AIBU to carry on giving baby rice milk?

[Starwarsorbaby]

DS is 17 months and since he turned a year we have given him soya milk. He's had terrible skin problems so have switched to rice milk, which he actually prefers. (for bedtime drink).

DD is 6 months, and for the last few weeks we haven't had much sleep because she won't settle and won't drink a full bottle. (she has gaviscon added to her feeds)

We're pulling our hair out and are totally sleep deprived.

Tonight, in desperation, we gave her rice milk and she drank the whole bottle and fell asleep! Oh joy!

Then I Google it and find rice milk is not supposed to be given to children under 4 years.

Would IBU to carry on giving it to them at night before bed or should I stop altogether?

I can ask my hv Monday, but it's Saturday night and needed more immediate, mumsnet advice!
Thanks.

[AShadowLurkingInTheShadows]

Yes. Of course you would it's not supposed to be given to those under 4 years for a reason.

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

If they're not supposed to have it I wouldn't give it. Probably a coincidence anyway. Try banana instead?

[BananaPie]

Hv advice will be don't do it.

I would say do whatever works as long as you're happy she's getting all the nutrients she needs from other milk feeds.

[SweetPeaPods]

I wouldn't give them it. Could you try a different milk? Ds2 drinks oatly oat milk. You could add some oat cream too if you wanted to add extra calories.

[Yokebe]

Can baby have soya milk? Or get the soya formula. Rice milk contains arsenic so definately a no.

[Notmydolly]

Rice milk is bad for children under 5 because it leads to a build up of arsenic.

I switched ds to hemp milk.

Soya is bad...especially boys

[Sorebigtoes]

Definitely stop giving your baby rice milk straight away. It hasn't got what she needs to grow in it and she'll get v poorly. She needs formula. Go back to your GP to review the gaviscon/reflux issues. With your toddler can you try almond milk instead?

[DeathStare]

Yes. Stop the rice milk. Try oat milk. My DD spent the first year of her life on rice milk due to allergies. Then they changed the guidance and she was switched to oat milk with no problems

[MantaRayBay]

I believe rice milk has small amounts of arsenic in it.

Can you try oat milk? Or almond?

[Uptownfuckuup]

try oat milk

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I wouldn't. Rice milk is water, rice, oil and salt. It's not doing her any good. I don't think you need to wait until four - I think two is acceptable - but there's strong guidance that rice milk shouldn't be offered before two years old even for children who have other allergies.

Could you try giving her something else filling, like banana?

[AuditAngel]

If the little one is having Gaviscon, is it due to reflux? I swapped DD2 onto a low lactose formula and she was a changed child.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Ah I'm wrong, it is four years old for rice milk because of the arsenic content.

[DonkeyOaty]

Its the arsenic

stop giving to both children

infants under age of one year should be given breast milk or infant formula; other milk subsitutes are not suitable

I KNOW how hard a non sleeping baby is to live with but please follow guidance

NHS

[VoldysGoneMouldy]

Stop for both of them, it's not advised for a reason. Asneic build up and lack of nutrients. Both quite important things!

Speak to HV and go back to GP if gaviscon isn't working.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

the 17m old.

try koko coconut milk.

the 6m old needs a prescription for pepti milk if you suspect an intolerence

[DeathStare]

infants under age of one year should be given breast milk or infant formula; other milk subsitutes are not suitable

Actually they are. In very specific circumstances under the care of a paediatrician/dietician.

[Lweji]

A quick google says it's because of small arsenic levels in rice milk.

Which types of milk other than soy and rice have you tried?

But just for one or two nights until you can talk to the HV is not likely to be a problem.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Soya is contraindicated under a year of age.

[DonkeyOaty]

oh do beg pardon, my apologies. I withdraw my post above, please ignore.

[NerrSnerr]

Your 6 month old should be having breastmilk or formula for drinks (unless directed by professionals). The reason they shouldn't have rice milk is because of the build up of arsenic.

Is the eldest allergic to milk? Have you seen a specialist?

[Starwarsorbaby]

Ok, will carry on with formula and speak to gp on Monday. Thanks everyone for helping out and stopping a desperate person making a stupid mistake!

Will try oat or coconut milk for DS.

[Buggers]

Rice milk has a lot of sugar in for babies that age. Could you not mix her medicine with some baby food if you've started weaning?

[couldntlovethebearmore]

You need to be giving formula under 12 months as other milk doesnt have enough nutrients and iron in. Speak to your GP

[VestalVirgin]

Milk substitutes do not contain the same nutritients as milk. They are for adults who want to be able to eat vegan but still be able to consume something that has vaguely similar properties to milk.

I would not feed a baby exclusively with a milk substitute for adults. (Arsenic and such issues aside) Much as I mistrust industrial food, formula that is meant for babies is the better alternative here - surely there's something without lactose that is actually meant for babies?