Mommies opinions please!(baby feeding question)

[antkim]

Matty is 16 weeks now. He's still on the hypoallergenic formula because of milk and soy intolerence-very sensitive belly! I started giving him cereal just in the morning a week or so ago. Figured it was best to gradually introduce him to it. He seemed to be doing O.K. with it so 2 nights ago I started to give it to him about 1 1/2 hours before bedtime.Well both nights he woke around 4(he's been sleeping through the night). The 1st night he just fussed for about 15 minutes but got himself back to sleep. Last night he was really crying so I gave him a bottle. Do you think the cereal might be upsetting his belly at night? I'm not going to give it to him tonight but I just wanted opinions!
Thanks!
Kim

 

[browneyes]

It could give him a little gas on his tummy, that might be why he wakes up. Some babies sleep better with a little cereal late at night, but not all babies. I can't remember if it was the rice or the other that was rougher on my kids' tummies.

 

[peg2001]

Could also just be a natural growth spurt. It is very common for babies to sleep through the night for a while, go through a phase of waking at night, and then start sleeping through the night again. I wouldn't automatically assume it has to do with the cereal feeding.

Peggy

 

[AZKathy]

Just give your pediatrician a call since your DS is so allergic to so many things just to be safe. (Personally, I don't know if it is the food, but I have not had a baby with that bad of intolerance to formulas. Mine were just lactose intolerant and needed to be on soy.) Blow this situation by him/her and do what is suggested!!! Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_5_10.gif' border=0></a>

 

[Kermit]

From what I've read, it's very possible for a baby that age to get an upset tummy from solids. Many of them just aren't ready for anything that takes that much work to digest. It won't hurt anything if you take the cereal away for a week or so to see if he improves. If it does help, then I'd wait at least another 4 weeks to reintroduce it. Your parents or in-laws may throw a fit if you don't start solids yet, but the baby will be perfectly fine if you wait. Jacob was 8-9 months old before we introduced any solids at all, and he was about 11 months old before we started feeding him regularly. My parents were sure he would starve, but he looks fine to me (and his doctor).

 

[leahannpen]

Maybe his little tummy isn't quite ready for solids yet. Our doctor said around 6 months, so maybe 4 months is just too early? Or maybe just do the morning and not the evening until he's a bit older. It's worth a shot!

 

[always quiet]

I remember introducing rice cereal first. The oatmeal used to always make the kids gassy. Why don't you try the cereal during the day? That way, if it causes tummy problems, you'd be awake and you would know if it was the cereal causing Matty distress.

 

[GEM]

We also waited to start solids. Paul was 9 months old (6 months adjusted age because he was a preemie) before we gave him any solids at all. He is breastfed, though, so that might make a difference. I'm not really sure how formula changes the situation. Anyway, we tried rice cereal at first, but it made him REALLY constipated and unhappy. So, we just skipped it and went right to fruits and veggies. He hasn't had any problems with anything else. His doctor said cereals are actually one of the hardest things to digest and they can be really tough on little tummys. So, maybe it is the cereal. Or maybe just a growth spurt, like somebody else said. I guess you just kind of have to play around and see what makes him happiest! I would think, though, that with his allergies and sensetive tummy, it wouldn't hurt to hold off for a while.

 

[Kimberle]

I agree. I'd stop the cereal. Babies don't need it until they are at least 4 months, if not 6. Cereal can cause gas & can be hard to digest.

If that doesn't work, it could be gas/colic. You can try the drops but what I prefered was infant massage. There is a special one that relieves gas/colic. It works wonders. Lots of hospitals are offering classes.

 

[antkim]

He was doing fine without the cereal so I think I will stop giving it to him. His little belly is just too sensitive I guess! Thanks everyone!
Kim