I just saw an ad for Enfamil RestFull formula. It made me laugh, because this week I started sprinkling rice cereal in Elodie's night-time bottle.
The Rice Cereal Debate is legendary. The milk purists think it's some kind of child abuse (obesity! choking hazards! allergies!) while on the other end of the spectrum moms are jamming so much freaking cereal into their kid's bottles it comes out like Cream of Wheat. Does it keep babies full longer? Does it help them sleep through the night? And, even better, is mom a selfish whore for wanting sleep?!?
I debated on whether to even admit that I'm pro-cereal because the backlash over this is on par with boob vs. bottle. But, personal experience with two babies has shown that it works. And now that Enfamil is trying to market their "rice carb" spit up formula as RestFull...hmmm. I guess scientific proof exists.
I sprinkle it in (and by "sprinkle" I mean like 1-2 teaspoons--NOT a generous dumping) starting at 3 months. Elodie was starting to wake up even more (1 am and then 4 am) and guzzling 5 ounce bottles at both feedings. Now? She sleeps from 10 'til 6.
I've had moms confess their dirty rice secret to me in whispers, but I don't see why it's such a big deal. It's one bottle. It's recommended for acid reflux. It's the same first food baby is going to be licking off a spoon in a few weeks anyway.
Elodie is happy and healthy with her little bit of rice, and as her mom, I get to decide whether to add it or not. So there, Bottle Patrol. Neener, neener, neener.
14 comments:
I've never had to do that since my babies slept all night by 3 months old. Glad it's helping you get some rest!
We gave my son rice cereal with his bedtime bottle starting at about 4 months. It definitely helped him sleep better - I guess that makes me a selfish whore, but whatever works!
You do what works for you and your baby; not what works for someone else. If they don't like it? Well, they can......fill in the blank.
At 2 months of age, I add rice cereal to all my kids bottles! (My Dr told me not to) They ALL started to sleep better and when you have triplets, you will do anything ANYTHING to get more sleep.
Whatever works, right?!
my son didnt sleep thru the nigh until he was 12 months old. EBF. If I ever ride this crazy merry go round again, not only am I doing formula at night, I am doing rice cereal in the bottle as early as i can. 10-6 is amazing. amazing you got it made sister.
Luckily I had an "old school" doc who praised me for giving my babies cereal before bedtime at the tender age of 4 weeks. They both slept through the night after that and were happy healthy babies. They are now 25 and 18, neither have ever been overweight. I am a firm believer that mom knows best what is right for her babies, especially when it is the second child.
Jaci,
Peytons' formula (enfamil AR) had rice cereal in it, it was the only thing her poor reflux tummy could keep down. We still started adding some extra cereal (the dr told us to also) at 3ish months. OMG DID SHE SLEEP! She slept like never before. Then 4 months came and it stopped, and 5 months. Now she refuses her nighttime bowl of cereal and doesn't sleep at all. Enjoy it while you can, what works today might not work tomorrow and i'd give anything for some cereal in a bottle to solve her sleeping issues now. She hasn't STTN in 3 months, and refuses her crib, not that she sleeps well with us either. We have tried everything and will have to do an infant sleep study once we move, she has night terrors also. Ugh! I'm surprise pregnant, (thank you PCOS, and dr. who told me my ovaries sucked at life & would never work). I have no clue how i'm going to do it, I look up to you!
I say do whatever works. Hell, I drank coke/ice tea in my bottle back in the day! I am 33 now and just fine! :)
I would pump so my kids could have a bottle with rice cereal in it before bed when they were 5 months old. We wanted to wait until 6 months to introduce solids, but I was so desperate at 5 months that I spent the time pumping so I could give them the rice before bed. It helped! :)
hahahaha, just saw the "just don't be an asshole, mmmmmkay?"
Tremendous- keep it up!
Harrison's been nomming on oatmeal since he was 10 weeks old for his reflux. I'm more concerned with the Oreos he'll be eating in a few years than the organic oatmeal he licked off a spoon.
& I've got enough shit going on in my own life to judge anyone else ;)
The depth of your ignorance and selfishness is astounding.
Oh, anonymous. The depth of your douche-baggery is astounding.
I'd take your opinion of me more seriously if you:
1.) signed your name
2.) gave any reasons why you think I'm ignorant or selfish
Until you can do that, your attacks do no more than make me laugh.
Wow, big brave Anonymous coming in for the attack. We don't use rice cereal, but no judgment here - *especially* about how a mom chooses to feed her child. You're not starving her, right?
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