When to introduce cereal? Is it the right first food?

CJPowers · August 2012

So I have thought that I would try to EBF until 6 months, but DD is hungry! The child nurses around the clock! I was up every single hour tonight! Mor than when she was a newborn! She needs more food. Should into cereal (whole grain organic) or not? Should I try a different first like sweet potato or avocado?

acbfreire · August 2012

Is she going through a growth spurt or wonder week? I would wait a bit and see if she spaces out the feedings. Is she producing enough dirty diapers?

pepomntpat · August 2012

It is best to wait until 6 months. Waking frequently is very, very normal at 4 months. I was in a haze of sleeplessness and I know it is hard. But, it is a normal developmental stage and will not get better because of what you feed her. One thing you can try is to nurse more during the day. Go somewhere quiet and nurse. But, unfortunately this is just something all moms have to get through.

Also, DD has never had cereal. We waited until she was 5 months and 3 weeks old and gave her some mango and avocado. She was ready at that point to pick up food and eat it. No need for purees and spoon feeding. HTH!

jlsimon56 · August 2012

We also waited, based on AAP recs, LO wasn't showing signs of being ready (couldn't sit on her own until 6.5 months), and laziness on my part - BM sure is a lot easier to "prepare" than food food. :-)

We also skipped cereal b/c it's just blah, boring. We wanted LO to love/enjoy foods with flavor!

CJPowers · August 2012

It's just so hard because my husband is pissed about the whole situation. He keeps telling me that we need to introduce rice cereal because she is hungry and we are not giving her enough to eat. She has plenty of dirty diapers and has more than doubled her birth weight, but she is going through the four month wakeful period. He just says that he wants to try cereal because she is hungry. It is hard because we are fighting all the time about this. I just don't know what to do. I know one thing, we see the pedi on Tues and DH says that if the pedi gives the go ahead he is going to introduce it. I could cry!

miniray · August 2012

DS started doing the same thing, went from nursing 7-8x in 24 hours to now 13-14x in 24 hours. However, his diapers were getting lighter and lighter and he wasn`t gaining weight appropriately. My supply is too low for him. I as well am debating on starting solids in order to make up for my low supply.

I`m currently seeing a LC for help to increase my supply. Yesterday he needed 12oz of my freezer stash as supplement.

Do you think it could be a supply issue? Everyone kept telling me DS was going through a growth spurt or 4 month wakeful but for us it`s actually a low supply issue.

DS and I are thinking about starting him on avocado or sweet potatoes or something, we don`t really like the idea of cereal that and he`s MSPI and it`s really hard to find infant cereal that is MSPI friendly.

The LC told me to hold off and try to increase my supply first before thinking about solids. Because introducing solids may have a negative effect on my supply as well.

Maybe do a weighted feed just to see how much your LO is getting at each feed just to rule out supply issue. HTH.

mrs.gee · August 2012

As others have said, you could meet with an LC to do a weighed feeding. Your LO is on the young side for solids and the amount she'll eat at this point will have only a negligible effect on how full she is. It's probably just that dreaded 4m wakeful period. Good luck.

CJPowers · August 2012

miniray:
DS started doing the same thing, went from nursing 7-8x in 24 hours to now 13-14x in 24 hours. However, his diapers were getting lighter and lighter and he wasn`t gaining weight appropriately. My supply is too low for him. I as well am debating on starting solids in order to make up for my low supply.

I`m currently seeing a LC for help to increase my supply. Yesterday he needed 12oz of my freezer stash as supplement.

Do you think it could be a supply issue? Everyone kept telling me DS was going through a growth spurt or 4 month wakeful but for us it`s actually a low supply issue.

DS and I are thinking about starting him on avocado or sweet potatoes or something, we don`t really like the idea of cereal that and he`s MSPI and it`s really hard to find infant cereal that is MSPI friendly.

The LC told me to hold off and try to increase my supply first before thinking about solids. Because introducing solids may have a negative effect on my supply as well.

