Pure Parents

Question:

I tried putting my son on Similac, he reacted horribly to it, projectile vomiting it all back up.   I think each baby is different.  You should consult your pediatrician though.  Mine said the barley formula I make is fine (it doesn’t contain solids though) and my baby loves it and I still alternate it with breastfeeding. A good book for this kind of stuff is also "What to Expect The First Year" by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff & Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N. According to this book it depends on your baby and it has a very enlightening section regarding research on solids in babies and how to test if your baby is ready.  Age is not the only determining factor.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Are you saying you fed your daughters cereal when the were one week old? >Is this now or 30 years age? > They are 6 and 4. And when I did it, I did "some" research on it. In other > countries where formula and the such is not so available and in cases when the > birth moms cannot breastfeed, this practice is done. As far as for me, I went > to my doctor for her checkups and both were not satisfied and he suggested > water, which really did not do any good. And then he suggested smaller feedings > more frequently and again this did nothing….so I checked out a few books from > the library and, yes, time ago this was the way that some remedied their > situations. I aksed my mother and she said that all of us kids were on cereal > at one to two weeks and none of us with allergies, etc. SO I decided to give it > a try. Voila…great results. It is not for everybody and this is just my > opinion, but I think what is good for the goose is not always good for the > gander. This pertaining to either side. Was just my opinion and I did toil and > look into it very keenly before trying. I will say and this is not to refute > anyone, because God knows I am a mistake making mother….but sometimes I do go > against what my doctor says because quite frequently what is bad for my child > one week becomes the miracle answer the next according to media and medical > findings. What’s a mom to do? > Cathy

Response:

>You day your child is 4 wks old and you’re feeding her already? This is >definately way too soon.

I hope I do not get bombarded for this, but I have to disagree…..my daughters both were not getting enough from formula and I fed them cereal both from a week on and neither has <knock on wood> allergies or medical related problems. They slept better and longer and were more alert throughout the day when they had a little bit more in their tummies. Cathy

Response:

> >You day your child is 4 wks old and you’re feeding her already? This is >definately way too soon. > I hope I do not get bombarded for this, but I have to disagree…..my daughters > both were not getting enough from formula and I fed them cereal both from a > week on and neither has <knock on wood> allergies or medical related problems. > They slept better and longer and were more alert throughout the day when they > had a little bit more in their tummies.

Don’t know whether you’ll think this is ‘bombarding’…I’ll try to be gentle. A *week*? Wow. Did a doctor advise this or did you decide to try this on your own? Do you know that the current recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics is that solids shouldn’t be given before 4-6 *months*? Research has shown that babies that young are physically unable to digest cereal until around 4 months, so giving cereal before then just replaces the digestible calories provided by breastmilk or formula with the equivalent of ‘junk food’ (Actually, worse than junk food, since junk food does provide calories!). Early exposure to solids increases the *risk* of developing allergies, so the fact that your kids haven’t yet developed allergies isn’t really counter-evidence. I’m glad that the early solids seemed to help your kids, but *please* do some research before recommending it to other parents…there is no evidence that early introduction of  solids is beneficial, and there *is* evidence that it can be detrimental. Laura Uerling

Response:

>Are you saying you fed your daughters cereal when the were one week old?   >Is this now or 30 years age?

They are 6 and 4. And when I did it, I did "some" research on it. In other countries where formula and the such is not so available and in cases when the birth moms cannot breastfeed, this practice is done. As far as for me, I went to my doctor for her checkups and both were not satisfied and he suggested water, which really did not do any good. And then he suggested smaller feedings more frequently and again this did nothing….so I checked out a few books from the library and, yes, time ago this was the way that some remedied their situations. I aksed my mother and she said that all of us kids were on cereal at one to two weeks and none of us with allergies, etc. SO I decided to give it a try. Voila…great results. It is not for everybody and this is just my opinion, but I think what is good for the goose is not always good for the gander. This pertaining to either side. Was just my opinion and I did toil and look into it very keenly before trying. I will say and this is not to refute anyone, because God knows I am a mistake making mother….but sometimes I do go against what my doctor says because quite frequently what is bad for my child one week becomes the miracle answer the next according to media and medical findings. What’s a mom to do? Cathy

Response:

