BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Feeding Solid Food => Topic started by: locura on March 08, 2013, 09:09:54 am
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Hi, I was adviced to start my now 5,5mths old DD2 on solids around 4 mths (I know there are different views on this..). She is EBF. We tried a little cereal with mothers milk. We also tried a little avocado (and at one point pear). LO loves everything she is given, it is almost hard to hold back since she is not supposed to have a whole lot in the beginning. But the thing is it causes gas and constipation. Constipation we can deal with, but gas is more troublesome. Because of a lot of NW we had to take a little break and now I want to start again. But when I tried avocado yesterday she got so much gas I donīt know what to do.
LO struggles with gas and sometimes constipation even on mothers milk. It wasnīt always like that, but I think ever since she had a diarrhea at 3 mths she has struggled with gas. I have NO idea what is causing it, bc I am on very restrictive diet (MPSI++). I just donīt know what to do about solids when it makes the gas worse? We already have enough NWīs and sleep struggles (DD2 is a reflux baby and that of course causes much trouble as well..)
Should I keep trying? Should I wait? Should I try something different? ??? I really want to get DD2 started on solids as it might help with the reflux..
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Bumping for you :)
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Hi,
How are things now?
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Hey there. My boy is 5 mths old and in solids (rec for reflux) I found avocado gave him a terrible time. No idea why as it was great for my first refluxer ::) I guess what I'm trying to say is you never know what will work and what will disagree with them so go very slowly, and try to balance out if you can veg with something like pear to help the constipation. I have had had include homemade prune juice in everything :o
For the gas have you tried winding yourLO after solids. Weird I know but T always burps after his solids!
For both my boys pumpkin has been the most fail safe food. Pear was next (though I had to push through a mini flare for ds2)
- sweet potato is often safe
- carrot is good but can cause constipation.
- prune juice or purée is great. (Just a little in food)
- I would try to limit baby cerial, it seems to be the worst for a lot of people wrt constipation.
Hugs
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Have you tried probiotics? If it is not the reflux but stomach problems that seems to be the problem with the solids you might want to try probiotics, they really seemed to help with my two LO's. I'm not sure where you are but in Canada there is a product called biogaia available at our pharmacies, it is kept in the fridge so you have to ask the pharmacist for it. A naturopath I went to also told me to get another kind from a natural store. It is not cheap but not crazy expensive either, might be worth a try.
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I agree with Sandra I was just about to recommend probiotics! They can really help with gas issues!
We have also used biogaia but there are many more available, if you go to a natural products store you can ask for advice about which probiotics are suitable for babies.
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Oh yes, and I agree. T is on probiotics and I have to say when Z started them (back when he had issues) they made a huge improvement!
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Hi guys, thanks for all your replies! It is so helpful to hear your experiences! Based on that Iīve tried a little sweet potato this week and it actually seems to work for DD2 :) I am trying to decide what to give next. Maybe pear since that could help with the constipation. And Iīll definitely get some prune juice as well.
Itīs interesting to hear that probiotics can help that much with the gas issue. Iīll definitely have to do a little research on that and see what I can get.
Thanks again! I am so glad that we are on our way to more solids again :)
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Great update!
Here's some info http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/?page_id=1271
But there is a ton online ... Happy googling :-*
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Watch out and get a probiotic with no dairy ;)
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Probiotics made WITHOUT dairy or soy???
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Very useful information, thanks!
ATM I am giving DD2 4 tsp of sweet potato for lunch (have gone from 1 to 4 in a week). Tomorrow I am introducing pear. DD2 seems so hungry and ready for more solids, can I give more sweet potato (maybe increase to 6 tsp or split into two meals with 3 tsp)? Or, considering her sensitive tummy, should I hold back?
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If the food is ok I don't see harm in givi more. Just do it slowly. You can do a mx of sweet potato and pear too...yum! X
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.. DD2 really didnīt like pear. What do I do when LO doesnīt like something. Try a few more days to see if she gets used to it or switch?
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Try later, or mix it with the sweet potato. ;) if no reflux apples may be ok, pumpkin is also good
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We are almost at 3 weeks with solids now, but going VERY slowly so Iīm only giving sweet potato (1 oz 3 times a day) and banana ATM. At this point do I have to wait a week before introducing a new food? And when I introduce a new food do I still have to start with just 1-2 tsp and then slowly increase? And when can I start with a little oatmeal?
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The general rule is wait 3-5 days before I trouncing a new food ;)
Personally I just mix the new food in with an existing and treat it as the other food if they like it. :-*
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Right, I guess I can speed it up a bit :) How much do you give of each food?
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Hey Locura
I was so glad to have bumped into your post. Your LO sounds just like mine. I started weaning her at 26 weeks. I erred on the side of caution because she was colicky at birth and seemed to have a dairy and soy intolerance. So She was EBF before introducing solids. Tried her with sweet potatoes first. What a horrible mistake. She had terrible gas and was in a great deal of pain. Tried her with avocado and it was even worse than the sweet potatoes. I tried twice with avocado and it didn't improve so I've been too scared to try her again. But everything I gave her after that seemed to cause really bad tummy cramps and gas. It was almost as bad as when she as colicky. Saw paediatrician who suggested the list of least allergenic foods- Pears, bananas, rice, oats are the few he mentioned. I'll be here all day if I have to document all our weaning woes. Now she's 8months and she howls and whines whenever I put solids in her mouth. I've resorted to baby led waning but even with that she's upset when there's food in her mouth. Not sure if its teething or what. All really ironic seeing that I work as a weaning consultant.
