Babies Feed

This is NOT normal and would be considered NEGLECT. Someone needs to educate this mother about what a child needs in terms of fluids per day. I would report the mother to authorities. This child could die of dehydration. And if you withhold bottles from this child you could be charged too. I would give him bottles. M.

OH my goodness NO!!!!! This is not normal. You can really do some damage to a child who does not get the nutrients they need. She is not old enough to even be on cereal 2 a day. Maybe once before bed but that is it. She should solely be on formula or breast milk. I would love to know what this mother was thinking?? Maybe its cheaper?

That is not normal or healthy. You should inform her that he is only wetting very little and should be wetting 7-8 times a day, and that dehydration is very dangerous. At 4 months old they should only just be getting started on cereal, and definitely shouldn't be put to bottle at night only until they are a year or close to it...just because it might make them sleep better does not mean it is better for their health. If she is trying to save money, there are much better ways to do so rather than risking the health of her child.

Nope, this is not normal. She is a dumb a**.

This is not a healthy diet for an infant. Babies need the bulk of their calories and fluids to come from breast milk or formula until they are 12 months old. Physiologically, they're not even really ready for solid foods (like cereal) until six months at least, and so should be exclusively milk/formula fed until then. It used to be accepted practice to feed cereals to four-month-olds to get them to sleep through the night - but four-month-olds are developmentally ready to start sleeping through the night regardless of what they eat. I'd recommend sharing "Baby 411" with your friend, which covers baby's development and provides guidelines for healthy diets once baby is ready to move to solids. The purpose of introducing solid foods at 6 months is not to provide "real" nutrition - it's to teach them how to use their mouth muscles to eat, so when they do wean they can easily transition to table foods.

the mother needs to go to a head doctor doctors don't want babies on solid food till they are SIX MONTHS OLD not FOUR MONTHS babies need SEVERAL BOTTLES ALL DAY LONG NOT JUST AT NIGHT if she has a husband I would talk to him if not I don't know what you can do except she her what everybody sends you on this but I can say that baby is headed for trouble some the can't be reversed good luck

He should be having bottles in-between cereal and fruit feedings. She should really contact her pediatrician for a good feeding schedule.
J.

L. L

Don't know that it is normal, but the doctors always tell me if my son has 6-8 or more diapers a day then he's doing well! Also if he is having bm then he is getting enough. Do not give a child extra water! The reason doctors are saying not to is because you can actually drown your child if they are receiving water in formula based milk or breastmilk you can drown them with too much water, just like a adult can if they drink too much water at a time. I would just mention something to the parent and tell them to to talk to their ped. Remember you might care a lot for child but it's NOT your child!! You can call DHS if they are malnutritioned, but you legally cannot do anything for the child unless the parent asks of it, and if you do and something happens to the child you could be in a lot of trouble.

I'm very concerned that this baby might be seriously dehydrated, which can damage his organs, such as his kidneys. I hope this has not been going on for very long and you can diplomatically help her to change her thinking. It's really a good thing you wrote! Your friend is lucky to have such a caring person watching her son. Best of luck.

Wow! That's sounds a little bit crazy. I didn't start my daughter on cereal until she was around close to 6 mos and then is was only about once or maybe twice a day. Good luck with this.

No, this is not normal. A baby of this age should still be getting PRIMARILY formula or breastmilk and supplementing with food. Even if it is because she can not afford the formula, you need to contact someone -- there have been children that have actually died this way.

sounds to me like he's not being given any water throughout the day either. what a shame! babies need water just as much as we adults. I mean, not 8 glasses per day, of course. But they should be drinking water in between meals and bottles. I've heard that doctors nowadays do not recommend water to be given to the babies. I find it outrageous and unhealthy for the babies! perhaps you could mention to the mom your concerns and do give him water while you are caring for him! you will be doing his little body a big favor!

good luck!