: I hope I do not get bombarded for this, but I have to disagree…..my : daughters both were not getting enough from formula and I fed them : cereal both from a week on and neither has <knock on wood> allergies or : medical related problems.  They slept better and longer and were more : alert throughout the day when they had a little bit more in their tummies. : Cathy Cathy, Are you saying you fed your daughters cereal when the were one week old?   Is this now or 30 years age?  I ask because although I know that early solids were commonly recommended many years ago, I’m not aware of a single reputable source that recommends this today.  In fact, most sources recommend no solids at all until at least 4 months and I believe that current thinking suggests that it is best to wait until 6 months.   Cathy – Mom to Conor and Liam (4/23/94)

Response:

Well I didn’t see the original post (messed up with the synchronization thingy and lost it!) but I just wanted to inform everyone that it is a medically proven fact that the longer you wait to give your child solids, the better.  If you feed them solids too soon your child could develop allergies (among other things).  I would talk to a doctor prior to giving your child any solids.  I made the mistake with my daughter of giving her solids too soon (was told it would help her sleep through the night…what a crock!) but with my next child I’m going to ‘tough it out’.  It also helps that I will know more of what to expect next time. Good luck! Annie Single Parent Support Group http://www.SingleParents.net

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I can’t believe how much pressure there is out there to feed solids foods > to very young babies.  With my second, I was pretty adamant that she was > not to have anything other than breast milk for the first 6 months (she > was growing great and having plenty of wet and messy diapers on breast > milk–so why do more???)–and the baby sitter snuck her baby food.  Really > irked me.  With my first, my parents got out the baby book and showed me > where I ate baby food at 3 weeks, as did my brother, and insinuated that > it wasn’t normal not to do so.  I can’t imagine why you would feed solids > to a little person that can’t even sit up on their own and often doesn’t > know how to eat without spitting 95% of it right back out!  I know it > "fills them up more"–it certainly isn’t the best fod for them at that > age. > I know a lot of people–including two of my sister-in-laws–that say they > quit nursing because they "couldn’t produce enough milk."  Come to find > out, when questioning them, that they thought they weren’t producing > enough because their baby wanted to nurse every two hours.  Apparently, no > one told them this was the way breastfeding works–or they didn’t want the > hassle of unbuttoning their shirt so often.  Breastfeeding takes a certain > amount of dedication–but if you choose to follow through with it (and not > succomb to pressure to supplement too early with solids)–it is certainly > the best choice for mom and baby (and society if you look at the bigger > picture).  I nursed Josie all the way to the table–she never had any baby > food or formula–and she is the best little athlete I have ever > encountered.  Was it easy?  No.  Would I do it again?  In an instant. > kendra > mom to cody, almost 6; josie, 22 months; and patrick, brand new (and > crying to be breastfed right now!)

Response:

You day your child is 4 wks old and you’re feeding her already? This is definately way too soon. You shouldn’t start introducing foods until she’s 3 months old. If she needs something more, trying a little water. She definately doesn’t need anything else right now. Studies have proven that when a child is introduced to solid foods too early, they develope more allergies and have a harder time with their digestion of foods. Please try to have a little patience and lay off the rice. HAVE A GREAT DAY!! http://community.webtv.net/Spyro4me/Justalittleaboutme

Response:

She doesn’t need water either — that can kill. Breast or [formula] bottle.  Period. –Janet Elliot, Hanna, Connor  (10/21/96)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You day your child is 4 wks old and you’re feeding her already? This is > definately way too soon. You shouldn’t start introducing foods until > she’s 3 months old. If she needs something more, trying a little water. > She definately doesn’t need anything else right now. Studies have proven > that when a child is introduced to solid foods too early, they develope > more allergies and have a harder time with their digestion of foods. > Please try to have a little patience and lay off the rice. > HAVE A GREAT DAY!! > http://community.webtv.net/Spyro4me/Justalittleaboutme

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok Folks her is the biz > I have had two previous children both boys and have never seen this from a > child. Our newborn daughter now 5 1/2 Lbs was gaining weight so fast she > sometimes looked as though she were swollen. Doctor visits confirmed she was > healthy happy and content. There is nothing wrong with this baby. In the > past week alone she has grown two inches. Here is our theory. She has > nothing to poop. She is feeding evey 1 1/2 Hrs now Urinating constantly. She > doesnt have that puffy look anymore as she is now streching out. WE have > taken her off the pablum and started her on formula to help mom. She still > has pooped but she shows no signs of being uncomfortable and is very happy. > The Hospital said after three days to come in and they will give her a > suppository but we decided to wait and see what happens.

