We have recently started feeding my almost 6 month old son baby cereal. Prior to this he was exclusively breastfed. We started with rice cereal mixed with breastmilk once a day. He loved it and tolerated it well. Then we moved on to try oatmeal cereal mixed with breastmilk once a day. Since starting the oatmeal, he has several (4-5+) terrible, stinky, foul, greenish poopy diapers a day. Unfortunately, it coincides with my daughter being sick with cough/cold/fever. I am wondering if he has a touch of a bug from his sister OR is it a sign of a food allergy. He eats it willingly, shows no other signs of a rash/difficulty breathing/etc. We're planning to switch and try another cereal, but was wondering if his tummy troubles could be due to the cereal.
Also, he is less interested in nursing since starting the cereal (obviously because he is eating as well as nursing). Just wondering how often to offer the breast. I don't want to overfeed, but not ready to wean him.
Just wondering - is it possible you just are not used to the difference in the b.m.'s from breastfeeding to solids? The b.m.'s from food normally can be green and VERY smelly compared to breastfeeding. You say he has tummy troubles - but is he showing any signs of discomfort, other than the smell?
Switch back to the rice. You could also try the Barley. Oatmeal is too heavy for them. Good luck.
I bet his body's just adjusting to the new food. I'd give it a little while and see if those diapers normalize. If he has no other signs of a sensitivity (it's really unlikely that it's a true allergy), he's most likely just fine. Some kids digestive systems are really responsive to different foods, and other kids poop once a day every day no matter what.
If you suspect a problem with the oatmeal, immediately remove it but don't change anything else about his diet. If the problem goes away, and it occurs at the same time as the disappearance of the illness your daughter has, it could be either. After a good week or two, re-introduce the cereal. If it happens again, discontinue for at least 3 months until his system matures a little.
Anytime you make a dietary change, go slowly. I wouldn't jump in right away and call it a true "allergy" but it's wise to be gradual if you suspect a problem.
There's also a fantastic children's supplement (no warning labels, no drugs) that will probably eliminate any dietary issues or allergies in a gentle way, and also provide optimal nutrition. It's great to not have all those colds, flus and virus stomach-bug things anymore! Let me know if you want more info on that!
On breast feeding - as long as he's enjoying it, keep doing it. It's important nutritionally, and also emotionally for both of you. It's such a special time as long as both mom and baby are feeling positive. It's not so much about the quantity especially because you are mixing breast milk with cereal. Sounds like you are doing great! Once they eat solid foods, they can go longer without eating/nursing, and they just take in more at each feeding. That's good - also helps them sleep thru the night! I don't think you can overfeed - at this age, they stop when they are full.
Good luck!
You are so cute! When I saw newborn I thought you literally meant a real newborn and was thinking "uh, that's not a very good idea". LOL.
Sounds like cereal isn't agreeing with his digestive system, which isn't surprising. Those grains are tough on their tummies. I would go with something a little less harsh for a first food. bananas and avacados are great first food choices!
Oh, and keep in mind at this age food should not be replacing nursing at ALL. If he's less interested, you need to cut waaaaaay back on the solids. Just a taste or two a day is fine. He shouldn't be eating for nutrition at this point.
Hello K.,
I am a mother of four and have helped raise my neices and nephews as well. Any change in diet especially at this age where they exclusively nurse is normal for their bowels to change. But it could be caused by a bug going around especially if your baby is exposed to a school age sibling but I wouldn't worry about if he is showing no other signs. Just to be cautionous I would always make sure you put a good diaper rash cream like A&D with every diaper change to preventive any rashes due to the bowels changes. From experience as well as advice from my nutritional health coach, I don't start my babies off with cereal which really has no nutritional value, I start at six months like you are and I just puree whatever vegetable is being served for dinner of course introducing one at a time for a few days. Then months later I start incorporating pureed fruits. Babies by instinct will nurse as they are hungry or to be hydrated so I just nurse on command. My children are 7, 3, 19 months and 4 months and all are healthy, have no food allergies and have no weight issues. I hope my advice helps but just remember though that you know what is best for your child.
J. C.
BF is number one. Don't go over board with the babyfood. baby doesn't need it. Do not stop feeding him Breast milk or formula until he is at least one years old. a little cereal in the morning is fine. One jar at lunch and another at dinner, but stick with regular feedings of breast milk. If he is getting liquid diapers due to oatmeal, I would say skip it for now and stick with rice cereal which could be a little constipating but give him some fruits for lunch like pears or prunes. The food now is just helping him get used to eating and exploring. It isn't really needed until he is a little older. Some other kids on here have problems with oat cereal. We didn't use it until he was 9 months old. There isn't a need to mix the cereal with breastmilk, but many do it. You can give it separately.
If he is reacting to oatmeal he may have problem with gluten best to avoid it for now maybe when he gets over his cold you should try it again because it could also be the virus he has. Also make sure he isn't teething I know lots of doctors claim that nasty diapers, fever, runny nose are not signs of teething but every time my youngest got a new tooth he had a runny runny nose, fever, and very nasty diapers. As for nursing nurse when he first wakes then offer him a little cereal because breast milk is where he will gets most of his nutrition so offer breastmilk before all food a fruit or veggie at lunch time or dinner time. At 6 months he only needs solids 2x a day then between 9-12 months is a good time to go to 3x a day with solids. The more solids he eats the less he will nurse. One more thing just because he doesn't have a rash doesn't mean he doesn't have an allergy. My little guy was miserable for along time never developed the typical hives he did break out w/ terrible eczema and we found the cause was a dairy allergy, then soy gave him terrible hives, and after a lot of testing we found out he has celiac disease too so if you wait a few weeks and try the oatmeal agian he has the same reaction you may want to consider having him tested for an allergy. Good luck.
K.,
I had a similar experience with single grain oatmeal, which my son loved, except got a rash. We were using Gerber cereals. To figure this out, I stopped all cereal for 3 days and the rash got better. It may just be that his digestive system is just getting used to it. We are on fruits and veggies now for just one meal a day and I am still nursing whenever my 5 month old son wants to. I would say don't worry about overfeeding because your son will tell you when he is not hungry. Good luck:)
I was told by my doctor that rice is more 'binding' and oatmeal is more 'loose' so the stools will be different. There is no need to have to give oatmeal if he does fine on the rice cereal. His young stomach may need more time to get use to the cereal, too. I would just switch back to rice and slow down from adding more foods. I know it gets boring, but soon enough he'll be looking at everything you put into your mouth!!
As for nursing, I just continued to offer the breast in the morning, evening and whenever my daughter was hungry in the afternoon. I made sure she was eating at the table with us three times a day a little solid foods. The nursing dipped a little, but not much. She weaned herself before she turned one year. I wouldn't worry too much. He is figuring things out, too! Explore this time together! Good luck! D.
Until he is one, the majority of his nutrition should come from milk - food is really just for fun and practice at this age.
Oatmeal can be a gluten-containing grain, which really bothers some kids - may want to stick with the rice. We're not introducing grains other than rice till after age one.
