RP: Rice cereal in bottles

KimRN

So my twins are 4weeks old.  They are and have been drinking 4oz bottles of pumped breastmilk every 2 1/2 to 3 hrs.  The thing is they are still hungry when they finish.  We try to use other methods to soothe them.  Rocking, swaddeling, swing, bouncy seat, you get the point.  They will usually take another 1-2 oz.  I THINK THIS IS A CRAZY AMOUNT!!!!  My pedi said that we could mix the breastmilk 1/2 &1/2 with formula.  Well I think that is defeating the purpose of pumping.  He aslo said that what he recommends is mixing 1 tablespoon of rice cereal per 1oz of formula.  My husband questioned him thinking it was TOO early and he said they have done it as early as 1 week.  He said they are just trying to play catch up.  Has anyone had to do this?  How did it work for you?  ANY other suggestions?

seattlestef

Do you have more breastmilk available? I would give them a bigger bottle. I had to supplement with formula for the entire time. As long as they are getting some breastmilk I don't think it defeats the purpose of pumping. They are still getting all the good stuff from bm, but may just need more than you can produce.

janjag

holy cow, hungry babies huh?  if the babies can hold down more milk/formula, why is it a problem to give them more at a feeding?  if they're not spitting it all back up, why not just give them more?  i agree, it does sound like alot at that age. 

and sounds way too soon for rice cereal.  there is high-cal formula (neosure) which we used as ours needed to bulk up.  but it didn't stop my smaller girl from wanting to eat every 2hrs (drove me nuts).

 

Dec31stBride

I wouldn't do the rice cereal. I'd rather give more breast milk or add in some formula.