9. Explore food ideas for toddlers:
If you introduced rice cereal late and in toddlerhood, as part of the baby weaning process, then you have several options available. You can consider adding honey and cow’s milk to the rice cereal for taste. Rice cereal can be a dessert option too. Do note that honey and cow’s milk should not be given to children below the age of 12 months.
10. Can Babies Be Allergic To Rice Cereal?
Yes. Just like any other food, rice cereal has the potential to trigger an allergy. An example is food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), which is a rare food allergy affecting the gastrointestinal tract (6). Rice is among the common triggers for the condition. Below are the symptoms of FPIES:
Vomiting that happens a couple of hours after eating rice
Diarrhea that usually occurs after vomiting
Fever
Lethargy and irritation
Dehydration, due to continuous diarrhea and vomiting
Eliminating rice from the baby’s diet brings down the symptoms of rice-induced food allergy. If your baby is severely dehydrated, then consult a doctor.
Overall, the chances of rice allergy are less due to the absence of gluten in it. The incidence of rice allergy also varies by region, with fewer cases in Europe and the Americas than in Asia.
Rice can be safely eaten by infants with a wheat allergy and immune disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, such as celiac disease. It is still best to consult a doctor before feeding rice cereal in case the baby has other allergies.