Would anyone giving baby rice to their baby PLEASE tell me what nutrients you think it gives them?????

Question

Artificially filling little bellies that need all the space they can get for their wonderful, nutritious milk....

You want info? Iron?

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html

* Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia.
The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby's iron absorption. Healthy, full-term infants who are breastfed exclusively for periods of 6-9 months have been shown to maintain normal hemoglobin values and normal iron stores. In one study (Pisacane, 1995), the researchers concluded that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 7 months (and were not give iron supplements or iron-fortified cereals) had significantly higher hemoglobin levels at one year than breastfed babies who received solid foods earlier than seven months. The researchers found no cases of anemia within the first year in babies breastfed exclusively for seven months and concluded that breastfeeding exclusively for seven months reduces the risk of anemia.

http://www.nutrition.nestle.ca/en/our_products/baby_cereal/starter/rice_add_water

"Ingredients
RICE FLOUR, DRY SKIM MILK, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, PALM OLEIN, CANOLA OIL, COCONUT OIL, OLIGOFRUCTOSE, SUNFLOWER OIL, INULIN, FERROUS FUMARATE, VITAMINS (NICOTINAMIDE, THIAMINE, RIBOFLAVIN)."

Um...yummy.....

Answer 1

I think its just all artificial stuff and crap.-the only good they get from it is probably the milk you mix into it!
Much better to make up some homemade meals stick em in the blender and even freeze some in ice cube trays for later.
At least that way you know whats goingin it.
I also despise ppl that give their kids fruit juice with no added sugar-sweetners substitute the sugar and are far worse-you can clean your kids teeth to prevent harm from sugar but you cant scrub their insides to prevent harm from sweetners.(plus it makes them hyper!)

Answer 2

Its a good way to introduce solids to a babys diet when you decide to wean.By wean i don't mean taking the baby from the bottle i mean combining the 2 together. If a baby is breastfed then maybe you don't need to start solids until they are older as they are getting enough nutrients and calories from the breast. However a lot of babies are bottle fed by choice or circumstances, and shouldn't be frowned upon. These babies need more nutrients and definately more calories to sustain their active lifestyle. We started with baby rice at 4 months, she didn't like it much but it was a good way to introduce a new texture and taste and only a spoon a day. We did stop with baby rice and moved onto other foods until she was on adult food ,3 small meals a day plus snacks at 7 months and 15-20oz formula, at 9 months she has bigger meals the same amount of formula and plenty of snacks. She is very active and now taking steps alone, completely tires herself out as she's never still so she needs food.
Im glad we started her at 4 months as she is a very happy eater now, very healthy and perfect weight.
I think your post is a little rude as its none of your business what other parents decide to do, we mostly all try to do it by the book and be perfect parents but reality kicks in and you realise that you have to tailor every decision to meet yours and your childs needs, not what everyone else thinks you should and shouldn't do.

Answer 3

While cereal may contain a certain amount of "nutrients" (I use that term loosely), the question is how bioavailable those "nutrients" are.

Basically, If the body can't absorb something, it's really of no use... and in the case of iron, it can actually be damaging. Iron is not excreted from the body like other nutrients, and so what cannot be absorbed gets stored in the liver and brain (in kids under 2). You can see where the problems can arise.

There may not be very much iron in breastmilk, but whats there is *very* easily absorbed. It's actually really important to exclusivly breastfeed for as long as possible to ensure your babe gets enough of this good iron, for once you introduce any other food, the way they absorb iron changes.

So... basically, rice cereal is like white bread; Just this side of nutritionally useless.

There is no need to "teach" a child how to eat food, when they are truley ready, they will figure it out on their own... and by that point allergies will not be that big of a concern.

If you are starting food in an infant so early as to worry about allergies to basic fruits and veggies (i.e. before 6 months) then you are starting too soon!!!

As for formula fed infants... They are already getting these badly absorbed nutrients, so starting them with fresh food is even more important.

Answer 4

the only thing I can think of is iron, however I breast feed all mone and never gave them rice cereal and their iron was perfect.

You can make your own at home and give it to them when they are older. My children did not get solids unitl they were well over 7mths. They are all healthy and fine.

I also do not agree with you not giving all the info. If you are pro breast milk say so. If you think that rice cereal is totaly crap explain why do not leave new moms hanging many are just listening to their drs.

Answer 5

Many parents don't know that babies DON'T NEED THIS. They have been told by the elders in the family to do it- it will help babies sleep, etc. I used it with our first- he hated the stuff. He did like oatmeal however.

With our daughter who is breastfed- we never bothered. She had no interest in foods until she was 6 months old- right on time. She went right to veggies, then fruits and so on. My husband brought home a big box of oatmeal- and it sat unopened. There was no need for it. I never found that cereal helped them sleep through the night- but cosleeping does- and we do that instead.

Likewise, Iron is important- but you can get your baby that from peas and other veggies. Thankfully, our baby loves veggies.

So, it is just a misconception.

Answer 6

Pretty much every food has nutrients of some kind. The purpose of rice cereal is that it should be the first food that you start them on because it lets them learn how to eat from a spoon and most babies are not allergic to rice. After the rice cereal they reccomend trying other cereals then moving on to other foods. Also, you are supposed to keep them on milk or formula until about six months then go to solids. If you really feel strongly then speak to your doctor.

Answer 7

I used it only as a stepping stone to real food, for a few days. It is helpful to be able to control the consistancy while lil 'un adjusts to solids. Then onto mashed veg and we've never looked back!

Oh, I occasionally used it as a thickener in fruit purees when they were too sloppy.

But I don't understand why people put it in their babies bottles. If the child is hungry, maybe its time to start solids!!!

Answer 8

In general, most babies do not nutritionally need solid foods until 6 months old.

An advantage of starting with cereal is that infant cereals are iron-fortified and by 6 months old, most babies have almost depleted the store of iron they were born with.

Answer 9

Iron, carbs, prep for solid foods. That is why they say to start with cereal instead of going straight to solids. It is easy to digest, and prepares their little bowels for other foods. And it does give them the following:
Protein 1.0 g 5.0% %
Vitamin A 0.0% %
Vitamin C 0.0% %
Calcium 15.0% %
Iron 45.0% %
Vitamin E 15.0% %
Thiamin 25.0% %
Riboflavin 25.0% %
Niacin 25.0% %
Vitamin B6 25.0% %
Folate 25.0% %
Vitamin B12 25.0% %
Phosphorus 10.0% %
Zinc 20.0% %

Compared to or combined with breast milk (which is 90% water, FYI), it is very healthy. Actually, the cereal contains more b12 and other vitamins than some formulas.

It's all about informed decisions vs. blowing hot air on the soap box, I guess.

Answer 10

my son was on baby rice early at 2 months that was after 2 months of feeding him every hour day and night on 8 ounce bottles which he downed in 5 min and was never sick the doctor finally agreed i shud try him on some rice a tiny amount before each bottle and it worked wonders it made him go 4 hourly which had never happened before so sometimes it does good never did my son anyharm couldnt of tried anything else as it would of really messed with his belly