How early to start cereal in formula??

DD is 8 week and i have been reading about adding cereal to her formula, also helps with the sleeping problem, which DD hasn't slept well at night lately.

Is 8 weeks to early and how much should i put, she is dirnking 4-5 ounce bottles every 3-4 hours.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

My ped said not to do this unless the baby has some sort of reflux issues. I have heard that it is a myth that they will sleep longer. If it does happen when you start cereal in the bottle, it is purely a coincidence.
It can also be a choking hazard.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

Message edited 10/1/2009 7:52:13 AM.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

talk to your pediatrician! whatever works for you & your DC. My niece slept better with it.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

we actually started ds on cereal at 4 weeks... not in the bottle but spoon feeding him... we had no choice do to him drinking 65 ounces a day... he did perfectly fine with it

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

My ped. said 4 months. It never helped my DS sleep.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

We started DS on rice cereal at about 11 or 12 weeks old per the pediatrician due to reflux. Honestly, it didn't cause him to sleep any longer at night. I would ask your ped.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

We didn't start cereal until almost 4 months by our ped recommendation. The only time they suggest cereal in the bottle is when a baby has reflux. Even at 4 months the cereal did not help Kaydyn sleep any better.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

I'd speak to your pediatrician first. Most don't recommend starting cereal before 4-6 months unless there are reflux issues. It's a myth that cereal will help babies sleep better. Could DC still have days and nights confused? Try keeping the lights on, noise, etc during the day to keep DC more awake.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

Talk to your Ped... my Ped said to start at 4 months with oatmeal. DS turned 4 months on Monday so we're starting this weekend. We would've started earlier, but I've been sick with a bad cold so I want to feed him.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

i would def. speak to your ped first... i with out the peds consent started cereal off a spoon 2 tsp at about 8 weeks (PLEASE DO NOT FLAME ME) she was HUNGRY and would scream, so i only gave it to her at night before bed and she did GREAT with it. i made it formula and made sure she was sitting upright and watched her movements with her tounge. to make sure she was ok. and she started sleeping through the night so in my case i think it helpped.

then we stopped because she was starving after every bottle we spoke to the ped and she changed her formula and toldme to start adding cereal to each bottle (shes 12 weeks now) 1 for the hungr and 2 for the reflux she just started with. shes been doing fabulous with it.

check with your doc, but i also say use your mommy instinct.

Message edited 10/1/2009 11:57:47 AM.

Re: How early to start cereal in formula??

Thanks ladies, i talked to DD's pediatrician and she recommended waiting until 4 months since she doesn't have reflux and her digestive system isn't developed enough yet to digest it properly.

Thanks!