I can’t quite tell from the above, but it sounds like the sole problem is that she hasn’t pooped in a couple of days? That is absolutely *not* a reason to worry, unless it goes on for a long time (say a week or more), or if the baby seems uncomfortable or is not producing urine. Newborns *usually* poop several times a day until they are few weeks old, at which time they start pooping one a day or once every couple of days. Some babies go the once-every-few-days route from birth. When my son went several days without pooping, my doc, as well as telling me what I wrote above, recommended putting a teaspoon or so of corn syrup into some formula or EBM. Worked great, though it might have just been time for him to ‘go’ anyway. When the poop does come, as long it’s not really hard constipation-type stool, she should be fine. By the way, I agree 100% with what Barbara wrote below. As long as your baby is healthy and energetic and producing lots of wet diapers, she is *fine* and your wife does *not* have a supply problem. I’m happy to hear that you discontinued the pablum, since it’s *much* too early for that. I would also recommend trying to eliminate all the formula supplementation too, since there doesn’t seem to be any reason for it, and going with exclusive breastfeeding gives babies the maximum health benefit. One last thing, like Barbara, I would recommend that you look into getting a new pediatrician, since the ones that gave the advice to supplement with solids at 4 weeks are at least 10 years out of date. Good luck! Laura Uerling – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> personally think starting small amounts of solid food at four weeks is >>appropriate. >The American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees with you, and I’d take their >advice over a layperson’s any day. The current recommendation is for babies >to have nothing but breastmilk or formula until at least 4 months of age and >ideally until 6 months. >>I was started on strained bananas at 4 weeks >And my mom switched me from breastmilk to whole cow’s milk at 20 weeks. Does >that mean it was the best, healthiest thing for me? >>and my kids were >>started on rice cereal.  This was done because my doctor recommended it. >Then your doctor was almost certainly not following the pediatric guidelines >for solid food introduction, because it’s been at least 4 months of age for >quite some years now. >>My children were born nine and ten pounders and had big appetites. >My son was 8 lbs. at birth. On breastmilk alone, he went to 11 lbs. at one >month, 14 at two months, and 17 at 3 months. He ate a lot during those >months. The notion that big babies need something other than breastmilk is >not supported by the evidence. >>In the olden days, children always ate solid foods early. >Which "olden days" are we talking about? ‘Cuz I’m betting your average cave >baby didn’t eat solids until he or she was 6 months or older. After all, >Gerber wasn’t making easy-to-mix rice cereal back in those days! >>It helps fill them up for longer periods of time. >While this may be true, early solids fill babies up with empty calories. >Breastmilk is the perfect food for a newborn infant; solid foods are not >nearly as complete in the nutrients newborns need for healthy development. >When you feed a small baby solid foods, you’re simply filling the baby with >relatively empty calories which can also be difficult for baby to digest, >leading to bowel troubles. >>I would think the doctors advice is appropriate. >But the AAP says it isn’t. Some doctors are old-fashioned and out-of-touch >with current guidelines. That’s why it behooves parents to know what the >current guidelines are for such things so they can evaluate their doctors >against standard of care. >– >Be well, Barbara (Julian [7/22/97] and Aurora’s [7/19/99] mom)

Response:

I am not trying to fight with you but my third child weighed 12lbs and he ate alot of formula but their digestive systems can be damaged eating too soon because they are not developed enough to handle solid foods. You are very lucky that nothing happened. Please understand I am not trying to fight with you and you have your opinion and I respect that. thanks barb

Response:

I can’t believe how much pressure there is out there to feed solids foods to very young babies.  With my second, I was pretty adamant that she was not to have anything other than breast milk for the first 6 months (she was growing great and having plenty of wet and messy diapers on breast milk–so why do more???)–and the baby sitter snuck her baby food.  Really irked me.  With my first, my parents got out the baby book and showed me where I ate baby food at 3 weeks, as did my brother, and insinuated that it wasn’t normal not to do so.  I can’t imagine why you would feed solids to a little person that can’t even sit up on their own and often doesn’t know how to eat without spitting 95% of it right back out!  I know it "fills them up more"–it certainly isn’t the best fod for them at that age. I know a lot of people–including two of my sister-in-laws–that say they quit nursing because they "couldn’t produce enough milk."  Come to find out, when questioning them, that they thought they weren’t producing enough because their baby wanted to nurse every two hours.  Apparently, no one told them this was the way breastfeding works–or they didn’t want the hassle of unbuttoning their shirt so often.  Breastfeeding takes a certain amount of dedication–but if you choose to follow through with it (and not succomb to pressure to supplement too early with solids)–it is certainly the best choice for mom and baby (and society if you look at the bigger picture).  I nursed Josie all the way to the table–she never had any baby food or formula–and she is the best little athlete I have ever encountered.  Was it easy?  No.  Would I do it again?  In an instant. kendra mom to cody, almost 6; josie, 22 months; and patrick, brand new (and crying to be breastfed right now!)

