Question About Cereal

Definitely do not give him cereal. His digestive system cannot handle solid foods at this time and introducing solid foods now could cause him to have food allergies later on.

Just be patient. Right now it feels like a lot of work, but there will come a time when he won't want to breastfeed anymore and you will miss it :)

Hi M.

Do what YOU feel is right. I was told not to give my son cereal in his bottles either and I started putting it in at 7 weeks old thinking he would sleep longer also, HE DIDN'T, unfortunately. Putting cereal in bottles doesn't always mean they will sleep longer ( I learned that from experience). My son is now 4 1/2 months old and still doesn't sleep through the night :0(
One thing I do promise you though, is that it WILL get easier..... (it either gets easier or you just get immune to not sleeping that much anymore)
GOOD LUCK!!!!

M., he's not even 3 months old yet. it is way early. maybe that would fill the baby but his digestive system is totally not ready for it.
good luck
V.

Congratulations on your new baby and on successful breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the only nutrition your son needs to grow right now. Cereal is just filler. My son was the same size as your son at 11 weeks. Just continue nursing on demand and he will not go hungry, and wait until 6 months to introduce solids.

My daughter was slightly smaller than your son at 11 weeks. SHe too was exclusively breastfed. I never gave her cereal because cereal causes constipation and she had issues with constipation.

My advice, is to continue what you are doing.

Hi M.!

God bless you and your big beautiful boy! Here are my thoughts...Breastfeeding is the best way to nourish and comfort your child. He does not need anything else and there are medical reasons (allergies, etc.) not to introduce cereal any earlier than 4-6mos. Take a moment and honestly think about why you want to do this. Are you afraid he is not getting all he needs from you? (he is) Is the time you spend bf more than you want to spend? (this is such a short season of life, it will be over before you know it) Remember bf is not only feeding, your baby also looks to the breast for comfort and security. This big world is a scary place and a lot to take in for an 11 week infant, and you, mom, have what it take to make him feel safe and secure, what a gift!

I have 3 children, the 1st was bf until the same age as your baby, and then, on the advise of others and since I had to return to work part-time, I introduced a bottle and before I really grasped what was happening, he was weaned. My next child I chose to bf exclusively, and when those same people started pressuring me to give a bottle, I just smiled, said thanks for the advise, and kept right on bf. We did this for 13 mos. He ate solids at 6 mos and did everything on schedule, but I was always able to comfort and sooth him (especially in the middle of the night!) Now with my third (a girl! :-) she is 9 mos and still bf, she eats solids beautifully and drinks from a cup. But I cherish our time bf because I know how quickly it will all come to and end.

Wow, didn't mean to be so long winded! In a nutshell, just don't be in a hurry for the next step with your babe, it all happens soon enough. And remember, bf is the natural and best way for you and your baby, take the time for both of you, you will not be sorry.

Kind regards,
J. M.

Hopefully, you have a pediatrician whose advice you trust, and the bottom line is you should be following his/her advice or finding a new doctor you trust...
Having said that, my mom said everyone in that generation gave their kids (i.e. me) cereal in the bottle at a really early age and fed them baby food at a really early age and "it didn't hurt them". My sister and I have all kinds of allergies and who knows if any of that had to do with early intro to foods. My children have all had eczema, and for this baby I listened to my doctor's advice to wait until about 5 months old before intro of solids. But you either go with your gut or what your doctor says, and hopefully your doctor will say what you want to hear! I'm sure you'll hear conflicting advice on this board.

Both of my children were on the same boat. They loved there milk but needed something a little heavier to hold them off because it was like every 2 1/2 to 3hours feedings (breast feeding). At about 11 or 12 weeks I introduced 2 baby spoons as a start to there baby milk of cereal. Believe me there tummy isnt so big where they need more than that. Then around 16 to 20 weeks you can up to 4 spoons. Every child is different and will be able to intak different amounts but the most important thing is that you dont want to over due it to where the baby gains to much weight to fast you know. Then when they reach 6 months if your baby is anything like my little porky piggy she would still wake up for bottles at night. So I would by fruit baby food and put a little of that in her milk at night only and that worked great too (at six months) . Another thing I would only give the baby cereal at night to start him off.

Introducing cereal to your child before 4-6 months (and the newest research really says not until six months) puts them at risk in the future for diabetes and obesity, not to mention it is a choking hazard, he doesn't have the swallowing ability to handle it. Don't do it.
It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of breastfeeding as he is thriving on your breastmilk. All babies cluster feed, that is perfectly normal. Sounds like you are doing a great job just as it is.
Oh, and I managed to pump at work until DD was a year and never had to give her formula (she is still nursing at sixteen months but gets cows milk when I am at work now). It is not an easy task, but you can do it. Pumping takes practice. I learned that the more stressed I got about making enough, the worst it got. I pumped extra on weekends and in the evening to get a freezer stash of milk. Eventually he will be sleeping longer at night (get a copy of No Cry Sleep Solution) and the cluster feeding helps with that (I remember dd would cluster feed from 5pm until 10 I swear, but then she would sleep for a long time afterward - like four or five hours!). I don't know how I survived the sleep deprivation, but I did, and I dont remember it now.) Hang in there you are doing a good job.

