Can cereal help a baby sleep longer?
Many people wonder whether giving a baby cereal will help him to sleep longer overnight. Unfortunately, giving a baby cereal will not help him sleep longer. It is true that babies sleep best when they are not hungry – so nursing or feeding a young baby formula shortly before bedtime can help them to feel more comfortable. However, cereal will not prolong a sleep cycle. As babies get older, their developing brains and bodies allow them to sleep longer without needing to be fed. This is a skill that occurs with age. Practicing this developmental skill by working toward self-soothing at bedtime will also help.
About Dr. Debra Babcock
