Too early for baby oatmeal?

Question

My son is 2 months old and I just gave him half an ounce of baby oatmeal cereal mixed with formula. My mom started me on rice cereal when I was 3 months and I was a premie, much smaller than him. I'm only doing this because he eats 5 ounces every 2 hours and at night he'll cluster feed every 45 minutes and I haven't slept! Is it too soon? Or small portions okay? I just want to help him stay full longer at night

Accepted Answer

Yes it is too soon. No organization suggests anything but breast milk or formula for the first six months. Research has come a long way since your mother had you. When you know better you do better. There are zero studies showing that adding rice cereal to a bottle helps an infant sleep longer periods.

Answer

Way too soon.

Answer

You are about 4 months to early. Introducing solids before 6 months can cause long term health problems. Please do your research. 
You can look up World Health Organization, kellymom, Dr Sears and American Pediatric Association for info from reputable sources.

And adding anything to a bottle besides liquid is a choking hazard.

Feed your baby more formula if he's still hungry. Don't risk his long term health.

Answer

You should always talk to his pediatrician before doing something like that. Cereal in a bottle is considered a choking hazard and is only recommended in some cases of reflux. There's no proof that it keeps them full longer. Plus, cluster feeding usually accompanies a growth spurt & filling his stomach with cereal denies him the necessary nutrition he needs bc he's too small to be able to properly first the nutrients in the cereal.

Answer

Talk to your pediatrician.  For most kids, 2 months is too early.  A lot of (older) people will encourage you to give cereal early because they think thick means fuller (and it is what they did) but calorie wise, the baby gets more calories per oz from milk than from cereal.

Answer

Four months minimum to start on any kind of food. The idea of longer sleeps is tempting but not worth the risk

Answer

I would wait until your son is at least four months old and has been given the okay from your pediatrician. I know you want more sleep, but trust that will come when your baby is ready!

Answer

Babies stomach don't have the enzymes to break down solids until 4 months. That's why doctors recommend it then.

Answer

Don't we all want to sleep longer at night? My son cluster feeds in the evenings (every hour). I am tired and sore, but it is what he needs. I am not going to take a short cut for my own convenience. Talk to your pediatrician.

Answer

It's way too soon for anything besides formula or breast milk. I know those times are very hard as I've been through it recently with my son but cereal/oatmeal does not keep a baby full any longer than formula and their stomach isn't capable of proper digestion of solids at this point.

You can make it through this! Frequent waking is normal, especially during growth spurts!   Before long this will pass and you'll both be able to sleep a little better!

Too early for baby oatmeal?

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