Hungry Baby

I have an extremely hungry baby. He's almost eight weeks old and is eating like crazy. up to 10 oz. at night, then he only sleeps up to four hours. He used to spit up really bad so I switched him to the A/R Lipil Formula that is thicker. He has stopped spitting up but is still hungry. Has anyone put Rice cereal in their babies formula or have any other tricks. I know its controversial, and plan on talking to the pediatrician next week but was wondering if anyone has any other tips.

 

I was on a 3 hour feeding schedule when mine were that young. And some days-during growth spurts- it was more. I would try feeding more often. If they are hungry, they need the nutrients. Cereal is only empty calories. Also weeks 8-10ish are difficult. It is a growth spurt and when they "wake up". Hang in there!

 

Ditto pp. Their digestive systems are not mature enough yet to get anything out of cereal, so it would be like filling them up with sawdust when they're obviously hungry for all the good nutrition in formula. It sounds like probably a growth spurt to me! (And waking up/being more demanding.) Just feed whenever they're hungry.

 

I would agree with the previous posters. Sounds like your little one is having a growth spurt and just keep doing what you are doing. There is nothing wrong with asking the pediatrician if this is something to be concerned about!

 

Yep, just feed them more throughout the growth spurt and it will even out at some point. I wouldnt put anything in the bottle unless you need to for medical reasons.

 

I never did any cereal in the bottles since I never had a problem of one of my girls being too hungry. (I always had the opposite problem). I would just run it by your pedi and see what s/he says.

 

Cereal in the bottle is a dangerous habit, at any age, because it can lead to overeating (they eat more calories that they should before they feel full), but it's even worse when babies are little because not only their stomach can't really digest cereal, but I think it can lead to allergies later on too.

 

I had the same problem with my twins. It really started with my smaller one. I called the pedi to talk to them about it and they told me to start to use the rice. They did say to watch out for allergies to it and if any started to switch to oatmeal. I do not give it to them all day. I only give it to them in their night bottle which has helped with STTN. They are up to 5oz bottles during the day and we do 5oz during the night with a scoop and a half of rice cereal. The only thing you can do is wait till the pedi tells you to since you do not want to do anything at that age with out talking with them first. He might have a suggestion on what formula is best for them. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Dec 9 2008, 03:54 PM) [snapback]1103722[/snapback]
Cereal in the bottle is a dangerous habit, at any age, because it can lead to overeating (they eat more calories that they should before they feel full), but it's even worse when babies are little because not only their stomach can't really digest cereal, but I think it can lead to allergies later on too.


I dont believe that it is really "dangerous" its just not recommended. Many people have had to put cereal in the bottles to help with reflux ( I had too) and some even do it to try and get their kids to STTN. Heck, if you read my baby book my Mom was told to put cereal in my bottle at 2 weeks. My kids did just fine on it and it even helped them gain some weight since it weighed down their formula into their stomachs and allowed them to digest it, instead of vomit it back up.

 

QUOTE
My kids did just fine on it and it even helped them gain some weight since it weighed down their formula into their stomachs and allowed them to digest it, instead of vomit it back up.


I think it comes down to risk/benefit. If you have kids who are in pain with reflux and can't keep down enough formula to gain weight well, then the benefits of adding cereal to the bottle outweigh the risks (overeating, future obesity, allergies, etc). If reflux is not an issue, the risks outweigh the any potential benefits.

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Dec 9 2008, 06:38 PM) [snapback]1103972[/snapback]
I think it comes down to risk/benefit. If you have kids who are in pain with reflux and can't keep down enough formula to gain weight well, then the benefits of adding cereal to the bottle outweigh the risks (overeating, future obesity, allergies, etc). If reflux is not an issue, the risks outweigh the any potential benefits.


Absolutely which is why if you notice in my first post I say, "I wouldnt put anything into the bottle unless you need to for medical reasons." I just dont think its "dangerous" either.

 

We add oatmeal cereal but only due to reflux...dd needs the extra calories too as she refuses feedings, again due to reflux. If she didnt have reflux I would never do it.
Like pp mentioned, could be a growth spurt. How many oz is he taking at once? Also if he is sleeping in 4hr stretches thats pretty good for that age. At that age we were on a 3hr feeding schedule.
As for the danger issue...some believe its dangerous because it can lead to food allergies, over eating/obesity, and also choking. Personally my dd has choked on it a few times and I do believe its due to the cereal...a lot of times it sounds like she just gets some stuck in her throat.

You will get a lot on contradicting opinions here...in the end, talk to your pedi and decide whats best for you.

 

We used rice cereal around 2 mos. (for reflux) under advice from our ped and have had very healthy babies who have always eaten within their targeted formula range. I would talk to your ped. 10 oz. seems like a lot to me and I bet the cereal would help.

 

A four-hour span between feedings for an eight week old seems normal to me. In fact, maybe that span of time is too long and that's why he's so hungry. I agree with PPs - try feeding more often.

I definitely wouldn't put rice cereal in his bottle b/c of future inordinate weight gain/obesity issues.