Bottles with cereal

My nutritonist told me that I should put cereal in a bottle for the babies she said it can affect their speech. She said, "Its like you trying to such a sandwich through a straw" was her exact words, has anyone heard this I give my babies like a teaspoon in a 8 oz bottle. Did anyone ever hear this before? What do you think about it continue? or heed those words. I still do it but not really because they eat solids now.

 

I believe that sucking through a "straw" exercises certain muscles that help with speech but I am wondering why a nutritionist would tell you to do this?? Do they need some extra calories for weight gain? I dont think putting a tsp of cereal in an 8 ounce bottle would make much of a difference in terms of consistency to help with the muscles. FWIW we did 2 tsp of cereal per ounce of formula and that was a nice milkshake. So I think you could take it or leave it. JMO.

ETA: reason for cereal for us was reflux per the Ped GI

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Mar 18 2008, 09:17 PM) [snapback]676008[/snapback]
I believe that sucking through a "straw" exercises certain muscles that help with speech but I am wondering why a nutritionist would tell you to do this?? Do they need some extra calories for weight gain? I dont think putting a tsp of cereal in an 8 ounce bottle would make much of a difference in terms of consistency to help with the muscles. FWIW we did 2 tsp of cereal per ounce of formula and that was a nice milkshake. So I think you could take it or leave it. JMO.

ETA: reason for cereal for us was reflux per the Ped GI

I should edit this post to say That the nutritionist said I should NOT put cereal in the bottle, which i did in the beginning for reflux issues for DS as per the pedi, and secondly to help them stay fuller at night for their last bottle but I never added more than a teaspoon I was always afraid of constipation or something.

 

Then I would say if they are eating solids for dinner and their reflux is better, then I wouldnt bother putting the tsp of cereal in the bottle.

 

We were doing a whole tablespoon per ounce for a while. Now it is much less! If I did not do this my children would of kept nothing down.

I would not have done this if they had not needed it. 1 tsp. per bottle is hardly anything at all. I cannot imagine they would even notice it.

 

My boys are over two years old and speaking very well - even their teacher comments on how well they are doing every day! The both had to have cereal in their bottled per their pediatrician for severe reflux as babies!

 

Our pedi said to put some in ours when they were little... so not sure why the nutritionist would say this...

Katie gets Cereal in her bottles also... and she sucks it down quickly and just fine. We use a fast flow nipple.

Also what helps is to cut the hole of the nipple a little more with a knife to make it easier.