Maybe do a weighted feed just to see how much your LO is getting at each feed just to rule out supply issue. HTH.

Yes, I do think my supply might be low. I used to have this "full" feeling and I just don't anymore. What is a weighted feed? I have not heard of that before. Also, what is MSPI? Also, I want to build up my freezer stash (I only have 20oz) but I'm not sure when to pump since she is nursing every 2 hours.

Oh and about the 4 mo wakeful period... What I've read says LO's are not eating well during the day but that's not true for DD. It's just the two of us here and it's quiet. She is getting a full feeding each time.

miniray · August 2012

CJPowers:
miniray:

DS started doing the same thing, went from nursing 7-8x in 24 hours to now 13-14x in 24 hours. However, his diapers were getting lighter and lighter and he wasn`t gaining weight appropriately. My supply is too low for him. I as well am debating on starting solids in order to make up for my low supply.

I`m currently seeing a LC for help to increase my supply. Yesterday he needed 12oz of my freezer stash as supplement.

Do you think it could be a supply issue? Everyone kept telling me DS was going through a growth spurt or 4 month wakeful but for us it`s actually a low supply issue.

DS and I are thinking about starting him on avocado or sweet potatoes or something, we don`t really like the idea of cereal that and he`s MSPI and it`s really hard to find infant cereal that is MSPI friendly.

The LC told me to hold off and try to increase my supply first before thinking about solids. Because introducing solids may have a negative effect on my supply as well.

Maybe do a weighted feed just to see how much your LO is getting at each feed just to rule out supply issue. HTH.

Yes, I do think my supply might be low. I used to have this "full" feeling and I just don't anymore. What is a weighted feed? I have not heard of that before. Also, what is MSPI? Also, I want to build up my freezer stash (I only have 20oz) but I'm not sure when to pump since she is nursing every 2 hours.

Oh and about the 4 mo wakeful period... What I've read says LO's are not eating well during the day but that's not true for DD. It's just the two of us here and it's quiet. She is getting a full feeding each time.

A weighed feed is when you weigh the baby pre and post feed to see how much they are drinking. MSPI is a milk and soy protein intolerance. DS reacts to my BM if I eat any dairy or soy (gassy, green mucusy poops, blood in stool, etc).

I too was pumping for a freezer stash, I would pump once in the morning after his first feed. I'm not able to do that anymore because I just don't have the milk to do it. I used to get 2 oz a day for my freezer, now if I pump I get maybe half an oz combined both breasts. If your supply is low you may have to put off making a stash until it picks back up again.

Have you called a lactation consultant? I've been seeing one for my supply issues and she's really helped me, and she can do the weighed feed for you.

My DS isn't distracted while feeding either, that's why I knew it wasn't just the 4 month wakeful. I'm home alone with him all day and he isn't distracted while feeding. He does however get frustrated when my flow slows down and he will unlatch and search for the other breast. But while he's feeding he is concentrated on feeding, he doesn't even look around (his eyes are closed most of the time).

I think your best bet is to meet with a LC.

To increase my supply i've been taking Fenugreek, eating oatmeal, eating lactation cookies and pumping 6x a day for 15minutes to stimulate milk production. I do supplement DS with expressed BM when he doesn't seem satisfied after nursing, usually in the evening. So whatever milk I pumped that day he gets in a bottle plus some BM from my freezer stash. Yesterday he had 12oz of expressed BM. And that's after nursing him every 2 hours all day/night (I nurse on demand). I don't like the idea of supplementing him, but he wasn't having enough wet diapers and he wasn't gaining weight. Whenever he does need a bottle I pump for 15-20minutes while DH gives him the bottle.

So far my supply hasn't increased. I think my next step is domperidone but i'm trying to avoid that.

HTH, let me know if you have any questions.

