If your baby has been having a hard time sleeping through the night, you’ve probably had more than one well-meaning person tell you to add cereal to your baby’s bottle or start solids. “Think about it, it’s hard to sleep if you’re hungry,” they’ll say. There are several problems with this myth however.
First of all, there is no evidence that solids increase a baby’s total sleep. They may fall asleep a little quicker if they are stuffed, but babies wake up for many reasons which have more to do with their biological clocks than their tummies. The circadian rhythms of babies are much shorter than adults, and they often don’t have the skills to put themselves back to sleep just yet.
Second of all, babies should not be given solids of any kind before six months of age. There are still a lot of books out there that say four months, but six months is the new number according to The American Academy of Pediatrics. Babies this young have immature digestive systems and do not have the oral motor skills to eat. Giving your baby anything but breastmilk or formula before six months of age can lead to illness, food allergies, an increase in the child’s risk of obesity, and possible pulmonary problems (if it’s in a bottle).
Illness:
Introducing solids to a baby’s delicate digestive system can lead to problems such as an upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. Certain enzymes necessary to digest things like protein, carbohydrates, fats and starch are not present in the intestines until your baby is 7-9 months old. For this reason, even six months can be too early for certain foods.
Food Allergies:
Solids shouldn’t be introduced until a baby’s gut is “closed.” This is particularly true if food allergies run in the family. A baby’s gut is “closed” when the intestines are lined with a protein immunoglobulin, which guards the intestines from absorbing hazardous substances. The gut doesn’t close until about six months of age.
Obesity:
Breastmilk and formula contain just the right amount of calories a baby needs. Adding solids may add too many calories and, at the same time, decrease the nutrients the baby receives in her diet. Babies don’t need anything but breastmilk or formula in the first six months of life. They absorb nutrients best from liquids, not solids, and breastmilk and formula contain everything they need in terms of nutrition.
Pulmonary Problems:
Not all young babies’ sucking and swallowing reflexes are fully coordinated and thickening up their bottle with cereal could pose the risk of them inhaling bits of cereal in their lungs.
Frequent feeding is just a part of life, and so is night-waking. Don’t feel like you have to force your baby to sleep more or eat less often. If your infant is waking up in the middle of the night, there is nothing wrong with your baby and there is nothing wrong with you as a parent. There is nothing wrong with a baby who eats every two hours or more, especially if that baby is breastfed. Before you know it, your baby will be a toddler and you won’t be dealing with these issues any longer. Don’t risk your infant’s health for the sake of convenience. Enjoy this stage because it passes quickly.