I think this is one of the craziest things I've ever heard. Cereal at 4 months of age is not meant to be a babies sole source of nutrition. It is to help them learn how to eat. Babies should be getting the majority of their nutrients through breastmilk or formula until they are at least a year of age. Sounds like this baby is dehydrated!

OMG!!! Babies need hydration just as much as anybody. He needs bottles during the day! Yell your crazy friend to consult with her doctor because she needs some tips on parenting.

Oh my goodness, at 4 months old the primary source of nutrition comes from formula. Here is a link to an article: http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/agesstages/a/four_months.htm
I would just say something to your friend like you saw on tv or read an article about it. Then ask her what she thinks. She might be doing this to try and save money, though I hope not.

Just a word of caution...I have many years in Child Care in Oklahoma. It is illegal to watch other people's children in your home if you are not a liscensed Child Care Home through DHS.

Section 82. Necessity and issuance of license
(a) License required.
http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/OK/ok_homes.pdf

Now, having said that, everyone I know watches other people's children every now and then. If something happens to that baby she is not going to admit that it is her fault. You could be blamed for hurting this baby. She can always say she didn't tell you to not feed the baby. Do you really think if that baby dies she would claim it was her mistake?

Please tell her you are going to feed her baby the right food and then if she wants to take the baby somewhere else at least you are protected.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/food/infants/feed47m.html

http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/formula/howmuchmilk/
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-tell-how-much-formula-...

You might copy this menu off and just give it to her.
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/babymenua.htm

http://www.babyslumber.com/articles/feeding/how-much-form...

Babies that little should have, at most, 2 cereal or stage 1 baby food feedings per day. Most of the nurtition should still come from breastmilk or formula. This sounds very dangerous to me (I saw a baby on the Today Show who had seizures and almost died when the mom started skimping on formula b/c her money was running low). If money is an issue for formula, there are programs that can help, or she can go to hospitals or food banks. She should also talk to her pediatrician for nutritional advice. Hope this helps - you sound like a great, concerned friend.

Hello, L.. I do not believe that the child you are keeping is getting enough fluids throughout the day. I am a nurse practitioner with a 3 month old myself and I would strongly suggest that you talk to this mom and let her know that the behavior is not healthy for that small baby. Babies will dehydrate faster than adults and working with pediatrics for a couple years now has really sensitized me to this issue. That child needs formula every 3 hours or so. Also, the vitamins in formula promote healthy brain growth and functioning.

way wrong. he should only be getting cereal once a day, if at all at this age. he needs 99% of his caloires from milk (or formula) at this age. i would be worried about the lack of wetting, personally.

You have received lots of good advice but I didn't read all of the responses so just in case someone didn't say it, please consider going one step further if this mother won't change her ways. Start by talking to her about your concerns and that he isn't wetting often. Share the articles the other moms have recommended. Make sure you understand completely what she is doing and that you are clear on her requests. Maybe even tell her that while the baby is in your care, you will give him bottles and she needs to bring formula. This is a very serious problem and neglectful. While some babies can start cereal earlier than others, it is not a replacement for formula or breastmilk. It's dangerous for babies to even have water or watered down formula, even more so to have none at all! I'm sure she wouldn't like to go a whole day without anything to drink. If she doesn't change, please help this child and call child protective services. Thank goodness you are there to look out for that baby!

At 4 months, a babies main nutrition is still the formula. Cereal does not have enough of anything (especially water, vitamins, minerals, or even calories) that an infant needs to be used as a main source. If she wants to feed him cereal during the day that is fine, but she needs to balance it. You might recommend a book called "What to expect the first year" to your friend. It will give her a guideline of what nutritional needs an infant has at different stages of development. It is more important that he is getting the right amount for proper growth and nutrition. It does not sound healthy though. If she continues to follow down that line an not feed her infant formula during the day, I would be tempted to contact child protective services. It is neglect, plain and simple. No doctor would ever recommend no formula during the day, as much as they would not recommend no formula at night. They need the nutrition and hydration around the clock.