PotomacSt · August 2012

There is nothing healthy or filling about baby rice cereal anyway. It's such a simple carbohydrate that it is basically metabolized just like sugar - absorbed fast, gives you energy very fast, then leaves you tired and still hungry. Foods like mangoes and avocados have fiber and fats in them to make them more filling because they digest more slowly.

jlsimon56 · August 2012

My DH and I used to fight about it too. He didn't want LO crying, didn't want her hungry, etc. I get that. It sounds like your DH only wants what's best for your LO. You can't really fault a parent for that.... But he needs to know that BM IS what's best right now.

EMOmamma · August 2012

mananana:
CJPowers:
It's just so hard because my husband is pissed about the whole situation. He keeps telling me that we need to introduce rice cereal because she is hungry and we are not giving her enough to eat. She has plenty of dirty diapers and has more than doubled her birth weight, but she is going through the four month wakeful period. He just says that he wants to try cereal because she is hungry. It is hard because we are fighting all the time about this. I just don't know what to do. I know one thing, we see the pedi on Tues and DH says that if the pedi gives the go ahead he is going to introduce it. I could cry!
You need to sit down and have a calm, rational conversation about how very important it is for you to get on the same page as parents.

Yes, yes you do. This is really not such a big deal that you should be fighting and crying about it.

While normally I would say wait until 6 month it may be a worthwhile compromise in your case. Your H likely feels left out as far as feeding goes and he really wants to participate (which is a good thing). You don't start feeding large quantities - its only a tablespoon or two and baby will probably only swallow half of that at most. And that's only once per day (usually dinner).

I guess what I'm saying is go ahead & let it be something special between H & LO. I really don't think a tiny bit of rice cereal (mixed w/ BM) is going to hurt her at her age, it's not necessary but not actually harmful. Don't replace a real feeding, do it about 30-60min after you nurse.

CJPowers · August 2012

EMO-mamma:
mananana:
CJPowers:
It's just so hard because my husband is pissed about the whole situation. He keeps telling me that we need to introduce rice cereal because she is hungry and we are not giving her enough to eat. She has plenty of dirty diapers and has more than doubled her birth weight, but she is going through the four month wakeful period. He just says that he wants to try cereal because she is hungry. It is hard because we are fighting all the time about this. I just don't know what to do. I know one thing, we see the pedi on Tues and DH says that if the pedi gives the go ahead he is going to introduce it. I could cry!
You need to sit down and have a calm, rational conversation about how very important it is for you to get on the same page as parents.
Yes, yes you do. This is really not such a big deal that you should be fighting and crying about it.
While normally I would say wait until 6 month it may be a worthwhile compromise in your case. Your H likely feels left out as far as feeding goes and he really wants to participate (which is a good thing). You don't start feeding large quantities - its only a tablespoon or two and baby will probably only swallow half of that at most. And that's only once per day (usually dinner).
I guess what I'm saying is go ahead & let it be something special between H & LO. I really don't think a tiny bit of rice cereal (mixed w/ BM) is going to hurt her at her age, it's not necessary but not actually harmful. Don't replace a real feeding, do it about 30-60min after you nurse.

I talked to DH and he is willing to do whatever is best. I had him read some articles from kellymom's website about formula and food not making baby sleep through the night. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that it is something special between him and her. Also, DD does not take a bottle at all. She crys through his feedings so it is really hard for him to feel "successful" at feeding her because he gets so frustrated. We are still working on that! You are right that a little bit won't hurt. I told him I want to wait till the pediatrician's visit on Tuesday to see what they say and go from there.

CJPowers · August 2012

miniray:
CJPowers:
miniray:

DS started doing the same thing, went from nursing 7-8x in 24 hours to now 13-14x in 24 hours. However, his diapers were getting lighter and lighter and he wasn`t gaining weight appropriately. My supply is too low for him. I as well am debating on starting solids in order to make up for my low supply.

I`m currently seeing a LC for help to increase my supply. Yesterday he needed 12oz of my freezer stash as supplement.

Do you think it could be a supply issue? Everyone kept telling me DS was going through a growth spurt or 4 month wakeful but for us it`s actually a low supply issue.

