Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Ok, so we just moved DS up to 7oz because he was wanting to eat every 2 hours, now he's back to about 3.5 hours. So I caculated, he's having over 35oz a day. I know I've read that some of you started your "big eaters" on the cereal. My DS is only 10 weeks (his ped are ok, he's only in the 75-80 percentile for weight). Did you replace one of the bottles with the cereal? Is DS still too young? He's killing my budget with soo much formula!! LOL

I should add. My DS slept through the night for 3 nights straight (thur-sat) about 7-8 hours, but last night work up hungry at 230AM. We switched to 7oz on Saturday.

Message edited 3/30/2009 8:53:14 AM.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Based on the advice of my ped, I didn't start DS on cereal until he hit 40 oz per day - I think he was 4 - 4.5 months. The magic #s for the doctor were not to give him more than 8 oz. per bottle or more than 40 oz. per day. If he was getting that and still hungry, then she said I should start him on cereal, not increase the formula again.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

bumping for more advice. Thanks!

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

The max is 40oz a day, so I don't think you should do cereal yet.

Our situation was a touch different, DS wasn't a big eater, infact, he hated formula, so he was on cereal at 4 months, then babyfood completely at 5 months.

But I will say that cereal didn't make him more full at all, so I would hold out.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Well, you know my grandma says only YOU know your child. That being said, I have been giving DS cereal in his last bottle of the night for about a week. It helps. He is eating anywhere from 5-61/2 oz every 3-4 hours a day. Try just a bit when you guys eat. The worst that could happen is he throws up. And DS is in the 90% for his weight (but %'s mean nothing to me)

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

frankie was eating 40 oz per day by two , 2.5 months, i spoon fed him cereal at 3 months exactly. i should have started at 2 months. i told my ped after the fact...she did not have any concerns!! you know your kid, and every kid is different. do what you feel is best.

Message edited 3/30/2009 10:30:57 AM.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Posted by MrsFlatbread

frankie was eating 40 oz per day by two , 2.5 months, i spoon fed him cereal at 3 months exactly. i should have started at 2 months. i told my ped after the fact...she did not have any concerns!! you know your kid, and every kid is different. do what you feel is best.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

You're going to get a wide variety of responses with regards to cereal. Personally, I wouldn't start before 6 months due to the increased risk of food allergies.

I too have a big eater. Eliza has been downing 7-8oz bottles consistently for about a month or so. I asked our allergist whether it would be feasible to start her a little early on solids to which I got an emphatic NO. HIS feeling (which will likely differ from other MDs) is that before 6 months, it is hit or miss as to whether a child will develop allergies from starting solids early. After 6 months, the risk drops significantly. I was and because I started Madelyn (my first) a month earlier than recommended.

His personal feeling from his own research is that there IS a possibility that Mads might NOT have developed her allergies had we just waited. That said, Eliza is showing signs of a dairy sensitivity- so that theory might be off. That said, I'll be dealing with the crazy eating until 6 months.

You should consult with your PED beore starting solids though.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Ok, more questions for you guys (you've been soo helpful).

Honestly, I'm not worried about allergies. He's on a milk-based formula, we have no allergies in our families and I'm a firm believer in what people did in the past. Years ago babies went on solids sooo early. I do appreciate your advice and I may check with my ped.

-Jen, how does your little guys eat the cereal from the bottle?
-How young can you feed it to your DS on a spoon?

I know he's not at 40oz YET, but he's pretty darn close (5-6 bottles a day, 7oz bottles, he's having 35-42oz's a day at 10 weeks!!)

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

When we started cereal (a week shy of 3 months) we didnt substitute it for a bottle...it kind of came inbetween meals. Say he normally went 3 hours inbetween bottles I would do it 2 hours after he ate and then he would go another 2 hours before the next bottle. So that bottle was 4 hours after the last one but 2 hours after the cereal.

DS got rice cereal in his bottle due to reflux so we just kept with the rice cereal. He definitely needed the cereal...you just couldnt feed him any more formula at that point.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Personally, I would consult with my doctor before I made a decision like that. I know when we were growing up they did things differently, and we're all here to tell about it....but things have changed since then, and the recommendations change for a reason.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Ker, just prop Liam up in the high chair...if he has trouble sitting on his own! Frankie was 3 months and took too it the first try!

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

thanks. Honestly, I'm not the type to call the ped with a lot of stuff (I didn't when I switched formula). I'm laid back I know I am. I just don't find it neccessary.

I have a ped apt 4/17. I'll try and wait till then. Honestly, I still may try it out.

Thanks girls for all the advice.

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Palebride

Personally, I would consult with my doctor before I made a decision like that. I know when we were growing up they did things differently, and we're all here to tell about it....but things have changed since then, and the recommendations change for a reason.

I really agree with this. I am VERY laid back, but when it comes to doing things like this for the first time, or switching formula, etc, I always consult with my ped.

A phone call takes 2 minutes

Re: Question for mom's of big eaters (infants)

I just wanted to put this out there- and it's NOT attack on anyone who feeds solids early. Just consider it a FYI why it's best to consult with your PED before offering solids.

Allergy risk aside I gotta be honest: (Amy puts her speech pathologist hat on) It makes me SO nervous when moms don't consult their PEDs in regards to this (starting cereals really early).

I KNOW that we used to start cereals much earlier, but from a motor skills standpoint, its just not developmentally appropriate for a 3 month old to be eating cereal off a spoon- which is why it's not recommended anymore by the AAP. They just don't have the trunk or tongue control to support proper swallowing technique- which could lead to choking/aspiration. A 3 month old would usually have to be laying back, supported in a chair rather than be sitting upright- which is fine when eating liquids, but risky when eating solids. Only the PED really knows whether the baby is truly physically mature enough to handle sitting up and eating.

In a bottle is a different story because the liquid is still thin enough for the baby to control the suck,swallow, breathe reflex. But- that also needs to be controlled by the PED as well as they know what consistency would be more appropriate for the individual patient.

Also, with a bottle the baby is able to control how much liquid is being taken in- far different than thickend liquids/solids being taken in by a spoon.

This is not to say NO baby is ready for spoon fed solids that early, just an explanation why most don't recommend it that early. I hope this was helpful.