Rice Cereal for babies

Thanks ladies!

No Sarah, not offended! Just would be hard to feed her 2-hourly as I still have to try and fit work in inbetween babies.

So babies weights are 6.5 (the 2 bigger ones) and the smaller one is 6kg, so she has put on weight and they said she is probably snacking (??) We have never taught them to snack they have always been feeding on a 3 hourly routine. If I allow her to drink as she pleaases she would probably only get like 250-300mls of milk a day, so we have to feed her when she is sleeping to get the 135 amount in. The paed is closed for this week so might go in next week, but I am very happy they (she) has picked up weight.

She also said that they are over 17weeks that I can give them rice cereal by the spoon, but I dont feel comfortable just yet doing that with Athena mainly as she doesnt hold her head up like the other 2 and I know that that is one of the requirements to start them on solids. I will rather stick this out and wait til I have discussed with their paed.

I also think that it will help with her reflux, cant wait until that gets sorted!!

Chris here is my 2 cents...

At our 5 day check up I was told Matt was being over fed (which he was...) and to only give 60ml every 2-3 hours.
He has reflux and colic too.

I was never told to increase the amount so I kept to that amount and at about 2-3 weeks increased it to 80ml as I thought Matt looked hungry.

Well at the 1 month check up turns out Matt is not hungry...he is starving! poor child.
I was suppose to increase him to between 90-120ml after he reached 2 weeks.
ok so we had a very very cranky baby until I increased the feeds.

But because he was only getting half of what he should, he didnt gain enough weight and was really quite skinny.
So paed has told us to double the milk (120ml now) and add 4 teaspoons of rice cereal (yes...FOUR teaspoons!!)

I initially was not happy about this...who puts a 4 week old baby on cereal???
Well then I thought, you know what, let me not argue. next thing I just dont do it and at my check up in 2 weeks he hasnt gained enough and they then want to investigate or something.

So I went ahead and followed doctors orders and hope that when I see him next week and Matt is back on track with growth, we stop the cereal.

He also said it might help with the reflux...well Matt cries WAY less now. But whether that is cos the reflux is better or just because he is actually being fed enough now, who knows.

well I just thought I'd share my story!! Not sure if it makes you feel any better about starting the cereal!

We have had absolutely no issues with constipation and he drinks his 120ml of milk (with added cereal) so I dont feel he is filling up on cereal and not getting enough milk.

ANother option is maybe changing the little ones whos struggling onto a high calorie formula???
It does sound to me like th reflux is more of a problem than the feeding though...

I think you are doing an awesome job. I know triplets are difficult, I've been there! No sooner have you finished with feeds / baths etc then its time to start again and it seems like constant nappy changing, laundry and bottle washing! Maybe you could feed her first, then the other 2 and then offer little one a top up? I didn't mean to say put them all on a 2-hr routine , I'm truly sorry if it came across that way, just the little one who you say is battling. But if she is gaining weight well and just about on 6kg then to me it sounds like she is doing very well even if she is only taking in less than her siblings.

I think that the fact that they're averaging 6kg and sleeping through shows that they are taking in plenty nutrients from their milk and definitely don't need additional cereal in bottles. My little on is 6 months and only just on 7kg!

It sounds to me like the reflux is a problem with your little girl so perhaps get that checked out.

I think you are doing a wonderful job mommy!!!! You deserve a medal and a huge hug.

The one with the biggest problem is the one drinking the least, she can't manage what the others can so I don't force her, having said that she has battled silent rreflux and has been on meds for it but clearly has not helped, the only time she drinks without crying is when she's asleep, and then she could even have more but I don't give her because she vomits it up.

Also, it is very difficult feeding a baby of triplets 2hrly, as we feed 2 then 1, and they will take about half hour to 1 hour to feed, so by the time u finish the 3rd in the 2nd hour and then the third hour to wash bottles and do everything else, if a mother of triplets can comment on that then pls do, I don't want to do prop feeding as I feel they are still small for that. Feeding 3 babies is different to feeding 1.

The other 2 drinking 170ml because that's what they required for them growing, all of them are averaging 6kg, so they are not very small still wrt weight. These babies r all different but the 2 bigger are requiring that amount of milk and could possibly drink nore, but I only up their feed if they have managed to finish their bottle for a few days, which they have been, but I don't think they can manage more yet. Also my paed did say for their weight they could drink up to 200mls, so I do think its adequate.

On tuesday they are going for their injections so will see if Athena is picking up weight, the other 2 are definitely.

I will speak to the paed about athenas reflux as it clearlky hasn't gootten better but had to wait to see properly until the rsv was gone.

Sarah wrote:

Is there any way she could have smaller bottles on a 2-hrly routine for a few weeks to help her a bit? My daughter was breastfed but on occasion had an expressed bottle. up until 5 months she was eating on avg every 2 hrs and about 100ml. At 3 months she was only taking 60ml/feed. I'm just telling you so you know that not all babies take huge bottles all the time Usually a baby who is very tired doesn't take in enough milk, gets more tired, takes in less milk etc The solution is usually smaller feeds more often. Perhaps it could work for you?

I agree with Sarah re the amounts that different babies eat - my eldest would take about 25 ml's then 20 minutes later another 50mls, then a short time later another small amount and there was nothing I did that would make him take more in each feed. My youngest on the other hand would happily guzzle down whatever I gave him without blinking.
I know it is difficult to demand feed with multiples, but different babies have different needs.

170ml is a lot of milk for a little baby Is the one who doesn't drink well the smallest? Is she perhaps not getting tired (sucking is hard work). Is there any way she could have smaller bottles on a 2-hrly routine for a few weeks to help her a bit? My daughter was breastfed but on occasion had an expressed bottle. up until 5 months she was eating on avg every 2 hrs and about 100ml. At 3 months she was only taking 60ml/feed. I'm just telling you so you know that not all babies take huge bottles all the time Usually a baby who is very tired doesn't take in enough milk, gets more tired, takes in less milk etc The solution is usually smaller feeds more often. Perhaps it could work for you?

As Claudia posted, babies instinctively know how much and when they need to eat. I know they were prem and it is a worry if your little one doesn't take her bottle. Is she thriving? Is she still growing well? (not weight so much, but does she look healthy, happy and alert like a 2 month old should? (working on corrected age here). If they are all growing well and are sleeping through the night and they all seem happy and healthy then I wouldn't worry about making sure they get extra calories from anywhere, they are clearly getting all they need from their milk. Also, don't forget that the amount of milk they need is different for each baby and the guidelines on the formula tin are just guidelines and should also not forget to work it out based on weight rather than age.

Before adding anything to bottles rather speak to their paed about your concerns and perhaps he can give you some guidance.

I don't want to sound horrid, I've worked with too many babies who are 'encouraged' to always finish their bottles / meals and nearly all of them have some issue surrounding food so this is a big concern of mine. But, having also looked after prem babies and multiples I do understand your worries.

Another option for the little baby is to introduce a dream-feed - this is where you offer a bottle at about 10pm without waking baby and let her drink till she stops. It might help you, but if she won't take it don't stress, not all babies do.