early solids for a baby with reflux and possible food allergies? any suggestions?

[sesa70]

My dd will be months old on the 6th. She was born a bit premature but is gaining weight well and is a very good size (6 lbs at birth and currently a little over 13 lbs).

Dd was adopted and came home to us at 5 weeks old. We struggled with some early intense fussiness that seems to be getting better. She is still a high needs baby, but she does not cry nearly as much or as intensely as she did for the first two months. We still don't know if it was transitional (she did not have a consistent caregiver before coming home), if it was an age thing, or if it is/was a GI issue.

She definitely has reflux and is suspected of having a milk (possibly soy but we don't know) allergy. We started the reflux meds and hypo-allergenic formula (as she is adopted she has not gotten any bm) at the same time so we don't know which had more impact. The combo seemed to help for sure. She still spits up very frequently and even after hours of eating. We suspected food allergies because changing formula did not help and she always had mucus-y stools.

Anyway, we have been seeing a pediatric GI for about two months now. We went for our follow up a couple days ago and she suggested starting her on solids as soon as she is 4 months old, basically oatmeal or rice cereal. She said babies with reflux tend to do better when solids are added to their diets.

I am a bit hesitant, but wanted to ask if anyone had ideas or experience in this area. Thanks in advance!

 

[Buzzer Beater]

Our pediatrician gave us the same advice, saying that thicker foods would not tend to come up into the esophagus so easily. We didn't start solids until about 7 months, and when we did her reflux was no better. Just our experience.

[LadyCatherine185]

I have a breastfed 6 month old, with reflux and food allergy issues. Solids only made things worse. I gave him some banana and avocado just before he turned 6 months, and it gave him horrible gas pains, and certainly did not help the reflux. He is VERY eager to eat, so I let him have a few bites of things here and there, but that is it. If he eats too much, it upsets his tummy.

If her digestive system is not tolerating hypoallergenic formula well, it will probably not tolerate solids very well either. You can always try it, but I wouldn't give too much at a time.

[HeatherB]

The general advice for babies with allergies is to delay solids. I understand the theory that thicker foods will not come up as easily, but introducing more possible allergens only inflames the situation.

My DD is 6.5 (almost 7!) months old and I'm delaying solids with her, still, as I know she's got some allergy/sensitivity/digestive issues and don't want to make it any worse.