Rice or Oatmeal?

[Anonymous]

I am really considering giving Ben (3 months tomorrow! and about 15 1/2 lbs.) a little bit of cereal in the morning because I can’t think of any other way to get his first dose of Zegerid into him. I don’t know why, but he has such a problem with this first dose, either spitting it out, or swallowing it, and then later puking it up. I have tried to do it before he eats, after he eats, etc… but I think it might have to do with the fact that it’s been so long since his last dose, so he is refluxing more??? I don’t know… Anyway, I know rice is generally the first cereal given to babies, but I know some moms do oatmeal instead. Just wondered the reasoning behind this and what you all recommend?? I am also a little worried about giving him cereal at this age, but I guess it’s okay since so many gerdlings get it in their bottles even earlier, right? Our pediatrician also suggested adding rice to bottles of breastmilk for him (which I haven’t done because he won’t take a bottle and I don’t think it would help anyway), so I know he wouldn’t have a problem with the cereal.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I’d try oatmeal first. Even when I was a nanny for many years taking care of healthy, non-reflux babies I noticed that as soon as they started on rice cereal they became gassy and consipated. That’s why I never gave any of my babies rice. I started all three on oatmeal….my first around 3 months, my second around 2 months (she was a refluxer and the doc thought it might help), and my third around 4 months. They all had no problems whatsoever with it.

All babies are different, so it’s really trial and error with each one, but I hope it works well for Ben if you decide to try it. Probably get the Beechnut brand instead of Gerber since Gerber contains soy which bothers some babies.

[Anonymous]

i am not really sure why the ped’s recommend rice 1st. but shane was fine on rice and fine on oatmeal…. i dont see much of a difference reflux wise, but he does go to the bathroom more since we have been doing oatmeal more than rice.

[hellbennt]

can you mix the zegerid w/ some breastmilk & syringe or bottle feed it to him?

[Anonymous]

I’ve tried! I syringe his medicine to him the other two times, and usually don’t have a problem. But for some reason, he just pushes it out with his tongue in the morning. The other two times, he drinks it right down. I’ve tried even mixing it with breastmilk and doing a bottle, but he won’t have that either. He’s not big on the bottle. I need to keep trying to get him to take one though.

[Anonymous]

I think in general rice or oatmeal doesnt matter unless you have a family history of food issues, my first baby, who now has celiac/gluten intolerant, reacted badly to oatmeal, (which contains gluten) and so with my baby girl when we start solids we are avoiding oatmeal, and I may just avoid rice also (just because of the gas/constipation problem), and start with a veggie…who knows…Ive got some time as she is just 5 months today, and finally eating somewhat “normally” now that we have neocate and a good med dosing…(for now…)

[Anonymous]

Shannon,

When you say your son reacted badly what does that mean? I gave Ben some oatmeal this morning and noticed that his spit up later in the day smelled acidic… something we haven’t noticed in awhile, and his poopy diaper looked mucousy. Could just be a coincidence as both of these things have happened before, but I know it’s not something I ate since I’m still on the elimination diet. Could he just not be ready for cereal yet or is he reacting to it?

[hellbennt]

what brand?gerber has soy (or is it milk? or both?)

[Anonymous]

It was Beechnut. I made sure..

[Anonymous]

i use “healthy times” organic oatmeal cereal, because it has no dairy/soy and wheat! its the only one that i found that says that. i try and stay away from the wheat because there is history with it, not too bad or serious but just a little, so i like to be safe. I guess the only way you will know if he has a probelm is to wait and than introduce it again and see if he has the same reactions. but, i personally just skipped it all together for now, and do the one w/o it.

[Anonymous]

Lauren,

Where can you find the “healthy times” brand??

[Anonymous]

sorry it took a bit getting back to you

When my son reacted to oatmeal, he broke out in a rash, his belly got huge (distended) and he screamed in pain most of the night, he also has explosive diarhhea with mucous….he didnt have reflux though, so it may be different with reflux added into the mix….I did trial the oatmeal for 3 days, and these symptoms showed up the 2nd night, I quit on day three when he got worse…

(Lauren fyi, if you are just avoiding wheat, then wheat-free is fine, but if avoiding gluten, wheat free doesnt always equal gluten free)

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