Hunnie,

My son was 16 lbs at 4 weeks old! My dr recommended to me to start giving him rice cereal, because I was breastfeeding and it was all I did all day long! It's not going to hurt him any, I'm sure alot of women on here will disagree with me, but I'm telling you this, because I've been in the same situation! Just get a cheap $1 bottle from walmart, the small Parent's Choice ones, cut the nipple slightly with a knife, start with a ounce of cereal and 3 of milk...he'll love it!! Not only will it keep him satisfied, but he will sleep longer! I added an extra 1/2 ounce each month and at 3 mnths he wasn't even drinking it, he was eating from the spoon and eating veggies and fruit. He's never had any kind of negative effect because of this. No extra gas, no belly aches, no uncontrolable crying...just happy and satisfied. Do it, not only for your baby, but for yourself as well!!!

Jenn

Like the two jennifers that also responded, my son was very big and given rice cereal at an early age. He's now nearly 3, and a very big, healthy boy, with absolutely no allergies, or any kind of problem. I'm not real thrilled with pediatricians in the first place because they seem to think that their way is the only way, and that's it. That said, my son's pediatrician is Dr. Kimberly Rohaley in Fort Myers, and she's pretty reasonable. :)

Oh please do not! Did you know that introducing foods prior to 6 months increases your child's chances of having diabetes and struggling with obesity later in life? It is a slippery slope. You child;s gut is completely pure and clean right now having only had bm (good job Mama!) keep it that way as long as you possibly can. Until about 6 months your baby is actually missing the enzymes needed to digest food properly, early feeding is just not a good idea! 15 Lbs at 11 weeks is perfectly normal and acceptable for a solely bf baby. He is cluster feeding to increase your supply to meet his demand. He is likely starting the 3 month growth spurt. Spend a few good days cuddling and nurse, nurse, nursing and I guarantee he will be satisfied!

If you have anymore questions contact your local LLL representative at 1-800-La-Leche. Good luck Mama!

I wouldn't give him any cereal in his food until he is 4 months. Giving a food to a child too soon has been linked to food allergeies later in life. I would hate to think what you would feel if you did feed your child rice or oatmeal cereal in his bottle only to have him allergic to rice or oatmeal (or any other cereal base) because it was given too soon. I know it is hard, but babies just eat often.

My husband in in medical school and this is a recent study's results

I think 11 weeks old is a little young personally I started it at around 20 weeks. And it did help a little with the sleeping.

Your his Mom, you know him best. That being said, I gave my babies cereal way before the 4 months - they all handled it fine. AND slept much better at night. Try a small amount, diluted w/ lots of milk - see how he handles it. The reason most peds say four months, is their stomach isn't fully developed until then, and there are actually tiny holes in the stomach lining - causing, drs think - colic - usually after 4 months, the tiny holes have closed themselves, and colic stops. But try a bit, if he is overly fussy or won't take it, hold off, try again in a few weeks, but if he likes it and seems to be okay - continue on! My kids are 18 months to six years and all doing GREAT! Good luck!

Cereal is what they recommend to moms who's babies aren't gaining weight. So unless you want your little one to bulk up I wouldn't do it.

M.,

My son was about 15 pounds at 8 1/2 weeks old. and breast feeding CONSTANTLY! So I introduced cereal to him, but NOT in a BOTTLE. I spoon fed him. (of course most of it came out of his mouth) but some of it sure did make it to his belly, because he started sleeeping through the night, almost immediatly. :) I know its not what the doctor recomends, but , you are the parent , and its really your call, ONLY you know your baby. Hope this helps. if anything, email me sometime, ____@____.com, (I have 3 kids , so lots of advice to share) :) oh and I wouldnt worry about allergies, I fed all my kids early, and they are fine, also I was fed and my siblings early and we are fine. Use your mommy instincts. oh and I am working and still nursing my 10 month old, its tough, and lots and lots of pumping. :)

J.

Every child is different and therefor have different needs. Many parents do start the rice cereal earlier than 4 mos.! My girlfriend stated both her sons on cereal at 2 wks. as they were both breastfeed and need a little something more. My son will be 12 wks. on Tue. and I just bought cereal this weekend. He's a big baby as well. Born 8 lbs. 13 oz. he's now 13 lbs. and I feel he could use a little extra now. You'll hear a lot of opinions and the Dr. will tell you what's in the textbooks as "normal" however, we know our babies best... It definately won't hurt him! Good luck!