Response:

Ok Folks her is the biz I have had two previous children both boys and have never seen this from a child. Our newborn daughter now 5 1/2 Lbs was gaining weight so fast she sometimes looked as though she were swollen. Doctor visits confirmed she was healthy happy and content. There is nothing wrong with this baby. In the past week alone she has grown two inches. Here is our theory. She has nothing to poop. She is feeding evey 1 1/2 Hrs now Urinating constantly. She doesnt have that puffy look anymore as she is now streching out. WE have taken her off the pablum and started her on formula to help mom. She still has pooped but she shows no signs of being uncomfortable and is very happy. The Hospital said after three days to come in and they will give her a suppository but we decided to wait and see what happens.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> personally think starting small amounts of solid food at four weeks is >appropriate. >The American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees with you, and I’d take their >advice over a layperson’s any day. The current recommendation is for babies >to have nothing but breastmilk or formula until at least 4 months of age and >ideally until 6 months. >I was started on strained bananas at 4 weeks >And my mom switched me from breastmilk to whole cow’s milk at 20 weeks. Does >that mean it was the best, healthiest thing for me? >and my kids were >started on rice cereal.  This was done because my doctor recommended it. >Then your doctor was almost certainly not following the pediatric guidelines >for solid food introduction, because it’s been at least 4 months of age for >quite some years now. >My children were born nine and ten pounders and had big appetites. >My son was 8 lbs. at birth. On breastmilk alone, he went to 11 lbs. at one >month, 14 at two months, and 17 at 3 months. He ate a lot during those >months. The notion that big babies need something other than breastmilk is >not supported by the evidence. >In the olden days, children always ate solid foods early. >Which "olden days" are we talking about? ‘Cuz I’m betting your average cave >baby didn’t eat solids until he or she was 6 months or older. After all, >Gerber wasn’t making easy-to-mix rice cereal back in those days! >It helps fill them up for longer periods of time. >While this may be true, early solids fill babies up with empty calories. >Breastmilk is the perfect food for a newborn infant; solid foods are not >nearly as complete in the nutrients newborns need for healthy development. >When you feed a small baby solid foods, you’re simply filling the baby with >relatively empty calories which can also be difficult for baby to digest, >leading to bowel troubles. >I would think the doctors advice is appropriate. >But the AAP says it isn’t. Some doctors are old-fashioned and out-of-touch >with current guidelines. That’s why it behooves parents to know what the >current guidelines are for such things so they can evaluate their doctors >against standard of care. >– >Be well, Barbara (Julian [7/22/97] and Aurora’s [7/19/99] mom) >Michelle…mommy of 3

Response:

Hi!  I can agree on it being too soon to feed the baby solids.  I use a barley water formula for my 1 month old.  There’s no solids in it, it’s simply the water from boiling barley wrapped in muslin for 6 1/2 hours (there’s more to it than that though) and it’s very high in protein and builds really strong bones.  (Let me know if you’re interested in the recipe, it’s really a relief for breastfeeding constantly). But he sometimes gets constipated.  I just console him when he screams and I give him a sterilized bottle with distilled water and within an hour or two he has a full diaper.  On the one occasion that this did not work, I gave him warm distilled water with a tablespoon of light corn syrup (Karo brand) and he produced two full diapers in a row.  Check with your doc before doing this though.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We just had a wonderful Baby girl 4 weeks ago and she is growing right > before my eyes. She started at 7lbs 13oz and she is now 12 1/2 lbs. My > problem is this because she is growing so fast she was overwhelming my wife > with the number of feedings( a full 20 minute feed every two hours) we > started giving her small amounts of rice pablum to supplement the breast > milk and give her something more solid to digest. We started with a teaspoon > every night feeding to about a tablespoon. Now she seems to be constipated > she hasent had a bowel movement in a day and a half. She seems ok except for > periods where she screams for an hour and nothing you do will stop her. The > doctors say wait three days and see but I don’t want to leave it that long. > Is this normal when the child has a small change of diet. is there a way to > prevent it and what can I do for her now. > Any advice would be appretiated