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My boy is always hungry so I have to LO,it his solids so he will have milk :o but generally you feed till they are full I think, ie look away, spit it out, don't open their mouth etc.
How are solids going now?
Hugs sueyloo!
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Hi guys! I havenīt been to BWforums in a while so I just noticed your posts!
ZacsMumme: I guess itīs going a little bit better. DD2 has three meals a day - and we are starting a new food almost every day now. Mixing the new food with something she knows works really well :) We still have some tummy issues though. I have a headache from trying to figure out what causes it- so I decided to just accept that it is like that now, keep giving solids and not think so much 8) She is mostly happy, we just have a lot of NWs and (which of course can be due to habit at this point as well as gas, although we do hear gas every time she wakes up..). I have to stay clear of most fruit though bc of reflux. Pear is almost ok, but I cant give too much. Do you know any other fruit that is ok reflux wise? and when does reflux go away? DD2 is now 7 mths old, reflux is better, but we still have to be really careful with what food I eat (because I BF) and what she eats.
sueyloo: how are you doing with solids now? any signs of improvement? I know how frustrating it is that nothing works! I guess some LOs just struggle with their tummys. Both my DDs have sensitive tummies :( I am glad I know from DD1 that even a sensitive tummy gets stronger when getting closer to 1yr ::)
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Hiya
I've only now gotten the chance to come back on BW. And thankfully, it's good news.
She's now eating so well that I figure she's making up for lost time. And better still, she's finally catching up with her growth (she had dropped more than 2 centiles from her birth weight/centile). So do celebrate with me. She put on almost a kilo in about a month. I cannot tell you just how happy and relieved I am about it. She's eating almost everything I offer her now and without any real issues. She's even tolerating some dairy in my diet, so her sensitivities are getting a lot better too.
Only concern now is that her poos still have a bit of mucous in it. The paed still can't figure out what's causing it and has said I should stop challenging her with dairy and mucous in poo generally means some damage to the gut. So I'll have to continue the restricted diet (and delay that Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream) for now. But I can live with that long as my dd2 is doing so well.
How're things going for you now Locura? Hope it's good news all round for you too
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Locura if she has lots of gas maybe try not to give too much fruit. :-\ I've heard pawpaw is quite gentle :-\
good veges for reflux and tummy are pumpkin and yams, some LOs are fine on sweet potato and others get constipated.
Does your LOs have any dairy ATM? If so I would cut it and see if the mucus goes and tummy troubles ease. Have your LOs had any wheat? - this could e causing trouble ... Lamb is considered the safest meat I think. You could also try chicken broth and add it to veges, it's super nutritious and good for the gut. Here is a recipe but I just use a while chicken carcass and add a tbsp of apple cider vinegar and simmer for 24 hrs.
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Sueyloo: Thatīs wonderful news! How old is your DD2, do you think it is a age-related change? That she is getting bigger and less sensitive..? I am waiting for that to happen for my DD2 :) Sadly we still have quite a lot of tummy issues (gas)..
ZacsMumme: Pawpaw is a good idea. DD2 eats a lot of fruit. Of course she loves it so itīs hard to hold back, but if it causes less gas it could be worth a try. I am thinking maybe the bread she eats is causing some trouble too ::) Sweet potato (and banana) is the safest food for us, but LO is getting a bit fed up so I give less safe food just for variation.
I have to admit I look forward to the day when LOs tummy is less sensitive and I can quit BF and have a normal diet again :(
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Other safe but exciting foods are
- lamb or chicken (though if egg allergy in family wait for chicken)
- lettuce, or leafy green veges like kale. Just a tiny bit pureed into her veges though, and obviously see if it affects gas.
- salmon
- millet or quinoa (easily digestable grains)
- avocado
- homemade chicken broth, add it to everything
I hear you on the food....T can only tolerate 3 foods ATM! :(
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Thanks again for many good ideas! :D
DD2 is now soon 9 mths old and safe food is: millet, banana, blueberries, sweet potato, carrot, pear, water melon, chicken and a little mango. LO loves all fruit and bread, but we need to hold back bc of reflux and gas.
We still have a few issues though. Water drinking for instance, LO LOVES it, but is not used to taking a bottle or cup and therefore it causes a lot of reflux. Do I hold back? It seems so wrong to hold back on water ???
Iīd really like to give bread, itīs such an easy lunch to bring (and LO loves it), but it seems to cause a lot of gas. Iīve tried different types of grain separately (such as oat), but it seems anything but millet (Iīll try quinoa one of these days too) causes an upset tummy at night. Is that normal? Or could it be a sensitivity to gluten?