I was also in the same situation with my baby, he's now 5 months and over 20lbs, I didn't want to give him cereal too early but I started at 14 weeks, he was so ready for it, he had been sleeping thru the night and then stopped as he just wasn't getting enough, he now is so happy and sleeps 12 hours every night.. My only advice would be to go with what you think is right for you and your baby, everyone is different.. Best of Luck..

I've always heard of waiting until 4 months. But I have a girlfriend in the same situation, she eventually had to put her son on cereal (in his bottle) just so that he wasn't hungry anymore. She was breastfeeding too, but nothing was satisfing him. I think you need to speak with your doctor, she'll know what to do. But also remember that no one knows your baby like you do, ultimatly do what you feel is right.

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond! I breastfed my son exclusively until he was about 12 weeks old and my doctor okay'd cereal at 3 months old. It didn't help him sleep any though. The best advice I can give is yes it may help fill him up and yes it may help him sleep, but every baby is different and you'll never know how yours is until you try. I hope I was helpful.

I'm for the cereal I started giving my daughter cereal at 2 week old cause all she did was cry i fed her some in her bottle and she stopped crying so i'm for the cereal. but honestly you should go by your own feeling! you know what they say "a mom knows best" and just do what you think is best every child is different!

My little girl was like that. She can sure pack a bottle away..we started adding a little bit of cereal in her formula because it just was not cutting it. She is fine.. and healthy. So I'm for a little cereal.. it's not like you are giving them a bowl of it... just a little to thicken up the milk. Go from feeding 7 oz every 2 hours to feeding 6 oz every 4 hours is nice. I however wouldn't start him on any 1st stage foods until at least 4 or 5 months because babies can form allergies prior to that. Hope all works out.

I say go for it. Feed the cereal it wont hurt him. My son was two months when he started having cereal. And now he is going to be 3 in June. He is 39 lbs and 3foot 2 inches. He has no alergies to anything. Cereal works, he got full and slept longer.

hi M.,

If your motherly instinct is telling you try wellthen try and if you see his tummy gets upset than stop but at least you wont be in doubt. I dont mean to sound careless but if you don't try you'll always be in doubt. Like all the other moms have said also I have heard to wait till at least until 4 months but every child is different. If you decide to try cereal I was recommended to start with a softer cereal for their tummy like oatmeal. Good luck!

NO!!! Breast milk is the only food a baby needs for the first 5 months of life. The fact that your doctor said 4 months is good fo ryou but I started at 6 months with my son. I stopped nursing him at 14 months (about 2 weeks ago) He was a huge baby but it will wear off once you stop! Breastfed babied drop weight rapidly once they are weened! Dont worry he is getting plenty of nutrition, so please dont concider bread and cereal as more nutrtion than your breast milk! Good Luck--C.

Wow! You've gotten a lot of advice so far, but my two cents is to wait. Babies have very sensitive digestive systems and if they are exposed to cereals too early they may be prone to developing allergies. Cereal is not the cure-all of sleeping longer or satisfying hunger (although most Grandmas these days will tell you otherwise.) Have you tried a pacifier? He may just want to suck, rather than eat.

Please wait on the cereal, it really dosen't help them sleep better at night. He is a healthy baby, all on breastmilk! It may also constipate him.

Breastfeed babies need to be fed on demand for at least the 1st year IMO, this helps your supply also. Breastmilk is digested way faster than artificial baby milk.

Have you thought about co-sleeping? It saved me so much when I went back to work. It takes some time but eventually I could nurse and sleep at the same time! I slept w/o a shirt so my son could help himself, lol.

I pumped at work for 16mo. It can be done! You just need to make sure and stick to a schedule! And don't let your work give you a hard time, they have to let you pump. I got a note from my ped telling them to give me so many breaks for so long each day.

Check out askdrsears.com and get in touch with your local LLL group, they can help you and have a library of books on breastfeeding and working and pumping. Also there are yahoo groups for working, breastfeeding mom's. Those helped me a lot!

PM me if you have any other questions or want support! I'm still nursing my son now at 29mo.

You are giving your child the best gift that will last a lifetime, keep it up!

http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/older/solids.html

http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/solidfood.html

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html

just from my experience my little one was 11 weeks and weighed 18 lbs and was eating 8 ounces every 3 hours

i talked to my doctor and he told me that it was okay to start introducing food because he was eating too much formula

i would go ahead and introduce just make it really watery and spoon it to him with your breastmilk

my little one loved it and now is on other solids like fruit