Hi Janette,
I actually started Gaby on solids when she was 3mths old as I just couldn't satisfy her with the formula. We're currently trying soya formula (the dietician suggested this) as an alternative to the Karicare AR she was on but she absolutely hates it & we're back to not finishing even half of a bottle again. We're a lucky reflux thriver & she weighed in at a hefty 4.86Kg at birth & at the last paeds. apt. in mid Oct she was weighed at 8.72Kg so I can't really complain, it's just a complete waste & a pain when she doesn't drink as she's then starving before the next feed.
If Emma is really allergic to things the best rice cereal to start her on would be MacKenzie's Ground Rice (they are well known for their baking soda). The instructions to making it up as a baby food are on the side of the packet. Apparently it's the better one to use as it doesn't have any additives such as rosemary to give it flavour like the Farex & Heinz have. I think it's available at Coles but I'm unsure as my Mum's been getting it for me as none of the supermarkets in my area have it.
Gab's normal paed. doesn't think it's absolutely necessary for all reflux babies to go on Neocate which is why we stopped it when she didn't like it. He thinks it won't aid her reflux at all.
Gaby doesn't like the pear either. If Emma is super-sensitive to lots of things you'd probably benefit from making your own pears up. Get some super juicy, very ripe pears, peel them & stew them for her. Gab is much happier with our homemade pears than the tin stuff. I just add about 1cm of water to the bottom of the pot with my pears & mash them until they're soft & squishy & the water is dissolved. I then put the mush throuh the blender to remove any remaining lumps & I freeze them in ice-cube trays so that I can conveniently use a serve at a time. If you freeze them properly you can keep them for up to 3mths which lets you have another go with them if you're not successful this time.
Our paed. is hoping to reduce the medication that Gab is on by the time she's 6mths. So far we've dropped the Mylanta which has been a great help. We tried her on normal formula before we went back to the paed. & we also tried to take her off the Zantac but she started screaming & vomitting again. We'll keep trying every so often though & hopefully now she's having 2 meals a day & she's a wee bit bigger, things will improve further.
It's been great to hear from you again,
Peta
Peta, NSW, mum of 2 gorgeous girls