When can I start cereal in the bottle?

laciegregory · November 2013

When my oldest was a baby, I would put cereal in her night time bottle (that's when she started sleeping all night) I just don't remember how old she was?

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Geez. I get so tired of all these uptight mamas. I started my LO at 3 weeks old. She was wanting to eat EVERY hour. When I started the cereal it went to every 3 during the day, and by 4-5 wks old she was sleeping on average 7-8 hours a night before waking up for a bottle, and before cereal it was every 2-3 hours. She's 9 weeks old now, eats every 4 hrs during the day, and sleeps from 8-4, eats, then back to sleep until 7-8. ALL of us were most likely fed cereal in our bottles (I know I was) and we turned out just fine. I'm a registered nurse and I DO NOT go by the book about everything. Think about it: you drink a glass of water how long will that keep you full? Not very long. Now if you eat a meal it will last a few hours. Same concept with babies. Some of the old remedies are still the best

Mom38673 · November 2013

My daughter slept better once we introduced cereal in her bottle. It was like the formula was water. She couldn't quite get enough down spoon wise at that time, so I put some in her bottle. No one is saying to put enough cereal in it to make it thick. Sometimes a dab will do ya'. Now.... my boy (10 weeks) is a different story. He does have reflux and a milk protein allergy. I do put a small amount of cereal in his bottle at night to thicken the formula (it's quite thin). It does not help him to sleep any longer. He has already showed an interest in food. It's funny, but he will watch you eat. Hang his little mouth open and lean in every time you take a bite. I believe you have to watch your child's ques. Be careful and attentive when trying something new. My daughter was an early eater, and had a full set of teeth by 9 months. It's looking like LO will be doing the same. I would try to keep cereal 3 months or later if possible.

blueeyedrose86 · November 2013

A nurse should know better than to compare water with calorie rich breast milk. OP, cereal is basically garbage in terms of nutrition. It provides nothing for your infant and should be avoided. If you insist on it though, wait until your baby is old enough to eat solids. Their digestive systems aren't mature enough to process foods at a young age. I'm mobile bumping so if you have a ticker or something I can't see how old your LO is.

ASmallWonder · November 2013

I should type this and save it because I've said it so many times. Rice cereal is for babies what rice cakes are for dieting adults. A way to put volume in the stomach to give the feeling of fullness without much caloric impact. A baby gets hungry when their body has burned the calories it needs to grow. Their growth is intense and a huge draw on their supplies. When they are hungry it is because you need to refuel their tank with something that will benefit them. Rice cereal will benefit YOU (IF it even helps their sleep). It does nothing for them.

Also, if solids of any kind were the sleep miracle people want to hope for, every kid would be STTN starting between 4 and 6 months and that just doesn't happen.

laciegregory · November 2013

Thanks for the opinions. I do believe my daughter slept longer because she wasn't hungry for a mid-night feeding. On the other hand the comment by 'elmoali' makes sense to me about the caloric value.

And yes, there are some up-tight mommies on here. Stop attacking each other.

BelhurstBride · November 2013

Ftm201309 said:

Geez. I get so tired of all these uptight mamas. I started my LO at 3 weeks old. She was wanting to eat EVERY hour. When I started the cereal it went to every 3 during the day, and by 4-5 wks old she was sleeping on average 7-8 hours a night before waking up for a bottle, and before cereal it was every 2-3 hours. She's 9 weeks old now, eats every 4 hrs during the day, and sleeps from 8-4, eats, then back to sleep until 7-8. ALL of us were most likely fed cereal in our bottles (I know I was) and we turned out just fine. I'm a registered nurse and I DO NOT go by the book about everything. Think about it: you drink a glass of water how long will that keep you full? Not very long. Now if you eat a meal it will last a few hours. Same concept with babies. Some of the old remedies are still the best

I refuse to believe this isn't mud.

laciegregory · November 2013

I have a feeling you waste a lot of your time trying to educate people.

ASmallWonder · November 2013

laciegregory said:

I have a feeling you waste a lot of your time trying to educate people.