Response:

We just had a wonderful Baby girl 4 weeks ago and she is growing right before my eyes. She started at 7lbs 13oz and she is now 12 1/2 lbs. My problem is this because she is growing so fast she was overwhelming my wife with the number of feedings( a full 20 minute feed every two hours) we started giving her small amounts of rice pablum to supplement the breast milk and give her something more solid to digest. We started with a teaspoon every night feeding to about a tablespoon. Now she seems to be constipated she hasent had a bowel movement in a day and a half. She seems ok except for periods where she screams for an hour and nothing you do will stop her. The doctors say wait three days and see but I don’t want to leave it that long. Is this normal when the child has a small change of diet. is there a way to prevent it and what can I do for her now. Any advice would be appretiated

Response:

Did your doctor recommend the rice?  I would try to not feed the solids to a baby so young . . . I nursed my son every 1.5 hours, around the clock.  He was about three months old before he went down to two feedings during the night. I was completely exhausted.  He was very healthy, and the breast milk kept his bowels regular, and his stomach settled.  I’d think hard about staying on the rice – exhaustion is just part of the price you pay for parenthood! Isa Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and good with ketchup.

Response:

>Did your doctor recommend the rice?  I would try to not feed the solids to a >baby so young . . .

Interesting the Doctor suggested we start the pablum as she was overeating and this would help curb the hungry feeling that brought on the feedings. We thought she was comfort nursing but colleen cant produce enough milk to keep up with her. Confused

Response:

I would have a big problem with a Doctor who says to feed a 4 weeks old baby cereal. Their systems can not handle it and is it any wonder she is having bowel problems. I would suppilment with formula before I would consider giving a child that young solid food. Is your wife producing enough milk that at the end of the feeding the baby is satisfied?? Have you tried not feeding the baby right away?? Maybe try rocking or soft singing or just cuddling. Sometimes babies especially that age cry and they are not hungry but will feed for the sucking motion. Hope this helps barb mom of Meghan 8, Joey 6 and Tommy 3.

Response:

>I would have a big problem with a Doctor who says to feed a 4 weeks old >baby cereal. Their systems can not handle it and is it any wonder she is >having bowel problems. I would suppilment with formula before I would >consider giving a child that young solid food. Is your wife producing >enough milk that at the end of the feeding the baby is satisfied?? Have >you tried not feeding the baby right away?? Maybe try rocking or soft >singing or just cuddling. Sometimes babies especially that age cry and >they are not hungry but will feed for the sucking motion. >Hope this helps >barb >mom of Meghan 8, Joey 6 and Tommy 3.

http://www.angelfire.com/ab/adoptbs  personally think starting small amounts of solid food at four weeks is appropriate.  I was started on strained bananas at 4 weeks and my kids were started on rice cereal.  This was done because my doctor recommended it.  My children were born nine and ten pounders and had big appetites.  In the olden days, children always ate solid foods early.  It helps fill them up for longer periods of time.  I would think the doctors advice is appropriate. Michelle…mommy of 3

Response:

The recipe would be great. She still hasnt filled her diaper but her mood is great. She only complains once or twice a day. We called another doctor about the pablum and she says it should be fine. By the way she was up on her hands and knees last night while I was playing with her. Is this normal for a 5 week old baby cause it sure freaked me out Daddy going WOW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi!  I can agree on it being too soon to feed the baby solids.  I use a >barley water formula for my 1 month old.  There’s no solids in it, it’s >simply the water from boiling barley wrapped in muslin for 6 1/2 hours >(there’s more to it than that though) and it’s very high in protein and >builds really strong bones.  (Let me know if you’re interested in the >recipe, it’s really a relief for breastfeeding constantly).

Response:

>>Did your doctor recommend the rice?  I would try to not feed the solids to >a >baby so young . . . >Interesting the Doctor suggested we start the pablum as she was overeating >and this would help curb the hungry feeling that brought on the feedings.

