Baby rice in a bottle

[Willabywallaby]

Please advise me why this is a big no no.

I know someone doing it and am worried.

TIA

[MummyCoolski]

Because rice is less valuable nutritionally for a small baby. You are essentially replacing tailor-made food with empty carbs. The usual reason is to try to make the baby sleep through longer periods, which isn't necessarily a good thing for the baby if they aren't ready.

Baby rice is fine given as one of baby's first foods from a spoon, after about 6 months I think. Before that, they're really only set-up to digest milk.

[AndIFeedEmGunpowder]

Think it's also a choking hazard of given in a bottle.

[AndIFeedEmGunpowder]

*if

[LIZS]

Main risks are choking as young babies do not yet have the same reflex to swallow lumps, may inhale it into the lungs and dehydration since they feel "full" but not from taking liquids. Processed foods may also contain higher levels of salt and sugar than a baby's body can handle.

[Swoosg]

Choking hazard. And if the baby is less than 17 weeks, this could trigger allergy or digestive problems. Plus this will fill the baby without giving the nutrients needed for development.

[Swoosg]

And also baby rice (all rice, actually) has traces of arsenic. So it's not recommended as a first weaning food.

[ExBrightonBell]

The main hazard is the choking risk as others have said. Then there is the issue of filling the baby up with the relatively un-nutritious rice rather than proper formula. Thirdly, introducing any solids before 17 weeks (assuming this is a very young baby) risks a variety of health issues.
The arsenic risk is very very small so that is not, for me, the main issue.

[tiktok]

Aaaargh! The arsenic myth! Please don't perpetuate it.....the levels of arsenic in baby rice are well below anything remotely risky. This myth scares mothers unnecesarily.

Baby rice is only one of many weaning foods, and there's nothing especially wonderful about it.

But it is not harmful.

It should never be given in a bottle though - dehydration, over-feeding, choking are the risks.

[tiktok]

breastfeedingwithoutbs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/bullshitometer-rice-cereal-edition.html

[AndIFeedEmGunpowder]

Interesting blog Tiktok. Thank you for linking.

[Willabywallaby]

Thanks Tiktok, the baby is 5.5 months old.

I'm not sure if I'll even say anything, but needed to know why if I'm going to 'advise'.

[LIZS]

I guess if they must wean it would at least be better off a spoon than in a bottle, offering a normal bottle first .

[scottishmummy]

No arsenic in baby rice.whatsoever.none.stop generating anxiety with lies and urban myth
Baby food production is mechanised,sanitised to an extremely high standard
If the parents are determined babyrice on spoon is how to serve,not in bottle

[Willabywallaby]

That's what I thought, mine both had a small amount of baby rice, my concern was the fact they're putting it in the bottle.