cereal put in with formula.... - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

rainbowdawn · 11-16-2004, 07:45 PM

I have a grandson that was born 2 and 1/2 weeks ago. My son and daughter in law have been going around with deciding to put in cereal with his bottle to help him sleep at night. I am 41 and it's been quite some time since I cared for an infant but I remember that my doctor said this was something that should NOT be done.

I have told my son to wait and ask the doctor when they see him again. My daughter in law is being told by her mother to go ahead and do it. I am concerned that this could possibly hurt my grandson. Any ideas, anyone????

Soulcatcher · 11-16-2004, 07:56 PM

My children are 4,3,3. Granted my daughter was two and a half weeks and I had to put a Tsp of cereal in her bottle because she had acid reflux and it thickend it to help her keep it down. If there is no medical issue than I wouldn't recommend doing it. Cereal may fill the baby up a bit but at that age the child needs the nourishment from the formula. More formula the better. Babies usually do not sleep through the night until about two months old or older. Around two months old you can start to introduce formula but not a large amount. Some people who are older want to go back to their day and age of feeding babies early and doctors do not recommend it because of alleriges the baby can get early on. Also on a different note. The baby may choke if the cereal is too thick for the baby. There is no known cause for SIDS but all precautions should be taken. Good luck. Your a good grandma. So....my opinion is NO cereal.

SunnySmiles2u · 11-16-2004, 08:16 PM

It is best to wait a longer. It does take babies about 6 to 8 weeks before they sleep through the night and some a little longer. At 2 1/2 weeks babies usually just wake up to eat and go right back to sleep anyway. Besides, feeding the baby too early like that can also lead to early obesity in the infant which isn't good for it either. I have 4 grown children and a grandbaby that is 8 days old. I remember how tired I was getting up with my own and I am sure they are just exhausted, but from experience I would suggest waiting a bit.

Grandma, you can only suggest what you think is best. Remember it is your son's turn to make his share of parenting mistakes. Hopefully none of them will be detrimental to the babies health. Try not to worry.

besafe20 · 11-16-2004, 08:52 PM

The baby is only 2 1/2 weeks old! Part of being a parent is dealing with feeding the baby during the night. I think it is selfish and unrealistic to except a baby this young to sleep longer through the night. At this age a baby still eats every 2-3 hours and the night is no exception. Tell your daughter in law to just deal with it as millions of mothers have since the beggining of time. A baby should not have rice cereal put in their bottle unless they have bad acid reflux and can't hold formula down. When a child is ready to begin rice cereal (4 months old for bottle fed babies) it should be fed to them with a spoon. [removed]

Chrissi · 11-16-2004, 11:27 PM

i put a tiny bit of cereal in my daughters bottle when she was 2 weeks old....
she was only 6 lbs at birth and at a year old is still underweight for her age group but healthy.

your daughter in law and son will have to find their own way in this parenting thing, i can understand she is tired, it is hard to be a new mother, and if a little bit of cereal in the bottle helps the baby sleep a little longer and keeps her from losing her temper with him from lack of sleep then it isnt so bad.
dr.s will say they like parents to wait, and if you want to approach them about it do it in a supportive way....i am not sure that just "telling them to deal with it" is a good idea, as you may drive a wedge.
reguardless of what you say or do to them, this is their baby and they will probably do what they want to in the end anyway.