After how long of eating rice cereal can I switch to Oatmeal....the rice makes her constipated?

Question

she has started baby food...is the cereal necessary?

Answer 1

You should try each cereal for a week before moving to the next one. I don't think it really matters in what order you give them, but most pediatricians recommend you start with rice because it's the gentlest and easiest to digest (although it constipated both of my boys too. Keep this in mind if your baby ever gets diarrhea...rice cereal works wonders!) We went in this order: Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, and finally Mixed Grain.

Answer 2

Gerber makes a great baby, single grain oatmeal. You can give her that now if you're giving her rice cereal. (Oatmeal like you eat is probably too chunky for her- my son is 1 and still won't swallow it...) From the age of 6 months to 1 year, they still get most of their nutrition from the formula or breastmilk, and the foods are really just practice. So the cereal is important because it's mixed with the milk. My doctor, and my readings, have all said to keep the cereal in until they are at least 1, and after that as long as they still like it.

Constipation is very common when introducing new foods. She'll have it on and off while she tries new things. If your doctor approves, water helps with the constipation. If you are making your cereal with water, try making it with milk or formula, for some reason that helped my son.

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Your baby should be about 4 months when she begins to eat solid foods.
I think that rice and formula makes all babies constipated. Try mixing some prune, apple, or other baby food fruit into the rice. This way she'll get the substance of the rice, and the flavor of the fruit.
Also, get some of those baby juices, too. They're gentle enough on the stomach (you can water them down if you like). Remember, babies get thirsty, too. Water and juice will help the constipation.

Answer 4

my grandson started oatmeal a week after the rice cereal, but all babies are different. Nicholas is 8mos old and has been eating cereal and baby food for over 2 mos. He would rather eat than have a bottle or nurse on his mom now :-)

Answer 5

Hi,my name is jennifer and I have 2 children and when they were at that age and they got constipated I would put some fruit(baby food) beside there cereal or I would put like a teaspoon in there milk and that is a good way for them to go to the bathroom

Answer 6

It really depends on her age. I would hold off on the oatmeal until shes atleast 4 months, its alot harder on their little intestines. Best way to help with her constipation, is to give her apple sauce after the rice cereal. Feed her half of each. Worked for all of mine, and my daughter had it the worst. Hope you make out ok.

Answer 7

Rice really isnt much more than a "filler". Continue the formula and baby food. Use the rice to supplement and give a good source of carbs, but your baby really doesnt need much. The baby food is more nutrient dense and the breast milk or formula is a whole source of nutrients so keep this in mind.

Answer 8

It isn't necessary but it does give them fiber and that is a good thing. After about three days on the rice you can try the oatmeal. Just make she that he isn't allergic to it.

Answer 9

you can switch your daughter at any time to oatmeal cereal, , even though your baby is eatting baby food, doesn't mean she is getting all the vitamins and nutrients she needs, and the cereal has like zinc, and stuff that is good for the baby's bones, good luck

Answer 10

You can help her stay regular by giving her a bottle of water a day. You have to give it to her a little at a time. She will need to burp just like with milk. Be very careful because little ones can choke on water very easily until they get used to it. Always hold her in your arms when giving water. I am not insinuating that you prop her with a bottle, but just in case. Just to be safe, boil the water. This will also get her a taste for water and start a healthy habit.