CHEWING FISTS
Dear Dr.Bear,
Our health 3 month old (approx 13lbs) is constantly chewing her fists even after a full feeding. She is regularly taking 5-6oz of formula per feed 5 times a day (7 am, 11 am, 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 10:30 pm) I was wondering about introducing rice cereal, but understand that it is more appropriate to wait until she is 4 months old. Can you advice me?
Sincerely,
Concerned
Dear Concerned,
Very normal to chew on fists -- every healthy baby does this...and it does not mean teeth are on the way or that the baby is starving.
Never any hurry to have cereal, but check with your pediatrician. We usually only introduce cereal at 4 month to teach them to swallow not for calories cereal is empty calories -- so no nutrition value except for some iron.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bear
