[radio_flyer]

Times have changed over the years and well I'm not sure about this one. I never gave AJ baby cereal when he was 6 weeks. Think I started that when he was 5 months.

ANYway AJ's g/f put a quarter teaspoon of baby rice cereal in baby's formula. She said it would make him sleep. Just curious if this was ok. I guess it would not hurt the baby. I wouldn't have given such a young baby rice cereal. But that is me.. shrugs shoulders

[kindachaotic]

My son is 26 so I'm out of touch also. Altho does seem a bit young.
If AJ knows the pediatrician's name & phone# maybe he could call & make sure it's ok.
Wish them both well.

[gma45]

I would not give a 6 week old rice cereal, their digestive system is not ready for that yet in my opinion. I would be shrugging my shoulders too!

[radio_flyer]

thanks kindachaotic. I mentioned that I thought it was too early to give the baby rice cereal. She was "adamant" and said she knew what she was doing. Even if AJ called the pediatrician and even if she was told not to, she would still do it. She already fed the baby and baby is sleeping. Guess we will know later today if it didn't agree with baby.. Mama is "grouchy" . Think she is tired... ANd baby was fussy. Think everyone went to bed..

[radio_flyer]

gma.. that is what I thought too, that baby's digestive system isn't ready for solids/rice cereal.. I'd like to know who told her to do this. I asked her who told her and she said lots of people..She didn't give any names tho. shrugs shoulders again..

I think she is itchen to get back to work. Six weeks home and two more weeks to go and she goes back to work.

[whenwillitend]

Cereal is definitely not okay for a six week old baby. They should be at least three months before cereal is introduced. And it's a myth that cereal in the bottle will make them sleep. Not true, but still widely believed.

I hate it when people think they know everything better than the experts. My hubby's aunt has no children, but she thinks she knows it all. She is very adament about giving young kids Aspirin, a huge no-no. She says Reyes's Syndrome doesn't exist and it's all a conspiracy by the Tylenol makers to sell more Tylenol. And she's serious.

I would say no too as already been said a baby at that age their digestive system isn't ready, I am sure I started weaning mine at 4 months and then it was really soft foods.

Maybe times have changed.

[ECHOES]

I didn't do that either, but I know many who did and for the same reason - supposedly it helped the baby sleep. I think that's a myth. Solid food is not recommended before 6 months (or used to be 6 months anyway) because an infant's digestive system is not able to handle solid food such as cereal in the milk.

Babies aren't on our schedule, they are on their own schedule, and it's up to us to adjust - not them.

[lynn P.]

No a 6 week old baby shouldn't be given cereal this young and certainly not in the bottle or by spoon. Firstly the digestive system isn't ready to accept cereal and more importantly the baby has to be able to swallow properly. At 6 weeks they can't swallow cereal. Things haven't changed as far as, when to introduce cereal and its not 6 weeks.

Regarding sleeping - its normal for babies to wake up and the caregiver needs to find out what they need - maybe a bottle, diaper change or soothing/cuddling. Waking up doesn't mean they need cereal. Cereal also can't go through the nipple and may clog it. The parents need to tell the pediatrician and I'm sure they wouldn't approve. When the baby's old enough, the cereal needs to be introduced gradually and afterward veggies are introduced before fruits. If you introduce fruits before veggies they won't like the veggies. She shouldn't be putting cereal in the bottle

[Shishkeberry]

Six months is when you introduce anything other than breastmilk or formula. Six weeks!? That baby isn't even two months old yet. Sad.

[radio_flyer]

Lynn.. I suggested this morning she talk to the doctor if baby isn't sleeping. She said she has talked to the doctor, baby is doing everything normal baby does, and that the doctor suggested she try the rice cereal in baby's formula. She also said all the working mothers she knows gave her this "tip" that giving the baby cereal in the formula helps the baby sleep.. I don't know if it is true that her doctor told her to do this. I think she said it just to "shut" me up. lol

As usual and as AJ even said, when she is in her "mood" you can't say anything to her and she does exactly what she wants to do. She said she is going back to work in 2 weeks and she said she can't be staying up all night and then go to work.

She only comes here on weekends. SO her mom helps her during the day. Guess she is on her own at night?

I am in agreement with everyone that responded that 6 weeks is too soon to be giving baby rice cereal. But everyone she knows told her to do it. So she by far will never "hear" me... She will do only and exactly what she wants to do.. SO I will hush. shrugs shoulders...