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What type of sippy have you used? My first was bf and a straw sippie was the best - something like this soft spout one to start with.
http://www.target.com/c/sippy-cups-toddler-feeding/nuby/-/N-5xtk9Z5d7xz
Or what about something like this - fora more traditional sippy
http://m.tommeetippee.co.uk/product/first-sips-cup/
Sounds like a gluten intolerance. My T can't have gluten either. Could you try something like crispbread?
http://www.glutenfreeliving.co.nz/index.php/gluten_free_products/product/corn_cruskits
http://shop.countdown.co.nz/Shop/ProductDetails?Stockcode=208511&name=arnotts-cruskits-crispbread-corn
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I found bread at first caused some problems too. And I'm also suspecting it to be partly responsible for the mucous in her poo. But that too seems to have subsided even when I give her tiny bits of bread.
I definitely think the intolerances and hopefully her allergies are age related. Even the dietitian is banking on dd2 not needing neocate after she's one. Fingers crossed for things to improve for you by then too Locura.
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ZacsMumme: yes, maybe I need to experiment more with the cups. Just bought a straw sippie, waiting to see if DD2 gets the hang of it. Quite discouraged as it seems even quinoa, rice and glutenfree bread cause a tummy ache. Maybe I am not reading the signs right ??? Weīve had so much tummy ache and gas lately I am at a loss. Of course if it is gluten intolerance maybe she has a reaction when I eat gluten as well? Do you know if it is common for reflux babies to have so sensitive tummies? I wonder also if I should change into a different probiotics (I am using BioGaia) to see if that will help more...
sueyloo: thanks, it is good to hear your "success" story :) reminds me that there is a life without sensitive baby tummies ;)
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T can't really tolerate any grains. He has a little millet but other than that I avoid them. Grains are harder to digest. Can you stick with fruit, veges, legumes and lean meat for now?
Reflux is a symptom of intolerances sometimes, rather than the cause. With my second once he was eating nothing that irritated his gut his reflux improved a lot.
If you totally avoid all grains/cerial other than millet for now does the gas/pain subside?
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Yes, Iīll definitely try that. Millet works well for us, so Iīll stick to that for a little while and see if it improves!
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Hi again! Veggies/fruit and meat/fish (no grains except millet) is definitely better for DD2. Just wondering about gluten intolerance, is that something that is likely to get better when LO passes 1 year, what can I expect? I know everything about MPSI from DD1 but nothing about gluten intolerance. Is DD2 likely to be affected when I eat gluten (BF)? MPSI (and low acidic) diet is such a sacrifice already, I know for sure I cant do gluten free diet as well. But DD2 is fussy a lot of the time, and struggles with gas pain (at night) even though it is better when weīre doing no grains.. ???
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It may make a diff you being GF :-\ hard to tell.
I have been told to keep T off gluten for 2 yrs. you could try introducing some brown rice, quinoa, or if corn is tolerated corn crispbread.
Hugs x
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Hi, glad things are better for you now. Is he symptom free now ie no gas at night? That is great! Might be worth trying some GF grains again? Quinoa is such a great one if he can tolerate it.
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Hi again! Sorry about my late reply. The summer has been quite hectic.
Iīve tested a lot of different food over the summer and it seems DD2 doesnīt have a gluten intolerance, but that grains in general has been a little hard on her tummy. Millet works fine and now she can take bread also as long as it has only easy digestible grains (I try to stay clear of wheat in particular). I tend to forget about quinoa, but it is definitely something I want to use more.
We still have a little gas, but nothing like before. Thatīs a great relief. Reflux is a lot better too (although we are still a bit careful with certain foods). In general, I think we are also benefitting from the fact that LO is getting older, 1 yr in a month!
Thanks for all help and support through these challenges with starting solids for a reflux&sensitive tummy baby! It has been very helpful and encouraging! :D
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Great update :D
We have had success with dairy, soy, egg and wheat free bread ;)
Other options (even though quinoa is a great one) is polenta, amaranth and brown rice
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Wow, thatīs great! Just wondering, how did you trial dairy?
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Wow, thatīs great! Just wondering, how did you trial dairy?
Sorry I'm not sure I follow? - were you asking me? ;)
T is still dairy free. I was just saying he an have 'everything free' bread, which is nice. Maybe something your LO could try?
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of course! dairy free BREAD. I just read: T has had success with dairy and I thought he could eat dairy again (and soy and egg!). I thought that was pretty amazing, having gone from being so sensitive ;) Yes, we definitely have success with "free-from everything" bread. I am gonna attempt to bake myself - as if I donīt have enough to do already with two little ones 8)
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Hehe ;) I wish it was that easy and quick! Great you found some good bread too
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Just following your thread - cant get V to eat anything anymore after an allergic reaction to peaches - wont take a spoon at all. Looking into BLW but gave her a banana and she choked so bad she threw up everywhere. Do you still purée?
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I still puree, Tom is fussy with food too. Bth my boys have always loved bready things, even though Tom can't really eat much. Crispbread, or toast, mini sandwiches. Tom loves chickpeas, raisins, mini patties (meat or vege)
I'm trying to give more texture so mashing rather than pureeing, and chopped really small.
Hugs, poor thing!