Confused - confused does baby rice cause or ease constipation?

[Tapster]

Not going to do BLW but the puree route. I have two different weaning books - one says mix baby rice with practically everything to prevent constipation and to make them sleep longer the other just has fruit/veg. Not convinced filling a 5 month old tummy with baby rice is the best thing? Does baby rice prevent or cause constipation.

[tibsy]

hi tapster!
i've heard it used to the contrary and was actually given to stop diarrhoea. must say i've found that since starting weaning and principally introducing baby rice, dd has had firmer poos, nice!! best to introduce veg and fruit to keep the balance imo!! also gets them used to the pure taste of veg and fruit, sweetcorn and carrot a fave at the moment good luck!

[Mumpbump]

It can cause constipation. It has been suggested that you mix it with pear puree to prevent constipation. There are some statistics that suggest that babies weaned on rice, rather that just fruit/veg thrive better. I would think there is a good chance they would sleep better!!

[PrettyCandles]

Baby rice is food of the devil! It's vile stuff, tastes of nothing, has no food value or energy - and constipates! Go for the fruit/veg book, IMO.

[fluffyanimal]

Not true that baby rice has no food value or energy! Read the nutritional info on the side of the packet! It's rice, FGS - the staple diet of many a developing country. It contains protein and carbohydrate.

Now it is true that it has fewer calories than milk, and that it tastes of nothing, and that it can have a constipating effect. But mashed veg also have fewer calories, and banana can constipate too.

I found baby rice useful as a very first food to make 'thick milk' - ie something with a familiar taste but a different texture. I also still keep a packet handy for any time DS has an upset tummy, as we find it very settling.

[PrettyCandles]

Each to their own . But it seems to me that, if you start solids with somthing as filling and as slowly digested as babyrice, then you risk effectively reducing the child's calorie intake becausethey may be too full for milk - which is still the most importamt element of their diet, at this stage. OTOH veg are less filling and introduce the child to a range of familiar tastes and textures more quickly, in preparation for a wider, mor 'adult' range of foods.

[Mumpbump]

Fluffyanimal makes a good point. We recently got some dioralyte relief for ds when he had a runny tummy and that has pre-cooked rice in it. If you want to make sure they get their full milk quota, you can always give them half their normal milk first followed by a bit of baby rice mixed with whatever and then the rest of their milk.

[dcb]

i think babyrice is a good starter though and it helps to thicken stuff up so they get used to diff textures - you only need a little bit. it's ok as part of a bablanced diet like anything else. it does cause constipation though. to begin with we got a bit carried away with baby rice and bananas - v constipated as a result but soon cleared with pears and prunes

[Tapster]

Thanks for your opinions - I thought the same that it would fill them up if mixed with veg so they might sleep longer, but also might lead to them cutting down on milk, being constipated. Also worried that if they have pear and rice they won't taste the rice and have the same amount as if they were only having pear and then be too full and either have a sore tummy or throw it up - thats what Nigella Lawson says in her How to Eat book!