Fact or Myth: Cereal in my baby's bottle will help my baby sleep longer throughout the night. Read on to learn more!
Adding cereal to your baby's bottle is common misconception that many parents fall into.
As a Pediatric Sleep Expert, I am sad to tell you that this is indeed a …. MYTH. Some people may have told you that this is the case, however, I break down why this is a myth and help explain how this can be harmful to your baby’s health and sleep patterns.
Understanding Sleep and Nutrition
The development stages of your little one’s sleep are their ability to self-soothe are the key factors when it comes to your child sleep throughout the night. Nutrition can impact their sleep in a different way. For example, if you are nursing and eating foods that may negatively impact your child’s tummy throughout the day and night, chances of them not sleeping through the night are high.
I Think I am Ready to Introduce Solids to my Baby…
It is very important to understand the best time to introduce solids to your baby. Here are a few risks to be aware of if you introduce solids too soon.
Immature Digestive System: 6 months of age is usually the recommended age to begin introducing solids to your baby. Their digestive systems are still under development and if you introduce solids too soon, it can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of food allergies. Of course, consult with your pediatrician on whether it’s safe to introduce solids sooner.
Choking Hazard: When adding cereal to the bottle, the content thickens, posing a choking risk.
Nutritional Imbalance: It is highly recommended to exclusively breastfeed, or formula feed the first 6 months. When you add cereal before then, it can impact the balance of essential nutrients that your little one would typically receive during that time.
Can I just use a bottle or breastfeed them to sleep…?
When we use bottles, breastfeeding and any other sleep prop to get our little ones to fall asleep, we are setting ourselves up to struggle when it comes to ensuring that they are sleeping throughout the night. We are setting them up so that they are reliant on those things for them to fall asleep on their own. Now when they wake up in the middle of the night, they are looking for those props to help them fall back to sleep. Now your sleep is broken, because you now must feed them back to sleep. This is not the cycle you want to set yourself up for or continue in some cases.
Ultimately, it is not advisable to add cereal in your baby’s bottle, because it will not help them sleep longer and it also poses health risk. Allowing them the opportunity to self-soothe while implementing healthy sleep habits will be the most effective strategy for you and your little one. Always consult with your pediatrician before changing their diet or sleep routine, because every baby is different and there is not a one size fit all situation when it comes to baby sleep.
If you need further assistance on navigating the sleep for you baby, I offer a free 20 min call, Meet 'N' Greet to get a few specifics on the challenges you may be having. Book a call now so we can get you your nights back and have your little one sleeping through the night independently.
Hello, I am Shannon, founder of Dreamy Slumber Pediatric Sleep Consulting. I am a wife and working mom of 3 and a certified Pediatric Sleep Coach. I started Dreamy Slumber in 2020 following the success of sleep training my oldest son and knowing and understanding the importance and value of sleep training, especially at a young age. My husband and I have been married for 6 years. In addition to supporting families with establishing and maintaining healthy sleep habits for their little ones, I also work in corporate American. So as a working mom and a business owner I know how daunting things can be when you are sleep deprived and trying to save the world at the same time. Let's connect and work together so you can your family can sleep in peace.
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