I don't feel it's a waste. I hope you took what I said and take it at it's scientific value. I honestly believe that one of the worst things we can do as parents is be so defensive that we refuse to hear logical information for what it's worth.

laciegregory · November 2013

@ elmoali, what you said made perfect sense. And yes I am open to all opinions/knowledge, otherwise I would not have started the conversation. I just think it's silly for some of these ladies to be so rude to one another because they simply have different opinions.

platypusbaby · November 2013

I dot claim to be an expert, but at my LO's 2 month check up the doctor specifically said "do NOT put cereal in a bottle." I trust that she is an expert and if she went out of her way to make this specific direction then I would listen.

kje120 · November 2013

Ftm201309 said:

Geez. I get so tired of all these uptight mamas. I started my LO at 3 weeks old. She was wanting to eat EVERY hour. When I started the cereal it went to every 3 during the day, and by 4-5 wks old she was sleeping on average 7-8 hours a night before waking up for a bottle, and before cereal it was every 2-3 hours. She's 9 weeks old now, eats every 4 hrs during the day, and sleeps from 8-4, eats, then back to sleep until 7-8. ALL of us were most likely fed cereal in our bottles (I know I was) and we turned out just fine. I'm a registered nurse and I DO NOT go by the book about everything. Think about it: you drink a glass of water how long will that keep you full? Not very long. Now if you eat a meal it will last a few hours. Same concept with babies. Some of the old remedies are still the best

It's called the 3 week growth spurt. And no, I was not fed cereal in my bottles.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Actually my posting wasn't "MUD". And yes, I am a registered nurse. Have been since for 3 years actually. And my mom has been for over 40 years. And YES she put cereal in my bottles, and I turned out just fine. Every baby is different and you can't go by the book on everything. I mean fine if all you "uptight, by the book" mamas want to get up every hour or two, but not for this mama. Actually I didn't start the cereal to make her full. I did it because my baby wasn't getting satisfied with just milk. And if any of you were in the medical field you would know that nurses and doctors don't always do everything "by the book". As people said earlier everyone has different opinions. That's why One of my favorite sayings is "opinions are like assholes, everybody has one"

Ftm201309 · November 2013

And so VERY sorry I compared water to milk!!!! SHAME ON ME! Any "LIQUID" of any form does not compare to "food" that is more filling. Maybe that will help all of you understand it better.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

A gem??? Oh how sweet!

Like I said before, people have different opinions on how to raise their children. The original post was specifically asking about cereal in bottles. Of course EVERYONE has heard NOT to do it. I don't think it was asked SHOULD it be done, it was asked WHEN. So the select few people who don't agree with it should just move on to your "why isn't my baby sleeping all night" posts, or better yet GO READ A DAMN BOOK!

Ftm201309 · November 2013

amercer0 said:
There are pediatricians and even gi pedis that recommend it at this age for acid reflux. It's not poison, it's just not the best option. By reading this forum you would think it's a death sentence.

Can I get an AMEN!!!!!

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Nicb13 said:

Ftm201309 said:

A gem??? Oh how sweet!
Like I said before, people have different opinions on how to raise their children. The original post was specifically asking about cereal in bottles. Of course EVERYONE has heard NOT to do it. I don't think it was asked SHOULD it be done, it was asked WHEN. So the select few people who don't agree with it should just move on to your "why isn't my baby sleeping all night" posts, or better yet GO READ A DAMN BOOK!

But you are shouting about NOT going "by the book". You sure do contradict yourself a lot. And it still scares me that you claim to be an RN...

Are you illiterate? I specifically said all of you who dont agree with the cereal in the bottle to "Go read a damn book!" I mean clearly that's where all of you get your information and how all of you raise your children.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Actually in the medical field things change constantly. Medicines/interventions/treatments. Nothing in medicine is ever permanent.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

RedheadBaker said:

Ftm201309 said:

Actually in the medical field things change constantly. Medicines/interventions/treatments. Nothing in medicine is ever permanent.

Oh, you mean like how pediatricians no longer recommend adding rice cereal to bottles of formula?

