Exactly 4 months ago, our little miracle arrived 6 weeks earlier than planned. With the risk of preterm labor, I was put on strict bed rest at 20 weeks. I spent 8 weeks in bed at home, and was on hospitalized bed rest for the following 6 weeks. My OB sent me home at 34 weeks on the promise that I would stay flat until baby Noah decided to make his appearance (3 days later). Although he surprised everyone by only spending 36 hours in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), within the first few weeks, he still ended up losing more weight than our pediatrician was comfortable with . Even with a combination of special high calorie formula and breastfeeding, we were constantly back at the office for measurements and weight checks.
Fast forward 4 months and we're being put on baby food because someone is drinking too much formula! Please click "read more" for more about our first baby cereal experience, as well as pictures and video. Thank you for your support!
Today, was his 4 month well check-up and YES, VACCINES… not getting into that right now. He weighed in at 13 lbs 7 oz. and measured (drum-roll please) 24 inches long! His doctor smiled as we answered “about how many ounces is he having per day?” He was drinking about 32-45 ounces a day. Apparently too much formula can cause issues with electrolytes and other important things. We were SHOCKED when he told us it was time to start cereal today and green veggies next week. Not only were we completely unprepared as far as having everything we needed, but this was one of the hugest parental moments we've had so far. When we first brought this little guy home, his newborn sized clothes swallowed him.
Like many parents of premature babies, we were nervous that he would be underdeveloped, or “fragile” for the rest of his life. We have called him our miracle baby from the very beginning, and he still amazes us every day.
Our Dr. said to mix his cereal with formula and for the first few times, keep it runny. It went pretty much exactly as we had expected, and it was absolutely adorable. He smiled at his daddy while Mommy helped him with his head every now and then, and Uncle Jimmy was even here to cheer him on.
Here is the video of Baby Noah’s first cereal at 4 months old: April 16.