The presumption is that the extra calories from the cereal will help the baby feel full for a longer period of time and thus not wake up so soon to be fed.
Cereal in formula to help baby sleep.
For generations new moms often encouraged by their mothers and grandmothers have fed a bit of rice cereal to their wakeful babies in an attempt to fill their bellies and coax them to sleep longer.
So the reasoning goes.
Some babies will sleep worse due to reactions to the formula or solids tummy ache etc.
Adding rice cereal to baby s evening bottle is a common practice by many parents who want to fill their baby s belly in the hopes it will help them sleep more.
Studies show that there is no change in the amount of time that a baby will sleep if cereal is put into the bottle.
Mom s are urged to add a little rice baby cereal and formula to baby s bottle as a way to keep him full and sleep through the night.
Three studies have indicated that adding solids or formula to the diet does not cause babies to sleep longer.
This turns out to be a widespread myth.
But studies have shown that this doesn t work.
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Even gerber the popular baby food manufacturer recommends against putting rice cereal in your baby s bottle.
But the aap along with other feeding.
There are a few problems with this recommendation though.
Newborn babies eat frequently and sleep in short stretches because their nervous and digestive systems are developing.
Many even added the cereal to their baby s bedtime bottle.
Are not uncommon particularly if baby is younger than around 6 months.