I can say she is trying to be a good mom.. She said if the cereal causes a problem with the baby she will stop giving it to him.. shrugs shoulders

[seeker1950]

The baby's digestive system is not ready. From personal exp., this can be distressing, when someone insists this is the "right " thing to do. When my daughter was born, the mother in law insisted on giving her cereal....only weeks old! Even back then, we were told not to do this, but MIL "knew" what was right, so I was helpless!

[Yoda]

I have read that giving babies cereal/solid food before they are ready increases the probability the babies will develop allergies. I can't find a reference at the moment.

[whenwillitend]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I have read that giving babies cereal/solid food before they are ready increases the probability the babies will develop allergies. I can't find a reference at the moment.

Yes, that's true. I'd have to look for a reference too though.

[shezbut]

radio flyer,

Six weeks is definitely too young for taking even a bit of solid foods in. I heard of people trying that with 3 month-olds when I was nursing, and that was wrong. 6 weeks is just ridiculous!

It seems that people forget that a baby's digestive system isn't fully mature at birth. It takes time for the baby to be able to handle cereal. Breastfed babies handle digestion much more easily and quickly than formula fed. Formula fed babies have harder bm's and it can make them gassy. Adding solid foods only intensifies those results...equaling some real fussy times as it hurts to pass gas or milk.

I'd advise you to mention this to the pediatrician, and hopefully they can help your DIL look at the issue in a new light (rather than become defensive). (((hugs))) to that little baby ~ the pain and anguish in those eyes is hard to forget! Best wishes to you and your family!

When to start weaning

At six months, a baby's digestive system has matured enough to cope with solid food, and other developmental changes (such as the ability to bite and chew) mean your baby is ready to experience new tastes and textures.

The Department of Health recommends that weaning shouldn't be introduced until the age of six months, but your baby may show signs of wanting to try solids earlier than this. If this is the case, discuss your baby's readiness to try weaning foods with your health visitor.

The aim of weaning is gradually to introduce a variety of tastes and textures so that, by the age of one, your baby's enjoying a varied and healthy diet.

Every baby's different. Some enjoy trying new tastes and textures, moving through weaning quickly and easily, while others need a little more time to get used to new foods. Proceed at your baby's pace, moving on to each new food and weaning stage when it's right for them.

How to start

Before you begin, here are some general tips for successful weaning:

Choose a good time of day for your baby to start on solids. This should be when they're not too tired or hungry (in the early stages, offering a breastfeed or a little formula beforehand will mean your baby is not too hungry and so is less frustrated with learning to take solids from a spoon).
Allow plenty of time.
Don't force food on your baby. If they don't want to try a food, stay calm, take the food away and offer it again later or in a few days' time.
Prepare for some inevitable mess by keeping plenty of bibs and cloths to hand.
Only heat up a small amount of food each time so you don't waste food your baby doesn't eat. You can always heat up more if your baby is keen.
Don't reheat previously uneaten food.
Always stay with your baby when they're eating.
Always test the temperature of food before you give it to your baby - it shouldn't be too hot.
Encourage self feeding. As your baby develops and shows signs of wanting to feed independently, give them a spoon or finger foods to try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/treatmen..._weaning.shtml

[radio_flyer]

Thanks Tinkerbell.. Great info you posted. I'd copy it and send it to the "little mama" but I doubt she think anything of it.. I know she doesn't want to do anything to harm her baby. She is very attentive and meets all of baby's needs. Only thing I disagreed with is the rice cereal. She said she only put 1/4 teaspoon in his bottle. But again, I agree with everyone, 6 weeks is just too soon...

[radio_flyer]

Shezbut. I mentioned to her that the baby's digestive system isn't mature enough for solids and/or rice cereal. She sorta blew me off and said if the baby gets constipated or gasy she'd would stop giving it to him...Good idea to call her pediatrician. Will do that on Monday. Because I do not want her to feel defensive. Just don't want her baby to be uncomfortable with gas or constipation. As I am sure she feels the same way. New moms.. what can I say..

I can say mama, papa and baby just went to the grocery store. Watching them gather the diaper bag, stroller, pacifier and car seat was sooo cute. Am surprised they remembered baby.. smile... They are so excited about the baby. And both mom and dad love attending the baby. SO they both are trying. Got to give them credit for being so attentive to that cute, little baby. The baby is so sweet. Baby also has a temper. LORDY ME. lol....He is demanding just like mama and papa.. Thinks I might have to post another baby picture.. smile

[radio_flyer]

Thanks Yoda.. I read that somewhere online about the allergies. I should have bookmarked it because I can't find it. Hoping I can somehow steer her away from the rice cereal. Maybe with the help of her pediatrician, it can be done....

ooooooo when I went upstairs to peek on baby, I wished I had my camera. Baby was sleeping on mama's chest. Mama was propped up with pillows. Mama looked liked she had been partying all night. Mama was exhasted. AND baby was soooo content. But then if I had snapped a picture, the dog would have barked and wakened baby and mama would of shot me.. lol WOuld have been such a precious picture ..