Is she a first time mom? Who gave her this idea? I would think any human needs liquid. The baby needs milk and other liquids. You cannot wet if there is nothing going into your system. I would do some serious talking to her now. What does her husband say?

Good Luck Do not let this get out of hand and harm the baby

I'm a dietician, and though I don't know much about pediatrics, I have a two year old and a 3 1/2 month old myself. According to any pediatrician I have taken my children to you shouldn't start rice cereal until 4 months, and even then only about twice per day. Formula and/or breast milk should still be the babies main source of nutrition. Rice cereal does not have near the vitamins/minerals and other nutrients found in formula/breastmilk. Do you know if your friend's doctor recommended this? Because I find it rather doubtful. So to answer your questions is this normal, the answer is NO. :)

NO NO NO. that baby needs to be on breastmilk or formula!! especially since he is not having a lot of wet diapers. oh i'm so sad for that sweet baby - hope you can talk sense into the mom.

Oh my goodness! Maybe she misunderstood the pediatrician's advice to start cereal at 4 months and didn't realize the majority of the baby's nutrition still needs to come from formula. If you are nervous about saying something to her maybe you could put it that way. As far as the cost if formula, I thought it was a lot when I had my first, but put it in perspective after the second baby: a baby takes roughly a $25 can of formula per week. How many adults can get all of their nutrition for a whole week for $25??? Your friend is very lucky to have you, because that baby could suffer long term damage in a very short period of time doing what she is doing. Good luck!

If he's 4 months old he should have *just* barely started having cereal. Having only cereal during the day is crazy at any age but especially at 4 months. Breast milk or formula should still be his primary calories until he is a year.

If she is doing this to save money (cereal is way cheaper than formula) PLEASE help her apply for WIC. She will receive vouchers for formula and as the baby ages the vouchers will age. She will start getting vouchers for juice, cherios, milk, cheese, eggs, etc... These are free products she can get at the grocery store along with her regular groceries.

hey L.,
that baby needs that formula. Pull on his skin on his hand and if it stays up he needs to go to the doctor and get some fuilds. Our doctor told us to start on cereal but if her milk intake drop at all to stop the cereal. She is really headed down the wrong path with this. Formula is costly but never to much for your child. You really need to talk to her and if she doesnt listen talk to her husband.

L.,
Ask a doctor for sure, but I'm pretty sure babies need formula/breast milk during the day every few hours until they are 12 months old. This is a little bit alarming to me, that baby may be getting malnourished!
W.

No, it hasn't changed. Babies need that milk regularly! You are right to be concerned.

That sounds crazy! Babies need to get all of their nutrition from breast milk or formula until 1 year of age! They really shouldn't have any other food, including cereal, until 6 months, and even then just a little to get them used to eating food, they don't really need it, they still need most of their nutrients from the milk/formula. I would tell your friend your concerns in a friendly, non-accusing way, but ASAP. The baby needs more fluids! I would like that mom to ask herself how she would feel if she could only eat oatmeal or something similar all day long and have nothing to drink until night time. I bet she'd be pretty thirsty! The diapers not being very wet is a sure sign the baby needs more fluids (milk or formula).

Cereal alone does not have proper nutrients in it for sole feeding of a 4 month old. Breastmilk or formula is designed to have all nutrients. He should be having 6-8 wet diapers a day. Water and formula are what this urinating process produce. I would have a discussion with your friend as to the needs of an infants needs and functions. Your friend is actually depriving her child. NOT GOOD. She needs to discuss this with her pediatrician. I have said this before, A baby at this age requires 1100 calories a day at a minimum, depending on activity. Cereal does not do this.

Oh my god! Is she crazy?! Formula or breast milk is the most important thing a baby can have during the first year.

