Rice Cereal and Gas

LaCi - posted on 06/08/2009

It just takes a while for them to adjust to new things. No need to worry, its not anything you're doing. totally normal

Amy - posted on 06/08/2009

Hi! I've done a lot of research on starting solids, and I've found that baby's digestive systems just are not prepared to handle solids (even cereal) until 6 months. I had heard this, but I wanted to find out why. When babies are born, they do not have the same digestive enzymes that we have. By the time they're 6 months, most of the digestive enzymes have reached their peak levels, and that's why you can start solids then. The enzymes to break down carbohydrates aren't fully present until 7 months, and I believe the enzymes for proteins are at the highest level around 9 months. When your body is not breaking down the foods as they should, it can (and usually will) cause digestive and intestinal issues, thus causing gas or discomfort. I know you hear people saying (as I heard), "I started my baby on solids at 3 months, and he was fine." Maybe he was fine, but did it cause unnecessary discomfort for the baby? Also, babies have what is called "open gut." The cells in their intestines have not fully bonded together. When babies are getting breastmilk only, this can be very beneficial for them because since there is a gap between their cells, all of the vitamins and nutrients from the milk can pass directly into the rest of their bodies. By about 6 months, the gut becomes "closed," and can keep the food inside the intestinal tract. When babies are given solids before 6 months, the food can pass through the gut into the rest of the body and bloodstream. The body sees the food as a foreign object and the immune system attacks it. This produces antibodies against that particular food, and can cause an allergy to that food. That's why doctors say to feed babies one food at a time, and if there's a reaction, stop feeding it immediately, and wait for several months to try it again, when the gut has closed.

And prunes are great for constipation! The literature I was given from the dr. said bananas and apples do not help or contribute to constipation. Also, peas and beans. But again, I'd wait to try these foods until your baby is a little older. Try to get her to drink breastmilk mixed with water to add to her liquid intake. And you can get a relatively cheap manual pump from the store, and since you won't be pumping a lot, just some for cereal, a manual pump is really all you'll need. Good luck!

Laurie - posted on 06/08/2009

Hi! Thanks for the advice so far!



I have thought about mixing the cereal with breastmilk. I wanted to try formula first because I never bought a breast pump since she never accepted a bottle. I think I will try to hand express and see how she does with the rice cereal then. At least that will narrow down the culprit.



I've also been thinking of trying pureed prunes to help her poop. Does apple sauce help with constipation, too?

Corinne - posted on 06/08/2009

i had same prob with ricegiving my baby gas! i still use it in her bottles but i give her the rice with apples for her bowl cereal and stage one baby foods plus soy formula...you might try mixing the apple sauce with the rice or try soy formulas!

Jacklynn - posted on 06/08/2009

I know your doctor said probably not the formula, but have you tried mixing the rice cereal with breast milk instead? Just a thought. Might give you some insight.

Zoe - posted on 06/08/2009

i have also noitced that my little one has become very windy since starting on baby rice=] is your daughter in discomfort with wind as it doesnt seem to bother my son in fact every time he passes wind he thinks its the funniest thing in the world. my little boy can also become conscipated very easily but as he was born 3 months early he has a special formula as well as iron medication and both can cause this. he has been on lactatives since a month old and is now 6 month. if not goin to the toilet is begiining to make her upset maybe the doctor can prescribe her some. we have also found natutral remedies such as diluted orange or prune juice both seem to help our son to go to the toilet. and a great one for getting rid of wind seems to be fennel tea and also lying them on their stomach 9 but remember you need to watch them if doing this ) hope this has helped a little bit =]

Charlotte - posted on 06/08/2009

My son didnt poop for a while when I first started him on rice cereal then the more he ate the more the problem went away. My son farts alot too but thats part of the process. The intestines are sterile when the baby is born so every time you put something new in them they are going to have a reaction. Be happy that your baby is farting if she wasn't farting she would be really cranky and in a lot of pain from the gas. It okay everything is normal. If your daughter doesn't go for four days you might want to call your doctor some babies tend to get constipated.

Charlotte - posted on 06/08/2009

My son didnt poop for a while when I first started him on rice cereal then the more he ate the more the problem went away. My son farts alot too but thats part of the process. The intestines are sterile when the baby is born so every time you put something new in them they are going to have a reaction. Be happy that your baby is farting if she wasn't farting she would be really cranky and in a lot of pain from the gas. It okay everything is normal. If your daughter doesn't go for four days you might want to call your doctor some babies tend to get constipated.