DS and I are thinking about starting him on avocado or sweet potatoes or something, we don`t really like the idea of cereal that and he`s MSPI and it`s really hard to find infant cereal that is MSPI friendly.

The LC told me to hold off and try to increase my supply first before thinking about solids. Because introducing solids may have a negative effect on my supply as well.

Maybe do a weighted feed just to see how much your LO is getting at each feed just to rule out supply issue. HTH.

Yes, I do think my supply might be low. I used to have this "full" feeling and I just don't anymore. What is a weighted feed? I have not heard of that before. Also, what is MSPI? Also, I want to build up my freezer stash (I only have 20oz) but I'm not sure when to pump since she is nursing every 2 hours.

Oh and about the 4 mo wakeful period... What I've read says LO's are not eating well during the day but that's not true for DD. It's just the two of us here and it's quiet. She is getting a full feeding each time.

A weighed feed is when you weigh the baby pre and post feed to see how much they are drinking. MSPI is a milk and soy protein intolerance. DS reacts to my BM if I eat any dairy or soy (gassy, green mucusy poops, blood in stool, etc).

I too was pumping for a freezer stash, I would pump once in the morning after his first feed. I'm not able to do that anymore because I just don't have the milk to do it. I used to get 2 oz a day for my freezer, now if I pump I get maybe half an oz combined both breasts. If your supply is low you may have to put off making a stash until it picks back up again.

Have you called a lactation consultant? I've been seeing one for my supply issues and she's really helped me, and she can do the weighed feed for you.

My DS isn't distracted while feeding either, that's why I knew it wasn't just the 4 month wakeful. I'm home alone with him all day and he isn't distracted while feeding. He does however get frustrated when my flow slows down and he will unlatch and search for the other breast. But while he's feeding he is concentrated on feeding, he doesn't even look around (his eyes are closed most of the time).

I think your best bet is to meet with a LC.

To increase my supply i've been taking Fenugreek, eating oatmeal, eating lactation cookies and pumping 6x a day for 15minutes to stimulate milk production. I do supplement DS with expressed BM when he doesn't seem satisfied after nursing, usually in the evening. So whatever milk I pumped that day he gets in a bottle plus some BM from my freezer stash. Yesterday he had 12oz of expressed BM. And that's after nursing him every 2 hours all day/night (I nurse on demand). I don't like the idea of supplementing him, but he wasn't having enough wet diapers and he wasn't gaining weight. Whenever he does need a bottle I pump for 15-20minutes while DH gives him the bottle.

So far my supply hasn't increased. I think my next step is domperidone but i'm trying to avoid that.

HTH, let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I am going to meet with a LC on Monday and see what they say! Thanks again.

CJPowers · August 2012

Crash Into Me:
PotomacSt:
There is nothing healthy or filling about baby rice cereal anyway. It's such a simple carbohydrate that it is basically metabolized just like sugar - absorbed fast, gives you energy very fast, then leaves you tired and still hungry. Foods like mangoes and avocados have fiber and fats in them to make them more filling because they digest more slowly.
Exactly this. I noticed you mentioned something about your breasts not feeling full-don't worry this is totally normal. Your body has come to the point that it knows what LO needs (barring any growth spurt) and isn't overproducing like it may have been in the past.
DD's sitter insisted on some kind of cereal, so I sent organic baby oatmeal for a little while and then moved on to regular organic oatmeal. DD's first food, even before the cereal was avocado. She loved it.

My breasts are feeling full at night now since it has been 4 nights of her waking up at 1:00 and 4:00 to feed. It's amazing how the body adjusts.

I know that rice cereal has really no nutritious value. DH has a degree in nutrition and is a personal fitness trainer so we are all about health in our house. I looked into Earth's Best organic whole grain rice cereal for her and I plan on making all of her baby food. If I do not need to do rice cereal at all then I will just skip to avocado or something else... I just wasn't sure if they need to start with rice cereal to make sure they tolerate it or something... thanks!

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