Did you not just say some pedis recommend cereal in bottles?? It's not that they DONT recommend it anymore, just in particular situations. So in that case if it is SO HORRIBLE AND DEADLY (how some of you mamas react) then they wouldn't recommend it AT ALL, in any situation.

mamato3girls · November 2013

A newborn NEEDS the nutrition of breastmilk or formula. It isn't just something for them to eat, they actually need the fats and proteins. Cutting any feedings by substituting something that has absolutely no nutritional value is taking away what they actually need. I mean I wouldn't stop giving my older kids fruits and veggies and give them tons of bread instead, they need those fruits and veggies and do not need to fill up on nutritionally void foods. Cereal in a bottle has a purpose in some extreme cases, my nephews had to have their milk thickened with a lot of cereal actually but they were also 29 week preemies who were aspirating and they also brought them in mostly for swallow studies in hopes they could stop the cereal, it was a last resort. We have to do what is best for our babies with the information we know. Maybe recommendations will change but at this point in time we know that it is not recommended to add cereal to a bottle, it can be incredibly dangerous and it is restricting the amount of breastmilk or formula a baby will get.

RivieraBound · November 2013

Ftm201309 said:

Actually my posting wasn't "MUD". And yes, I am a registered nurse. Have been since for 3 years actually. And my mom has been for over 40 years. And YES she put cereal in my bottles, and I turned out just fine. Every baby is different and you can't go by the book on everything. I mean fine if all you "uptight, by the book" mamas want to get up every hour or two, but not for this mama. Actually I didn't start the cereal to make her full. I did it because my baby wasn't getting satisfied with just milk. And if any of you were in the medical field you would know that nurses and doctors don't always do everything "by the book". As people said earlier everyone has different opinions. That's why One of my favorite sayings is "opinions are like assholes, everybody has one"

wow, why did you bother having a child if they are so inconvenient?

Ftm201309 · November 2013

HauntedRadio said:
@Ftm201309 clearly you don't know anything about breast milk. And I'm sorry your newborn was inconveniencing you by waking up because he/she was hungry. Take care of your damn kid.

No, actually I don't because I chose the most deadly sin of NOT to breastfeed!!!!! :O
Lol. Y'all are so easy to get stirred up. Really makes my spare time (while my cereal fed baby is sleeping so peacefully) really entertaining!! Bash on bitches!

PrimRoseMama · November 2013

I don't usually say this, but I feel really bad for @ftm201309 's baby. Seriously. The kid was waking up every hour because they NEED calorie rich, nutritious breast milk &/or formula. NEED.

Your sole responsibility is to feed them when they beg, that's right beg, to be fed. Instead, because it was an **inconvenience** to you, you decided to put a zero calorie filler in the bottle. Your kid is not getting proper nutrition this way.

Think of the nutrients for healthy development that you are depriving your child of when you fill their stomach with rice cereal instead of more feedings that would have value. Really, unless your baby has reflux there is NO good reason to put a choking hazard in the bottle.

I usually say live & let live on feeding choices. However, this is an actual hazard for your baby. You need more education. Good luck to you & really, I hope you will listen.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Actually it's the same amount of feeding. Eating 1 oz every hour compared to 4oz every 4 hrs during the day. Let me break this down for you:
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr= 4 oz every 4 hours!! WOW! She IS getting the SAME nutritional value to every 4 hours as she would every hour!!!! Who would have thought it?!?!

WashingtonQueen · November 2013

@ftm201309, You are trying to come up with excuses for being a neglectful parent. I am truly appalled. It makes me so sad to think about all they ways you will most likely continue to neglect your child for the rest of it's life. Poor baby has done nothing to deserve it.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

MrsMuq said:

Ftm201309 said:

Actually it's the same amount of feeding. Eating 1 oz every hour compared to 4oz every 4 hrs during the day. Let me break this down for you:
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr= 4 oz every 4 hours!! WOW! She IS getting the SAME nutritional value to every 4 hours as she would every hour!!!! Who would have thought it?!?!

Feeding your 2 or 3mo rice cereal in their bottle does not equal the nutritional value of formula or breast milk.

Your child should be getting more ounces of pure formula or breast milk if she's still hungry, not being filled with empty rice cereal filler. You are literally depriving her of the correct calories, fat, proteins, carbs and vitamins she needs to thrive. What part of this don't you understand? And I don't believe for one nanosecond you're an RN.

You don't have to believe me. I have the diploma, the money, and the knowledge to prove it. I don't have to explain myself to a bunch of strangers, and will continue to do what works best for me and my baby. I could really care less about all of your opinions and find them quite entertaining.

