Growth spurts can last longer than a week. I know that it is expensive, but rice cereal only fills him up and doesn't provide him the nutrition he needs for growth. The 4 month marker is for babies who are actually eating the cereal, not drinking it, because at that point some babies are able to learn to use their mouths and tongues other than sucking. He is going to need formula for at least a whole year. Weaning is targeted towards breastfeeding.

I think the best option for you is to get the advice of a pediatrician if you want to give him rice to tie him over longer. She will check the baby's weight and growth to make sure rice would be a suitable option for your baby.

hi, my baby boy always seemed hungry. when i got him home fom the hospital after being born he was always sucking and making frog noises like he was hungry all the time so we decided to give him a dummy. that helped heeps he wasnt acting hungry all the time but he still had a bottle every 4 hours.
then i stared feeding him 1 meal a day of the farex rice cereal when he was 3 months but sometimes id put a small ammount in his bottle usually before bed time when he was maybe 2 1/2 months. pesonally i think the age reccomendations are just a guide. just do what ever feels right for you guys.

Hi gemma,

Giving your 9 weeks old baby cereal is far to early!!! It will cause his stomach to become irrated and all he really needs at this age is the recommened formula and alot of love and patience. Although, it is expensive, giving him anythinng other than formula this early would create unhealthy problems that would be far more expensive. Just take a deep breath, enjoy your precious darling son and if you need help as in providing the formula, check with your local hosptial peds department, sometimes they offer what is called "sample" cans of formula or coupons to help offset the cost. There is no "cheap" way in raising a child and if you think it is expensive now...WAKE UP ALERT!!!

By the way, congratulations on being a mom...it is the BEST job in the world and the most rewarding one!

Good Luck,

Faded Rose