Oatmeal and Tummy Problems

[Blueone]

Not sure if this is more a health and nutrition topic, but it applies to my 6 month old and I'm wondering if anyone has an infant that has had this problem.

I made some organic oatmeal for him from Gerber and he seemed to get really gassy last night and today didn't have much of an appetite. It was only a tablespoon and a half of oatmeal too. It almost seemed like his tummy was bothered by it. I followed his lead and stopped feeding him when he didn't show interest in it so I'm sure it wasn't over feeding.

I know that celiac's runs in our family, but I've also heard that grains can irritate an infants system because it's a bit more complex.

Any ideas?

[CookAMH]

Oatmeal is one of the hardest grains to digest, even for adults. It also has gluten. I suggest avoiding oatmeal until a year of age. Feed pureed veggies (homemade is best!) mixed with a fat such as coconut oil, or feed pureed avocado.

[Bokonon]

I've noticed that DD gets really gassy when *I* eat oatmeal!

[Blueone]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

Oatmeal is one of the hardest grains to digest, even for adults. It also has gluten. I suggest avoiding oatmeal until a year of age. Feed pureed veggies (homemade is best!) mixed with a fat such as coconut oil, or feed pureed avocado.

Thanks! I hadn't known that about oatmeal. I know that there has been a lot of dispute over whether or not it contains gluten and that it's thought that it's because it's processed with the same equipment that harvests wheat. I don't seem to have a problem with it, but my cousin has severe celiacs and does.

We do homemade purees most of the time! He loves fruits but seems to have a harder time liking vegetables so we're working on that.

[CageFreeFamily]

Oats are one of those grains that really need to be prepared for proper digestion, even for adults.

If you use whole oat groats you can soak them to sprout.
If you use steel cut you can lacto-ferment them (our preferred method).

I would stay away from rolled oats alltogether. Oats, like many things contain highly unstable oils which become rancid very quickly after exposure to the elements. Crushing (rolling) the oats basically exposes all of the natural oils to air and "turning" the oat. Not so good for the tummy.

My kids did well with lacto-fermented Irish oats from about 7 mo.