
Rebecca - posted on 07/08/2010 ( 96 moms have responded )
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My son is 3 months old and has an appetite just like his daddy, the size of the North American continent. We don't go back into the doctor until July 30th for his 4 month check up, so I am wondering what to do for him and feeding him to help him sleep longer at night. He gets a bath anywhere between 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. then is fed 6 oz to 8 oz and sleeps for 4 hours then is up and feeds then sleeps for another 3 to 4 hours. Is this normal? And will cereal help keep him full if I don't water it down as much?
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Liz - posted on 07/10/2010
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No, it's not suggested to start infants on rice cereal until they are 6 months of age.
There are guidelines about this for a reason. Just wait.
Rice cereal in a bottle is BAD!
Here's 5 reasons.
Allergies: While no one agrees completely on what it is that actually causes allergies, we do have enough research to see certain connections. One, very well documented connection to serious allergies is when a baby has been exposed to the allergen too early. Putting cereal in your baby's bottle, even rice cereal, can cause allergies.
Choking hazard: Some infants do not fully have their swallowing reflex fully developed at birth. Sucking cereal from a bottle can cause a choking hazard. . .and babies have actually died this way. Choking on cereal from a bottle certainly isn't a common cause of death. . .but why do it when it is linked to something like choking?
Digestive Issues: There is a connection between babies who have solids too early and digestive problems. The fact of the matter is that baby tummies are designed to take in breastmilk. When you can't breastfeed, there's formula which mimics breastmilk. Baby tummies are not designed to take in solids, and it's not surprising that they malfunction when forced to do what they're not designed to do.
Obesity: One key factor in obesity is infant feeding. Infants are born with a self regulatory ability to take in only what they need. By feeding on demand and following a baby's cues, you are essentially helping them form habits of eating when hungry and eating until they feel full. This sets them up for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. But when you add cereal to a bottle, it bypasses their system and essentially they take in more calories than they need.
It does not work: There is no scientific evidence to support the notion that baby's sleep better with cereal in their bottles. The truth is, babies are designed to wake frequently at night. Dealing with sleep deprivation is part of the parenting package.
Nikki - posted on 07/08/2010
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4 hour stretch is very good for a 3 month old and 6-8 ounces is the average every 2-3 hours. My son was eating 4 ounces the day he was born every 2 hours and 12 ounces every 2.5 hours when he was 4 months, so at 5 months we intro'd veggies and fruits ( he didnt take well to cereal) It is recommended you wait til 6 months.
Please do not start your baby early on food to get the to sleep through the night, their digestive system is still too weak and new to process solid food and this can cause a very gassy and constipated baby and then you wont be getting any sleep.
At least try to wait another month and ask your doctor first, 6-8 ounces is pretty average for that age
also DO NOT PUT CEREAL IN A BOTTLE ITS A CHOKING HAZARD AND IT CAN LEAD TO OBESITY, FEED IT WITH A SPOON.
Whitney - posted on 07/13/2010
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I really never gave my daughter Cereal, she will be a year on Wednesday. I went from formula to baby food. What did they do way back when before all this 'testing' was done? My daughter ate 4oz for a while then up to 6oz when she got to 8oz I started giving her baby food. I'd do 3 to 4 bottles a day and baby food when she was hungry between then. She ALWAYS gets a bottle before bed, but it doesn't ever have cereal in it, it's all formula, and she sleeps 8 to 10 hours. It's up to you and your baby. Whatever you feel is right for your baby. Doctor's have an idea of what works well, but do they know your baby? Perfect example: my doctor said that 3 months is a good age to start cereal, others say 6 months. My daughter never wanted it. She didn't like it. I tried. Who's to say your daughter will be the same way? Everyone and every baby is different. It's what you're comfortable with and what you find it best for your child.
Angie - posted on 07/08/2010
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a 4 hours stretch is really great for a 3 month old. Sleeping through the night is technically only 5 hours so that's really good.
I wouldn't give any sort of solid foods before 6 months old (including cereal). Chances are it won't help them sleep longer and could have very negative long term affects if started too early.
Kathryn - posted on 07/13/2010
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It is strange to me that you would be willing to take the advice from a stranger(s) on an internet group over the advice of a medical professional.
It also scares me to read all these responses that this women post about putting cereal in a bottle. Babies are BABIES, they are not suppose to "sleep through the night." God made them that way and we as Americans are always trying to put babies on a schedule and get them to conform to our schedules. Then we say, "They grow up so fast."
Please take your doctor's advice and if you don't agree with that, get a second opinion from a MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, not the ladies on the internet.
As with anyone else who is debating this subject, use the internet to do some real research instead of asking what others "think." Starting a baby on solids to early can cause major issues in the long run. Only your child's doctor and YOU, as the parent, should decide together what is best for your individual child.
Remember, that each child is an INDIVIDUAL and what works for one, may not work for the next.