Hi! I am here to pretty much say the same thing the other moms have said. I felt compelled to respond as a mom of a 22mo old, one due in Feb, and a pediatric nurse. Babies this young still need 4-6 oz formula/breast milk every 4 hours at least. Rice cereal in theory can be introduced at this point, but really can and should wait a while longer until he is developmentally able to tongue and swallow thicker stuff. Adding a little to his bottle every now and then will not hurt him if it is necessary. But he really needs the vitamins (iron, DHA, and ARA amongst other important minerals) from formula. He can quickly dehydrate himself, become anemic, and deficient of important vitamins that his body needs every day. If he is fussy with a tummy ache then he may already be deficient. Also be aware of twitching and jerking that can be associated with potassium and calcium/Vit D. deficiency/seizures. I am concerned for your friends child. I hope she applies for WIC and/or food stamps soon! Maybe a nutrition consult with at her local pediatricians office or health department would not be a bad idea as well. God Bless you and let us know what happens!!

You are right to be concerned, as the others have mentioned the baby should be having milk, at least a 4 to 6 oz bottle of formula or breastmilk every 3 to 4 hours. If the baby is now starting cereal it should be a small amount 1 to 2 times a day. I started giving my son at that age a small amount of cereal for breakfast and a small amount in the evening. However, I mixed it with the formula and made it very liquidy.

If you talk to your friend and she is having a problem buying the formula mention that the health department provides formula for families. The income guidelines to be elgible for wic is pretty flexible. I know families where both parents work and they were still elgible for help with the formula.

If your friend continues this type of diet with the baby you need to contact someone to intervene for the safety of the baby. Your friend may not realize what she is doing wrong. She may be misinformed,especially if she is a new mom. In the past I have had some misinformed people say to give a baby more food to get them to sleep better. Their little digestive system is not ready for more food. They need their milk, whether it is breastmilk or formula, to help them get the proper nutrition.

Dear Larua,
I am worried about your friend!! Is the baby getting his cereal in a bottle with milk or is he being FED with a spoon??

I am concerned that he might not be getting enough Fluids and may dehydrate.

I'd find out if she got the advice from the Ped. or is she just trying this out...
I started my Daughter out on cereal at 4.5 mos of age but ONLY once/day and ONLY on the advice of her Ped.-she had reflux problems and he thought it would help her keep her milk down during the day...even then it was MIXED WITH her Formula in a bottle and just enough to make the milk stay down-not IN PLACE OF IT.

She didn't even get cereal more than once/day till about 6 mos or even later.
I may be a bit over whatever, but I'd call the Ped's office before I changed ANYTHING in our almost 3 yr old's diet etc...
I'd certainly be on the phone if she'd not peed much during a day.
Please talk with your friend-obviously your GUT is telling YOU what is right and that's why you are asking advice on here!! Convey your concerns and tell her you think it's not good for her baby and as his Mom you Know she wants to do right by him... You really feel doing the best for him right now includes giving him lots of MILK during the day!
Things haven't changed at all since your boys were little and WON'T unless they find a way to put hydration in a Dry form. :-P

Good Luck let us know what happens,
C.

I am so, so glad that you asked. You are absolutely right. You should urge your friend to consult with her son's pediatrician right away. S/he will probably tell her to stop this practice immediately.

Solids have to be introduced slowly, and babies must be offered water with every solids feeding to prevent dehydration. Although the official window for introducing solids is 4-6 months, most doctors urge parents to wait till the end of this time period. Four months is really too soon, and absolutely too soon for more than one small feeding per day, which still consists mostly of formula or breastmilk and just a few teaspoons to a tablespoon of solid food (meaning just a little thicker than formula or breastmilk - not actually "solid" at all).

I'm really concerned about this. Talk to your friend respectfully but emphasize that feeding a baby solids needs to happen very gradually and this type of drastic change is extremely hazardous to her little one's health. Already the consequences he is facing might include dangerous food allergies and digestive disorders that he could be stuck with for life. The best thing his mother can do is pull back and return to his formula or breastmilk feeding at once. I really don't mean to scare you, but this is a serious issue and my goal is for you to impress upon this woman the risks that she is unknowingly incurring on his behalf. I'm sure she wants the best for her son.

Have her call his pediatrician first thing.

L.