Anywho, I'm about to go sleep my peaceful 8-12 hours while my neglected, cereal fed baby sleeps. Feel free to bash on throughout the night. I look forward to reading all the comments in the morning while I sip my coffee after a full nights sleep!

WashingtonQueen · November 2013

You are a disgusting and vile person. I wish I could cuddle that baby and give it the love it deserves.

Please dear god, please be mud.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

LalaMama81 said:
Ftm201309

I love that a few weeks ago you asked about probiotics for your newborn's gas and tummy issues. May I suggest that the cereal is probably the issue? I didn't read that in a book either, just came up w/ it all on my own!

Lol. Stalk much???
And the probiotics fixed that problem. Actually haven't had to use gas drops in weeks now. Thanks for your concern though

RoosterMemphis · November 2013

Ftm201309 said:

Actually my posting wasn't "MUD". And yes, I am a registered nurse. Have been since for 3 years actually. And my mom has been for over 40 years. And YES she put cereal in my bottles, and I turned out just fine. Every baby is different and you can't go by the book on everything. I mean fine if all you "uptight, by the book" mamas want to get up every hour or two, but not for this mama. Actually I didn't start the cereal to make her full. I did it because my baby wasn't getting satisfied with just milk. And if any of you were in the medical field you would know that nurses and doctors don't always do everything "by the book". As people said earlier everyone has different opinions. That's why One of my favorite sayings is "opinions are like assholes, everybody has one"

i bet you could tell me what its like to be so inconvenienced by your baby, that you would give her something she isnt supposed to have just so you dont have to deal with her.

TurtleMomma · November 2013

This thread makes me sad. Very, very sad.

313Meg · November 2013

My LO has severe reflux and his gi dr had us thicken feedings. It gave me such anxiety!!! He has silent reflux but the cereal made him throw up... Every time!

I stopped it after 2 days and of course he was constipated for a week!

Now tgat being said my grandma gave her 4 kids cereal starting at a month. My mom gave her 4 kids cereal... I think it's a more old school practice.

Not my thing though.

girlmama83 · November 2013

@ftm201309

You are an embarrassment to first time mothers like myself. It's ignorance like yours that makes us look bad and uneducated.

My daughter is almost 12 weeks old and started sleeping through the night around 10 weeks. Want to know my secret? She started it on her own, when she was ready. Want to know what we did before that? We got up with her every time and would have gladly continued doing so had she not started STTN. Honestly, I miss those middle of the night feedings where her and I got some extra special bonding time.

I could never, ever imagine trying to fill her with something just so I could get more sleep. Would more sleep be nice? Of course. But I knew that when we had a baby, sleep was a sacrifice we would be making.

girlmama83 · November 2013

To say you didn't start cereal to make her full but because she wasn't satisfied with just milk, is a complete contradiction.

amarissa85 · November 2013

Chiming in here although OP I'm sure got the answer. LO still gets up every 2 hours in the MOTN and I wouldn't dare give him cereal. Am I a little sleep deprived? Sure, but LO will STTN when ready and until then, I will get up with him because he needs me.

Ftm201309 · November 2013

MrsMuq said:

Ftm201309 said:

MrsMuq said:

Ftm201309 said:

Actually it's the same amount of feeding. Eating 1 oz every hour compared to 4oz every 4 hrs during the day. Let me break this down for you:
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr
1 oz- 1 hr= 4 oz every 4 hours!! WOW! She IS getting the SAME nutritional value to every 4 hours as she would every hour!!!! Who would have thought it?!?!

Feeding your 2 or 3mo rice cereal in their bottle does not equal the nutritional value of formula or breast milk.

Your child should be getting more ounces of pure formula or breast milk if she's still hungry, not being filled with empty rice cereal filler. You are literally depriving her of the correct calories, fat, proteins, carbs and vitamins she needs to thrive. What part of this don't you understand? And I don't believe for one nanosecond you're an RN.
You don't have to believe me. I have the diploma, the money, and the knowledge to prove it. I don't have to explain myself to a bunch of strangers, and will continue to do what works best for me and my baby. I could really care less about all of your opinions and find them quite entertaining.
Anywho, I'm about to go sleep my peaceful 8-12 hours while my neglected, cereal fed baby sleeps. Feel free to bash on throughout the night. I look forward to reading all the comments in the morning while I sip my coffee after a full nights sleep!