[whenwillitend]

I wrote 3 months! NO NO NO, typo, of course it's 6 months!! I just realized when I reread my answer. Sorry!!

[KathyM]

I'm with the others RadioFlyer. He's too young to be able to swallow and digest solid foods properly. The cereal could actually be causing him to be fussy and unable to sleep. I have a bit of a problem with using "filler" food to quiet a baby simply because mom is exhausted. It can lead to weight problems down the road because the child can become dependent on "comfort food."

As far as she's concerned, I don't have much sympathy for her. I was a single mother when my son was born. I lived alone in a 3rd fl apartment, and my parents lived several miles away. Mom was too sick/blind to help me, and dad was too busy. My ex found every excuse under the sun to avoid helping me with childcare.

My son was fussy too (colicky) and didn't sleep through the night until he was 3 months old. He was up every 3 hrs. With preparation and cleanup time, I only slept in 45 minute intervals.

I had to go back to work full-time when he was only 2 months old, so I was running on less than empty while at work. I vividly remember the enormous relief when he finally slept through the night and allowed me to have more than an hour of sleep.

Remind that girl that motherhood is tough. If she wants all the glory, she's gonna have to survive "boot camp." If she thinks it's rough now, just wait til he's 16, out past curfew with her car, and she has no idea who he's with!

If his weight is at the appropriate percentile, there is no need to give him extra food. This is a chance for her to really bond with her child and build up her own physical and emotional strength.

Hugs to all of you, (((Radio)))

[radio_flyer]

Kathy, I, too have problems with mother's using filler foods to quiet a baby. When AJ was born he came out "screaming" and he has never stopped. He kept me awake many nights. I never gave him filler foods. AJ's dad wasn't any help either. He never held him. In fact, AJ's dad was never "alone" with him. If I even walked outside and AJ was in the same room as his dad, his dad would would scream from me to return...

I don't have sympathy for her. Although, I do have "compassion" for her as I can remember those exhausting days and nights I experienced when AJ was a newborn.
And I agree, filler foods is no excuse for an exhausted mom...

Weight isn't a problem with the baby.. So there is "NO" reason for her to being feeding him rice cereal.. Made me smile when you said she needs to survive "boot camp." She is struggling. She is trying.. I hope she survives "boot camp". Can say she is grumpy a lot. She only spends weekends here. She was so grumpy on Sunday that AJ retreated to the basement and napped on the sofa.. He retreated because there is "no" reasoning with her, so when he gets frustrated he retreats to quieter grounds..

In my opinion, she has it easy. She lives with her parents and her mom helps her during the day with taking care of the baby. Guess night shift is mama's. And geesh she makes mega dollars which is a plus. I'd be on cloud nine if I ever earned the money she makes. Talk about being "independent" ...Yet she is very "dependent" on others...



Come to think of it, I was in the hospital less than 24 hours. AJ's dad practically dumped both AJ and me at the foot of the apartment and went back to work. That was only the beginning for me. lol...AJ was crying and hungry. My first son was hungry. And I was crying and hungry. NO help for weeks until I broke down and asked my mother for help. She came the following week.. Think she stayed for a week or two, Mom always came when we shouted out for help.. Mom was a lot of help. But she also complained a lot too. lol
Why did I have a baby when there is going to be a water shortage. Gotta love her tho. Even tho she didn't really like me a lot.. lol

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I have read that giving babies cereal/solid food before they are ready increases the probability the babies will develop allergies. I can't find a reference at the moment.

I agree with Yoda and forgot to mention allergies can happen if a food is introduced too soon. Many babies don't sleep the whole night and its part of being a parent, to wake up to tend the babies needs. Parents are usually exhausted the 1st year and that's expected.

Both mine were premature and I had to wake up every 2 hrs at night to breast feed them. I never gave cereal in a bottle - you're supposed to start in a bowl and not so thick by mixing a little formula....then increase thickness as the baby tolerates. What if the cereal clogs the nipple and then he'll have to suck hard....then get gas. She's looking for making her life easier, which may not be best for her baby.