Homemade oatmeal?

[Dani's mum]

Hi gals,

I recently started my girl on solids.  Rice cereal caused some cramping previously so I'm now trying oatmeal.  I bought large rolled oats and refined them into a powder using my magic bullet. My question is though, is she missing out on vitamins?  I see that bought cereals have added vitamins, so maybe bought is better?  Any input is greatly appreciated!

Also, isn't reflux supposed to lessen as they grow?  My girl is 6months and pukes so much still.  She starts seeing a GI specialist but not for another month. 

[ENMS]

Hey hon, oatmeal, like rice is hard on little tummies. It may be best to try with some veggies or fruits to start with, since she has a sensitive tummy (and especially if the reflux is not well controlled yet). Sweet potato, pumpkin and pears are usually good for refluxers.

That being said, if it's just a few times I don't think she will seriously lack vitamins, here cereals are enriched with iron since after 6 months old it is considered that they need added iron, especially for breastfed babies.

Drs always told me reflux would lessen as they grew but it took a good while before it did. As of 10 months old we were totally med-free, I had never even hoped for that when he was 8 months old, so it will eventually go away, but 6 months is really young still. Usually it gets better once they start to stand a lot and be much more upright. Hopefully the GI will be able to help you.

[clazzat]

I agree with Elise - you are better off starting with fruits and veggies before moving on to cereals.

I had 2 refluxers - one was on meds until about 13 months and the other until 15 months. The magic 6-month mark is a bit of a myth! What is true is that it does become a bit less of an issue once they are upright more of the time - sitting then standing then walking - so although they do still 'flux, they are not as miserable all the time because there is less pain.

[Dani's mum]

Thank you for your input Elise and Clazzat.

Ill try more veggies.  I thought she might be missing out on important nutrients without cereals but for now hopefully veggies will be ok. 

I thought solids would've helped to keep things down but she's puking up carrots, yams and avocados.  Her poop is rather chunky too, but I imagine its normal once on solids.

Hope her reflux gets better with age too . Ill try n be patient.

[ENMS]

Don't worry too much - she's getting most of her nutrients from breastmilk or formula - solids are just for fun at this age

As for solids and reflux... from what I've seen it can go either way, it can help, or (very often it seems) it can make it worse....

Good luck