Riiiiight.The "knowledge" you've provided here makes you sound pretty damn dumb, and in no way affirms that you actually are a nurse.

And you might be doing what works best for you - but you are doing a great disservice to your child by underfeeding her. I wonder what your pedi thinks.

LalaMama81 said:
Ftm201309

I love that a few weeks ago you asked about probiotics for your newborn's gas and tummy issues. May I suggest that the cereal is probably the issue? I didn't read that in a book either, just came up w/ it all on my own!

I don't really care what my pedi thinks. Also, if you had been a good stalker you would have seen that at 2 weeks old( had not started cereal then) she stayed constipated, which causes gas and tummy issues. So actually the cereal WAS NOT the problem. You should really get your shit straight before you come up with your ignorant assumptions. Thanks

Ftm201309 · November 2013

somerandomchick said:
Anytime someone uses the argument that 'people used to do it that way and the world didn't implode!', there should be a stranger that comes to their house and just punches them right in the mouth. Its really such stupid, nonsensical thing to say.

People used to use mercury makeup and thought it was fine, totally OK. Do you want to put mercury in your face just because your great x 10 grandma did?

Speak of punching people in the face. The feeling is mutual about all you bitchy, uptight, judgmental, "think they know EVERYTHING" mamas out there! Trust me honey!

WheeLinTheSky3 · November 2013

Ftm201309 said:

Geez. I get so tired of all these uptight mamas. I started my LO at 3 weeks old. She was wanting to eat EVERY hour. When I started the cereal it went to every 3 during the day, and by 4-5 wks old she was sleeping on average 7-8 hours a night before waking up for a bottle, and before cereal it was every 2-3 hours. She's 9 weeks old now, eats every 4 hrs during the day, and sleeps from 8-4, eats, then back to sleep until 7-8. ALL of us were most likely fed cereal in our bottles (I know I was) and we turned out just fine. I'm a registered nurse and I DO NOT go by the book about everything. Think about it: you drink a glass of water how long will that keep you full? Not very long. Now if you eat a meal it will last a few hours. Same concept with babies. Some of the old remedies are still the best

I have a lot of respect for the nursing field and true RNs but since when does an RN = MD? I think I'll take my advice from an MD, my own MD at that. Your comments about how you dont want to wake up every two hours to feed your baby and that is why you choose the cereal just make me sad. A medical reason is one thing but to use it as filler? Why? I dont love waking up all the time either but my baby is hungry. I thought feeding your baby with the proper nutrition was a no brainer?

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Oh so just because someone comes on here, states THEIR opinion, and then doesn't back down from all you people and say "Oh,I'm so sorry!", that means I'm a troll and less believable? Ha. You got another thing coming. You BETTER BELIEVE this mama will continue to put cereal in EVERY bottle. You people don't change my mind or opinions at all, no matter what you say.Man, this really gets under y'all's skin that bad huh??? Haha Like I said last night, BASH ON!!!! I'm about to get my nice cup of coffee after my 11 hours total last night, sit on my porch, and keep reading all your sweet, lovely comments and just keep being entertained!!!

Ftm201309 · November 2013

Theusualmischief said:
Oh I just can't help myself:

Oh. How precious!!!! I LOVE toy story! Maybe I'll get the chance to be one of you lovely ladies nurse one day

Ftm201309 · November 2013

AFwifelife said:

Ftm201309 said:

Oh so just because someone comes on here, states THEIR opinion, and then doesn't back down from all you people and say "Oh,I'm so sorry!", that means I'm a troll and less believable? Ha. You got another thing coming. You BETTER BELIEVE this mama will continue to put cereal in EVERY bottle. You people don't change my mind or opinions at all, no matter what you say.Man, this really gets under y'all's skin that bad huh??? Haha Like I said last night, BASH ON!!!! I'm about to get my nice cup of coffee after my 11 hours total last night, sit on my porch, and keep reading all your sweet, lovely comments and just keep being entertained!!!

Once again, why are you so angry?

Sweetie, I'm not angry at all!!!!! I'm amused

Ftm201309 · November 2013

It's not that I'm uneducated, it's that I choose to do some things different. So what? It's not your child so why do you people care so much about it?

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