🌾 Rice
Allergen note
Rice rarely causes allergies, but it is one of the more common triggers of FPIES, a delayed reaction with repeated vomiting 1 to 4 hours after eating, sometimes with paleness or floppiness. Start with a small portion, and if this happens, get medical help right away.
How to serve
From 6 months, serve soft rice as a smooth porridge or congee, or press sticky rice into small balls or patties your baby can hold. From 9 months, offer loose grains for pincer practice. Vary grains during the week, and don't give rice milk as a drink under 5 years.
Preparation
Rinse the rice, then cook it until very soft in plenty of water and drain off the excess, which lowers its arsenic content. Skip the salt. Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate within an hour, use within a day and reheat only once until steaming hot.
Texture and choking risk
Very soft, moist rice is usually easy for babies to manage, but loose, dry grains can scatter and cause gagging, and hard rice crackers or crispy rice crusts are harder to handle. Keep rice moist and clumped, choose rice snacks that melt quickly in the mouth, and supervise your seated child.
Sources: cdc.gov · cdc.gov · healthychildren.org · healthychildren.org · nhs.uk · nhs.uk
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries rice, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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