Mixing Milk and Cereal

[Tiwatope]

When did you start mixing cereal in your baby's milk? For those that started soon. What was your experience like? Did your baby adjust to it good?
My son is 3weeks, and at the doctors office yesterday,  his doctor said its ok to mix cereal because one, he eats alot, and secondly possibility of reflux.

[Tiwatope]

Bump. More input and your experience please

[Tiwatope]

It helps to hear from those that have gone through it. I have actually started.  The only thing I noticed was he doesn't poop for long hours... like maybe once in 10 to 12hours. Unlike when he was only taking just milk. For now I am only adding very little just to see how things goes for couple of days.  Thanks

[pregoX3]

both of my children had severe reflux and had to switch to a formula made for reflux and when that didn't help their pediatric gastro dr had me add cereal to the bottle as well. They were both around a month at the time. Their formula had to be as thick as a milkshake. They are now 8 and 6. My 8yr old is perfectly healthy and my 6yr old has a number of issues that were not caused by early cereal, she was born at 38wks with a number of somewhat minor abnormalities. So many woman on these forums keep posting about inducing early and that anything after 37wks is fine...but really it isn't. If you are really concerned about the early cereal, I would suggest seeing a pediatric gastro specialist and not just take the suggestion from a general pediatrician.

[valarie21]

My son had very bad reflux to the point he choked, and stopped breathing.  He was about 5 weeks old when the doctor had me start putting it in his bottle.  It helped sooooo much. Also don't lay your baby down after a feeding. If you have a boppy pillow those work great to prop them up. If the doctor told you to do it then by all means go for it. Everyone freaks when you mention anything that isn't "recommended" but in your case and in mine it was, and by a doctor who KNOWS my child and his medical condition. Good luck.  Hope your little one starts doing better.  

[libbyz]

I did it with my daughter. She was bf and u only did cause she never seemed full no matter how much I feed her. I don't think it helped. But it also didn't cause any problems either. She was only a few weeks old

[ravenamaru]

I WOuld Absolutely Wait UnTill 3 Month...... And Never Use Cows Milk Until After A Year...See aA Second Doctor

[Tiwatope]

Mostly from those that have tried it..

[Tiwatope]

Need more input on this

[Tiwatope]

Bump

[Tiwatope]

You can actually start from 3month. You are only mixing like 1 or 2 teaspoon in the bottle to make it more thicker.  Definitely,  I think all baby will find it difficult to digest at first.

[kgnau19]

My friend just had her baby who has reflux and they put cereal in her formula to help. Her baby is 1 month now so it's not a random unheard of suggestion.

[EllaMari]

I would be shocked if your 3 week old baby could digest cereal. Know that giving food prior to 6 months greatly increases your child's chance of developing food allergies and obesity. I would get a second opinion from a different doctor. Then maybe switch doctors.

[kennimae]

I would get a second opinion also. I have always herd the recommended age is 6 months because their digestive systems arent fully developed and your baby isnt even a month old yet.  

[missi8]

NOOO, you shouldnt try to give ur baby any food even taste til they are at least 3-4 MONTHS. But that is just tasting not eating full. Doctores and midwifes say that its much better to complitly breastfeed til the baby is 6 months then U can give them cereal or mashed fruts like banana. The babys stumok hasnt developed propaly till they are at least few months... what kind of doc is saying U can feed ur 3 week child:S
u can damage ur childs stumok if U feed to early. Hun its better to be safe then sorry.

[Tiwatope]

I do formula. He doesn't lash well so I only pump which I don't get enough milk from pumping.  Maybe 3-4 ounces a day from pumping.

[doulamommy]

Ummm... I would never feed a baby cereal that young. Unless the reflux is extreme it's not a problem, just an inconvenience. Do you breastfeed or formula feed? The AAP says that babies should be on milk (whether breast or artificial) for six months with no other foods.
Formula can cause excess reflux because a baby's body just isn't built to digest it. But adding cereal (which babies also aren't ready to digest) can just lead to more problems. I would get a second opinion.