Rice Cereal for Acid Reflux? Need Advice!

Kelley - posted on 12/19/2012

I have a friend who tried literally 11 different formulas until she found the right one. Her son had bad reflux and would spit up everything and cry often. My doctor told me it's no big deal to switch, you don't have to wean them. Either it agrees with them or it doesn't...

But I know several moms who put rice and even jars of baby food in their baby's bottle. The point is to make the formula a little heavier...

Luticia Livinglife - posted on 11/16/2012

It's good yr baby doin good

Catherine - posted on 08/07/2010

My son has reflux too, and the doctor advised cereal in the bottle (he said less, though, as I think it was one tablespoon for 6 ounces). My son wouldn't take a bottle, though, so we were never able to try it. There is a special formula with rice in it, Enfamil AR, if you want to try that. We also started on Zantac for a few months, and it worked alright, but not great. It does take at least a week to really take effect. We eventually switched to Prevacid, which works wonders. In terms of switching, though, Prevacid is extremely expensive, and our insurance will only pay for it after the doctor shows that he's tried all the cheaper alternatives, including Zantac, so if you want to switch, you may want to check on that.

Corey Rhodes - posted on 08/06/2010

My daughter was put on all kinds of reflux meds starting at 1 1/2 old. We did have to do her formula from regular to latose free. We had to add the rice to her bottles as well but the problem was 2 tsp per ounce was too thick. Plus getting it to come through the bottle nipple was a challenge. We invested in a blender ground the cereal into powder and instead of 2 tsb per ounce gave her 1 tablespoon per 8 ounce bottle. We also had to go from newborn bottle nipples to 6 month nipples. It is all about tinkering to get it thick enough but not so thick it is hard to get it out. She drank her bottles that way for a yr along with keeping her propped up while sleeping it kept her off all the different reflux meds(which just made things worse.)

Carmen - posted on 08/06/2010

I know you had concerns in May, not sure where your at now, but...I worked in the medical field and when babies have reflux, the Dr.'s ALWAYS start with Zantac. Its very mild and we found that it usually never works well. My son is almost 3 months old and my 20 month old is on Prevacid Solutabs 15mg once a day. IT HELPS ALOT!!!! If you haven't already, ask your child's doctor about going on that instead. You WILL see results. Also, after every feedings, hold baby upright for atleast 30 min. And at night maybe let the baby sleep in a swing upright-all that worked wonders for both our babies! Good Luck! :)

Gayle - posted on 05/15/2010

I had two children with reflux and under a doctor's orders, we thickened their formula with rice cereal - of course we had to cut the hole in the nipple to make it a little larger, but that coupled with feeding them in an upright position had a significant impact. Once they can sit up on their own things start to get better even faster! We did have to used prescription medication too, but if it is mild enough, keeping the baby upright during and immediately after feedings and thickening the formula may be all you need! Good luck!

Kristin - posted on 05/14/2010

I breastfed my both of my boys and the second had reflux. I let him eat as much as he wanted and burped frequently during feedings, but then kept him at an angle so that his head was elevated. We also got a wedge positioner too. Once he got too wiggly in his sleep (squirmed out of the positioner), I put a firmer wedge under him in the crib or pack'n'play.

It sounds more sever with your daughter. I would ask about why there is so much mucus present. It could be less reflux and more a response to the dairy in formula. You might want to try a dairy free kind. Also, call around to some other pediatricians about what they would suggest you try.

Just some ideas. If things are getting better, feel free to disregard or put away for if things change. Hope baby continues to feel better.

Chatty - posted on 05/14/2010

Never did it and never will.....in my opinion it's dangerous and not a risk I was willing to take with my child!

Medic - posted on 05/14/2010

My daughter was put on zantac(which is supposed to be taken on an empty stomach) and it only worked for about two months. Now she is on prevacid and it works amazing. I also have to put a tsp of rice cereal for every scoop(2oz) of formula and it works great. They only make a formula with the rice cereal already in the regular formula not the soy like my daughter is on.

Jamie - posted on 05/14/2010

I wouldn't put the zantac in the bottle especially if you are putting rice in it. She may not get it all. When you put the rice in it tends to stick to the bottle and she may not get all the medication she needs.

Jamie - posted on 05/14/2010

I have had 3 boys with reflux. With my second son we started seeing a GI specialist. She took him off zantac witch the peditrician put him on. She told me there is menthol in it that can make them more upset. We went through a trial of other medications, prevacid is what ended up working. She also had be put him on nutramigen formula witch is hpoallergenic and had me put rice in it. I was very concerned about doing this but did what my doctor asked because he was spitting up so bad. He is now 21 months and is fine. I currently have a 4 week premature baby who we have been going through the same thing with and we have done the same thing. Once you get them on the right medication and find a good balance with the formula/rice things should start to get better.
Best of luck!

Wendy - posted on 05/14/2010

Thanks guys for the responses! My daughter seems to be doing better today just after giving her 3 bottles so far with rice cereal in it. I also managed to get her to take her medicine by putting it in her bottle (which she wouldn't do when it was just straight formula!) Let's hope that she keeps feeling better! Makes for a much happier mommy too when baby is happier! lol

Louise - posted on 05/13/2010

My daughter was on solids at 10 weeks because of acid reflux and and colic I gave her a tsp of baby rice in the evening to start and gradually increased this to breakfast and night and then three times a day. She was constipated but I gave her a few sips of 100% organic apple juice watered down with boiled water as recommended by the health visitor and this did the trick. There is a huge difference to the way your baby will behave once happy, no more screaming in pain bless her. It made such a difference to my daughter and gave us all peace after dealing with a really upset baby. Hope this helps.

Jennifer - posted on 05/13/2010

You can buy formula with rice cereal already in it. It made a huge difference for my son and constipation was never an issue. Rice cereal is very gentle on the stomach and the easiest of the cereals to digest.

Sheriee - posted on 05/13/2010

Hi My baby boy is 6 weeks old he was born 4 weeks premature he was due April 30th had him March 30 since hes had alot of problems one being reflux when he came home from the hospital after 5 days in NICU he was on Reglan and Zantac he was having apnea spells where he would stop breathing so he was on a monitor well after being home for a week he was then hospitalized at the Childrens Hospital for 6 days bc of how many times he had stopped breathing in such a short amount of time they ran all kinds of test and only thing they could determine was his reflux was causing him to stop breathing plus him bein premature even though he was 4 weeks early he was a big baby weighing 7lbs 4oz and 19 in long...they then changed him from Reglan and Zantac to Previcid which is working wonderfully he still spits up a lil but not much and there are times hell reflux and nothing will come up..At his one month check up the DR told me to start cereal 1 tsp per ounce..it helped with the reflux and helps him sleep longer at night cause he is fuller he has gained like 4 pounds since his check up he now weighs 12lbs. Good Luck and If you need any more advice im here hes my youngest of 6.

Theresa - posted on 05/13/2010

My doc had me do the rice cereal fot reflux too. That was about the same amount I used. He did not have problems with constipation. I would not put sugar or kayro syrup in the bottle. That will just make her want sweets and could lead to weight problems later on. You could also try putting the Zantac right in her bottle, that way she won't spit it out.

Ashley - posted on 05/13/2010

hi my baby didnt have acid reflux but i did give her rice cereal when she reached 10 lbs and she did have a little constipation but my mom told me to put a little sugar or kayro syrup with it and it would help but i believe it would help her hope it helps