Reactions to Solids

My daughters both have food allergies and one of the reactions to foods they were allergic to when they were little was a rash around the mouth and either on their back or stomach. Write down any unusual behavior like crankiness,gas, or unusual bowel movement after the oatmeal. Call your doctor and find out what they think. It sounds like an allergic reaction to me. Keep her away from all things oatmeal related. Be very careful in case it is a food allergy and chances are she may be allergic to other foods as well.

My son got read around the mouth the first time we did barley cereal. It was just a skin reaction (since he was never a clean eater) and not an allergy. We stopped that night and waited a few weeks before trying again and the next time he had no problems.

It could be a reaction -- I've heard that whole grain cereals are harder on infants'digestive systems and that parents should give their babies single grain cereals during the introduction stage. (Plus, oatmeal is more complex in digesting that rice in general) My friend's pediatrician told her this and she told me because I was about to give my daughter whole grain ("organic") rice cereal and oatmeal. My daughter has reflux so I never gave it to her. I don't know if this is 100% accurate, but also something to ask the ped.

You should stop feeding her the oatmeal and watch the rash until it goes away. What I was told is that you introduce a new food no sooner than every 3 days so you can watch for any reactions.

Maybe in about a month try the oatmeal again. If she reacts the same way, she just might be allergic. I'd give the doc a call if she's uncomfortable.

Good luck!!

The other poster had a good idea. Another comment is that wheat is sometimes a source of allergies for kids. I'm not really sure what whole wheat oatmeal is, but I would just stick to regular oat-oatmeal. Rashes etc are the sort of thing that you might see if an allergy were present. If it turns out to be the food (rather than the sunscreen) just try it again in a few months. ANd if it's the sunscreen, just try a different brand. Sometimes paba is allergenic in sunscreen.

Hi Kimberly,
It could be a reaction or it might not be. The easiest way to tell is to stop both the oatmeal and sunscreen and then wait for the reaction to go away. After it is gone for 24 hours, reintroduce one of them and see if she has a reaction. If not, wait another 24 hours and try the 2nd one.

Children have reactions to food differently. My son gets pink cheeks and excema patches on the insides of his knees and elbows when he has dairy products or anything with sugar in it. I have gotten pretty good at seeing the reaction and knowing what he had.

If it is an oatmeal reaction, stay away from it for a month or so and try it again. It could totally be an age thing. If its the sunscreen, (obviously) try a different brand.

Good luck with your search.
B.