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Original poster

Rusk in formula?!

19 replies

JazzieJeff · 30/10/2010 20:18

Ok, so I felt like I had to ask about this because I've never heard of it before and thought it was kind of weird...

My nan and auntie came over to visit me and my 2.5 week old DS today. I was talking about feeding during the night and how DH and I are starting to get used to it. Cue knowing looks between my nan and auntie. I asked what that was all about, and my nan goes 'why don't you just put some rusk in his milk? I did it with all my three and they slept through from the word go.' once I'd established what rusks were (clueless mummy), my auntie said she'd done it with my cousins too, and her daughter in turn, had done it with her three girls (now aged between 7 and 3, so quite recent). Now I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to do this, but they made it sound like I'm the only one not doing it.

DS is actually a pretty good sleeper tbh and I don't begrudge getting up in the night, but honestly... Am I missing a trick here? Genuinely, is everyone apart from me doing this? And if not... Where has it come from?!

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Unprune · 30/10/2010 20:25

NO you're NOT missing a trick!
It's a hangover from previous generations when babies were weaned far, far earlier. Now we/they/people who do research know that babies can't digest solid food until a certain age, and some foods "eaten" early might contribute to gut problems later on.
Seriously, the advice now is no solids until 6 months, though many people start at around 5.
In generations before our parents and grandparents, babies might be solely breastfed until about 9 months, and some babies these days aren't interested in food until then, and it's fine.
But your aunties always want you to do what they did, don't they?

naturalbaby · 30/10/2010 20:26

if you read the instructions that come with the bottles i'm sure they all say do not add anything to the milk - the teats are designed for milk and milk (and water i suppose!).

when my boys got over 6months i tried the bedtime milk which has cereal added to help them sleep through but adding rusks is old fashioned advice and seriously not a good idea, especially for a 2 1/2 week old. i wasn't keen on giving them to my boys anyway cause they have lots of sugar in, and gluten (you can get gluten free) which is recommended to be avoided till 6months.

i got used to thinking very hard about anything i said about parenting so i would avoid various unwanted 'advice'. smile and nod, and carry on as you were!

LoopyLoupGarou · 30/10/2010 20:26

No no no no no.

Too young for solid food (can't digest properly, very bad for guts) plus rusks are full of sugar.

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Wigeon · 30/10/2010 20:30

No no no no! You are absolutely not supposed to do this - it counts as giving your child solids and current scientific and medical advice is not to give solids until 6 months.

And the argument "well we did it and it did our children no harm" is complete rubbish - why would you ignore the scientific /medical research evidence of the last 30 years and got advice which is 30-50 years out of date? You would never do this in other areas of medical need, so why would you do this with the health of your child?

I don't know a single current mother who puts rusks in her child's milk (even after 6 months for that matter).

Unprune · 30/10/2010 20:30

What bedtime milk has got cereal added? [curious]

rubyslippers · 30/10/2010 20:32

It is dangerous to add anything other than liquid to a bottle

It is very outdated and unsound advice

Your DS just needs milk

HEXentricaGallumbits · 30/10/2010 20:32

Don't be so feckin ridiculous.

women used to put their babies in gas ovens and add a drop of brandy to the bottles to ake the babies sleep through. Rusk is about the ame.

Wigeon · 30/10/2010 20:34

Just re-read the OP and am quite shocked that your cousin did this with her 7 and 3 year old when they were babies. Again - why would you disregard current medical advice? (and although some people do wean a bit before 6 months I should think 99.9999% of people do not wean at 3 weeks old).

Just found some (midwife-approved and ) information on why you should not add rusks to a small baby's milk, see here.

MadameSin · 30/10/2010 21:43

Jeeze! They'll be telling you to put a wee drop of rum in it next .......

HEXentricaGallumbits · 30/10/2010 22:11

bit of laudanum?

Valpollicella · 30/10/2010 22:22

This reminds me of my mum dipping my baby brother's dummy in honey to get him to keep it in his mouth...

She asked me why I ddn't do the same when DS was tiny, and I explained about the risk of the bacteria risk.

I got the classic response of 'Well, it didn't do your brother any harm...'

DaniJade1990 · 16/11/2010 19:44

My daughters 4 months old and I've just brought rusk to start her weaning is this ok?

Seona1973 · 16/11/2010 19:47

I wouldnt use rusk as a first weaning food as it is loaded with sugar and most also contain gluten which should be avoided until 6 months regardless of when you start weaning. I wouldnt start weaning at 4 months either but if you wanted to then baby rice and simple fruits/veg would be much better than a rusk

NorwegianWould · 16/11/2010 19:52

current thinking is not to wean until 6 months. If you are going to wean earlier than recommended then try to find something without sugar and gluten.

Why do you want to wean so soon?

CharlieBoo · 16/11/2010 20:49

No no no, don't do it! It is something they did years ago, my mum was given something from gp even to thicken my brothers milk. These days it's a big no no. You are a first time mum and you wouldn't know but it is not good for your baby. Other than the obvious 6 months weaning guidelines and being loaded with sugar, it will give your baby a shocking tummy ache and awful wind/colic.

Just keep going with the milk and take what they say with a pinch of salt.

Congrats by the way.

DaniJade1990 · 16/11/2010 21:30

I've just tried one myself and its bloody sweet!! Ha ha in the bin they go!! I will probably hold out until 6 months I was just under the impression u started at 4! Thank god for mumsnet! What's the best to start a baby off when weaning then? Baby rice?

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 16/11/2010 21:36

If you wait until she is able to sit up, and can pick up food and get it into her mouth (so around 6 months) then you can just offer normal food.

Obviously no whole nuts, or honey til 12 months, or allergenic foods if there is a family history of allergies, avoid salt and very sugary foods.

Good first foods include steamed or roast vegetables in pieces big enough for her to hold, pasta shapes, banana, avocado, chunks of cheese, toast fingers

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 16/11/2010 21:37

Good call on ditching the rusks btw, some brands contain more sugar than a jam doughnut!

DaniJade1990 · 16/11/2010 21:54

I have literally just thrown them in he bin ha! Are the jars of baby food any good from 6 months? I'm absolutely clueless think I may invest in a book and go to the local weaning class at my gp!

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