is cereal safe for a 5 week old baby?
Ash1227 asked:
Draft document on the request when they return tomarrow but any suggestions? my baby is 5 weeks and is drinking about 4-5 ounces every 1-1 hours 1 / 2. Health wise it very well, but always hungry. I had this problem with my daughter at 8 weeks and the document said he put a spoonful of the table of cereals in the bottle. is safe for a 5 weeks old?
July 30th, 2008 at 1:10 am
not particularly. but u cud try a lil less cereal.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
no, i think that’s too young.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:50 am
Maybe not the baby might choke
August 5th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Five weeks is too early.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I have fed an infant this age cereal before, but not in a bottle. Believe it or not a child this age can eat it using a spoon. At Child Care Centers we are not allowed to put cereal in a bottle, because it can be considered a choking hazard. So please try and feed your child with a spoon. Just make sure the is not too thick, make it a little thin.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:14 am
if he is always hungry I think it would do no harm to put a little cereal in his bottle. I had the same problem when my daughter was that young-always hungry- the little cereal in the bottle made her a happy baby and me very relieved
August 11th, 2008 at 3:37 am
As a former WIC nutritionist, I’d have to say no. Your baby needs all the nutrients in the formula and adding cereal efectively dilutes the concentration of nutrients. At 5-6 weeks, babies have a growth spurt. The amount your baby is eating is perfectly normal. The growth spurt will last a few days, and then his appetite will level off again.
Doctors know all of this, and they prescribe cereal anyway because it is something parents can do to manage their stress level during the challenging days of the growth spurt. It genereally does not harm the baby, but it is questionable whether it does any good. All it does is give the parent a feeling that they “fixed a problem” when there wasn’t really any problem in the first place.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
NO way too young for cereal Your baby can’t digest that yet. I can’t enev believe you gave ceareal to your 8 week old. I’m sure she’s fine now but was it really nesasary. Cereal is meant for 4-6 month olds. Read the lable!
August 14th, 2008 at 2:55 am
I would strongly suggest not doing it at that age. The baby’s system is just getting accustomed to ‘milk’ and its by products. The introduction of cereal is creating an element that your baby can’t really handle at that age. His/her system is just not mature enough to ready itself for the eliminating process involved with heavier foods. I do understand however, because my daughter was not getting enough food – but that was because she was breast feeding and I could not produce the milk fast enough. My doctor only recommended that we add formula. So what if they need more bottles. Make sure your baby is getting a full supply. Also, make sure you are notating how many ounces and times of day. That way, you can see a pattern and also you can tell when the child has increased in need for sustenance. I did add cereal to my daughter’s milk when she was about 4 months old. Their little systems are able to digest a little better at that age – but just like I always suggest to anyone in a situation such as this – PLEASE consult your PED. He/She knows your baby better than your Yahoo Community helpers (smile) We only want the best for you and for your baby! Be blessed!
August 15th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
well i have been putting a tbsp of it in my sons bottle since he was 2 weeks old. it helped a lot. it won’t be too thick, if you put only a tbsp in 6 oz of formula. i am not saying its right, or whatever, its just what i did. he is 5 months now, and doing great. i also did it, because he was only 5 lbs when born, and i wanted him to gain some weight. which he didn’t gain a whole lot. guess hes just a small kid. he is healthy though. good luck
August 16th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I think 5 weeks old is a little too young. The only situations I’ve ever heard that for is if the baby has acid reflux and even then it has to be pretty bad. I’d wait and ask the doctor.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:27 am
NOPE! give her digestive system time to mature.
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until *6 months* to introduce any kind of solid foods, including cereal.
And cereal should NEVER be given in a bottle unless under a doc’s advice for a baby with reflux.
A baby doesn’t have the enzymes needed to digest anything other than breastmilk or formula until the middle of the first year.
Starting solids too early increases your child’s chances of developing allergies, diabetes and obesity.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 am
People and most doctors say NO! I say yes. I have 3 kids and with my first I put a table spoon of ceral in her bottle at 8 weeks. With my second, I put a table spoon in at 6 weeks and with my thrid, I put a table spoon in at 2 weeks. It really depends on they child and how you feel about it as a parent. All of my kids are just fine. When I told the doctor at the follow ups he said it was ok. Just remember do you like drinking milk all the time. You need more than just that. Go with what your heart is telling you for you child.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
No, whatever they eat is what they need to eat. Babies don’t overeat, especially at 5 weeks. It might be a bit inconvient for you, but he is growing, and needs that extra formula. He wouldn’t take it if he didn’t. It should calm down soon.