Mesothelioma

Rice cereal to an 8 week old?

So here's my dilemma. I took my 8 week old to the dr today for his 2 month shots and she informed that since he weighs close enough to 13 pounds that i should start putting rice cereal in his bottle a couple times a day. Well, he obviously has a low pain tolerance because he's been screaming all night long whenever anything touches his little thighs where he had his shots and so after his bath i gave him some cereal in his bottle. Well, he just drank it and now i'm all worried about him being too young for rice cereal so i got on the internet and looked it up and havent found too many positive things about giving an infant cereal in the bottle. I've got myself all worried. She also said to give a tsp for every ounce but he only eats about 4 ounces every 3 hours and so i only gave 3 tsps. He spits up a lot and so now i'm worried he might spit up during the night and choke on it. Opinions?

Public Comments

1. 8 weeks is too young. And it is not a good idea to give it in a bottle. It looks like he's gaining weight really well, so why would you change anything?
2. don't ever do that again is all i can say o and that whoever told you that knows NOTHING
3. Just calm down. You are correct, putting cereal in bottles is a no-no, giving a 8 week old cereal at all is a no-no but I'm sure nothing horrible is going to happen. It's going to be OK. I do, however, suggest that you change doctors. I have never heard of a doctor telling a parent to give an 8 week old cereal let alone in a bottle.
4. I started giving my kids cereal at 6 weeks b/c they were sooo. hungry all of the time. It really helped them go longer with out eatting, but I fed it to them by spoon, not the bottle. The cereal might also help with the spitting up too. If you're that worried about it just stay up for a while to make sure that he is o.k. or put him in bed with you. Good luck!!
5. I have always heard that rice cereal in the bottle is a bad idea also. I have heard that it is mostly because you want to teach the baby the difference between eating and drinking. But 8 weeks old is far to early for a baby to be learning that anyways. In my opinion 8 weeks old is too young for rice cereal, but I am not a doctor. I cannot possibly think of one reason why your doctor would want you to do this. I think if it is something you don't agree with, or something that scares you, I would stop doing it immediately. Call your doctor's office and see if the doctor might be able to talk with you about your concerns. Listen to your gut, usually YOU know what is best for your baby!
6. You're not hurting him at all! But I agree, there's no reason for cereal now. Many people suggest breastmilk/formula EXCLUSIVELY for 6 months. If he's gaining weight and hitting milestones, I wouldn't worry about it!
7. My suggestion is to wait on the cereal. My daughters more then doubled her weight but we dont have to start her on cereal. Im sure he'll be fine today but dont continue this habit. Allot of doctors were trained along time ago and still believe allot of the older advice on child feeding. I was started on pablum when I was 8 weeks but most of the research says to wait till their closer to 6 months.
8. My son had acid reflux and the only thing that would help him keep his formula down was cereal. So he has had that since he was about 2 weeks old. My best advice is go ask your grandma or an older aunt in your family. It may take a few days before his digestive system becomes adjusted to this but in the long run it helps. He will sleep longer because the cereal helps keep him fuller longer. And as far as choking on his spitup babies will turn their heads when they puke. Thats why they should always sleep on thier back and not on sides or stomach. Hope this makes sense.
9. i gave my daughter just a tsp of cereal only in her nighttime bottle at about 4 months. i was told by other moms it would help her sleep. but her doctor was incistent on her not having actual cereal from a spoon until 6 months. i guess babies under 6 months will have a higher chance of developing allergies later on if you introduce foods to early. bottom line though, you are your childs mother. and if you want to wait, then wait until you feel your child is ready for the cereal. there are too many things to stress about when youre a mom. especially with your first child. so just take your time, and enjoy your baby. good luck!
10. My opinion is that you have a very ignorant and outdated pediatrician, that needs to rely on updated information rather than the info from back in the day. Rice cereal that young is definatly a no-go situation. Don't give it to him anymore, regardless of what the doctor says. The only time an infant that young should be given cereal if for reflux. And I still think it could be bad. Doctors suggest that babies who are not gaining weight properly and need extra calories start at 3 1/2 months. FORMULA or BREASTMILK is ALL a baby needs for their first year of life. Kudos to you for reasearching this. You are a great mother.
11. The American Academy of Pediactrics does not recommend giving solids before 6 months, but most doctors recommend rice cereal to formula fed babies at 4-5 months. I would skip it, trust your instincts. Rice baby cereal is worthless nutritionally and baby is essentially filling up on 'junk food'. Just keep giving the bottles and find a new pedi. Baby needs the fats and nutrition from the bottles for brain development and muscle development too.
12. you have a stupid "doctor"
13. Make sure it's really really soupy consistency. Both my sons were eating Pablum rice cereal in the hospital at 3 days old. { Dr.'s orders} They were 9 lbs. & 9.4lbs. at birth. Hungry babies are awake and cranky babies. Full tummies help you sleep, remember Xmas and Thanksgiving? His crying when you touch his thighs is from the shot, that will go away in a couple of days. Warm baths, a full tummy and lots of cuddles. Make sure there's at least an hour between feeding time and bedtime and then the spitting up should be over.