I am looking for the moment like the person in Edvard Munch’s _The Scream. Two-hourly, 20 minute feeding are NORMAL, and TO BE EXPECTED for a breastfed newborn (yes, I am yelling). My 7 week old still eats *at least* that often, and she’s hardly overfed. This is absolutely TERRIBLE advice from your pediatrician. He/she doesn’t understand breastfeeding and the current AAP recommendations if he/she told you this. Based on this, I would be looking for another pediatrician NOW! >We >thought she was comfort nursing but colleen cant produce enough milk to keep >up with her.

Your wife will almost certainly be able to produce enough milk *if* she nurses your baby whenever your baby wants for as long as she wants. At around 3-4 weeks, many babies experience a growth spurt, during which time they seem to nurse constantly. They do so because breastfeeding is a demand and supply system — that is, the more the baby demands, the more supply there will be. Please, please, please give up on the supplements, whether pablum or formula. Unless your baby is dehydrated or gaining weight very poorly, there’s simply no reason to give her anything but breastmilk. — Be well, Barbara (Julian [7/22/97] and Aurora’s [7/19/99] mom)

Response:

> personally think starting small amounts of solid food at four weeks is >appropriate.

The American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees with you, and I’d take their advice over a layperson’s any day. The current recommendation is for babies to have nothing but breastmilk or formula until at least 4 months of age and ideally until 6 months. >I was started on strained bananas at 4 weeks

And my mom switched me from breastmilk to whole cow’s milk at 20 weeks. Does that mean it was the best, healthiest thing for me? >and my kids were >started on rice cereal.  This was done because my doctor recommended it.

Then your doctor was almost certainly not following the pediatric guidelines for solid food introduction, because it’s been at least 4 months of age for quite some years now. >My children were born nine and ten pounders and had big appetites.

My son was 8 lbs. at birth. On breastmilk alone, he went to 11 lbs. at one month, 14 at two months, and 17 at 3 months. He ate a lot during those months. The notion that big babies need something other than breastmilk is not supported by the evidence. >In the olden days, children always ate solid foods early.

Which "olden days" are we talking about? ‘Cuz I’m betting your average cave baby didn’t eat solids until he or she was 6 months or older. After all, Gerber wasn’t making easy-to-mix rice cereal back in those days! >It helps fill them up for longer periods of time.

While this may be true, early solids fill babies up with empty calories. Breastmilk is the perfect food for a newborn infant; solid foods are not nearly as complete in the nutrients newborns need for healthy development. When you feed a small baby solid foods, you’re simply filling the baby with relatively empty calories which can also be difficult for baby to digest, leading to bowel troubles. >I would think the doctors advice is appropriate.

But the AAP says it isn’t. Some doctors are old-fashioned and out-of-touch with current guidelines. That’s why it behooves parents to know what the current guidelines are for such things so they can evaluate their doctors against standard of care. — Be well, Barbara (Julian [7/22/97] and Aurora’s [7/19/99] mom) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Michelle…mommy of 3

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Did your doctor recommend the rice?  I would try to not feed the solids to >a >baby so young . . . >Interesting the Doctor suggested we start the pablum as she was overeating >and this would help curb the hungry feeling that brought on the feedings. We >thought she was comfort nursing but colleen cant produce enough milk to keep >up with her. >Confused

Infants this age do not overfeed, imo.  When they are going through growth spurts they nurse a lot in order to increase your supply.  Try a lactation consultant and see what she says. Generally, peds here are not recommending solids until 4 to 6 months. Dorothy

Response:

What does the pediatrician say about giving a baby this young rice pablum? I think that I would stop this if it is causing her a problem.  Rice cereal is constipating and little ones do not need it at this age, imo.  Check with your doctor, but it seems to me that going back to breastmilk only is the best answer.  The nursing will be a lot for a while until the baby builds the supply back up, but which would you rather have, a bit of exhaustion for a while or a constipated baby? Dorothy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >We just had a wonderful Baby girl 4 weeks ago and she is growing right >before my eyes. She started at 7lbs 13oz and she is now 12 1/2 lbs. My >problem is this because she is growing so fast she was overwhelming my wife >with the number of feedings( a full 20 minute feed every two hours) we >started giving her small amounts of rice pablum to supplement the breast >milk and give her something more solid to digest. We started with a teaspoon >every night feeding to about a tablespoon. Now she seems to be constipated >she hasent had a bowel movement in a day and a half. She seems ok except for >periods where she screams for an hour and nothing you do will stop her. The >doctors say wait three days and see but I don’t want to leave it that long. >Is this normal when the child has a small change of diet. is there a way to >prevent it and what can I do for her now. >Any advice would be appretiated

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