September - posted on 09/24/2012

Also feeding on demand will teach your body how much BM you need to produce so be sure to nurse whenever your son want's to. Hang in there, it does get better.

September - posted on 09/24/2012

Well it's great you're working with a LC, I had support from one as well for the first 6 weeks of our son's life, she as super helpful. Personally I would go back to pumping but that's just my opinion. I would also switch back and forth between breasts with each feed. I'm here if you want to talk more. I'm sure you're doing a great job! :)

Tawnie - posted on 09/24/2012

Thanks so much for the valuable insight! I was pumping like crazy until I started having trouble with sore nipples due to mastitis....my lact consult has me feeding him on one breast at a time for 2 feedings before switching to the other side...so I think that's why I feel like I'm not giving him enough...this is supposed to teach my body how much he needs. I hope this all gets worked out soon!

September - posted on 09/24/2012

It sounds like you may not be producing enough BM to satisfy him or it may be that you just need to nurse him a lot which will ultimately increase your supply. You could also try pumping in between feeds to increase your supply if you think you're having a supply issue. Babies are also known to cluster feed; our son did that a lot within the first 6 months of life. I was never really sure our son was getting enough and just fed on demand. I did however introduce a bottle and bottle fed him from time to time after he was 6 months. This provided my husband the opportunity to fed our son as well as monitor his intake. Our son wanted to eat every hour or so, so that's what we did. I felt like I was constantly nursing him. Once he hit 6 months he was able to go longer in between feeds since his tummy was able to hold more for longer. As far as going back to work goes be sure you're pumping and storing your milk in between your son's feeds. That way you have some stored. You'll also need to pump while you're at work as well.

Tawnie - posted on 09/24/2012

Yep! Just today I had nursed him like crazy but he was still fussy...wouldn't lay down for a nap which he usually does. So I gave him a bottle and it knocked him right out! :) How did you know if he was getting enough when you nursed? I never can tell if he is getting enough because he is constantly wanting to eat! And I go back to work in a couple of weeks...don't know what I'm gonna do then...

September - posted on 09/24/2012

You bet! He's probably just a hungry little man. Our son was breastfed as well and I felt like I was always nursing for the first 6 months or so, and I was! It does get better as they get older and their tummies get bigger. Your son may also be going through a growth spurt which will cause him to eat even more.

Tawnie - posted on 09/24/2012

Thank you for the reassurance. I just haven't been able to keep up with him and hated to give him formula, but I would rather do that than have a hungry baby! :) He is growing like crazy, especially since he had surgery when he was 5 weeks old for pyloric stenosis. Seems liks he's been playing catch-up every since.

September - posted on 09/24/2012

This sounds completely normal for a 10 week old baby. It’s great that you increased his milk intake from 4oz to 6oz, it sounds like he was ready for the increase. Personally I would avoid the baby cereal at this point; your baby is too young. Your baby needs BM or formula at this point in his life and that’s all. I would continue to fed on demand (meaning whenever you baby is hungry) and increase his intake as necessary. Good luck!