Important Supplements
Becky Lindsey Christine Wallace
CORN
Often we see moms asking if corn could be a problem for their little ones. Sometimes we have a mom who knows her lo is FPIES or IgE to corn. So maybe you’ve seen these posts and wondered:
- Could this be my baby’s problem?
- So what are the symtoms?
- What can I do about it? What are my options?
- How much corn do we need to avoid?
Corn sensitivity, intolerance, IgE allergy, or non IgE mediated allergy appears like any other food that would cause one of these symtoms. Symtoms could include vomiting, mucousy diarrhea, diaper rash, eczema, increased reflux, dramatic change in behavior when exposed, on occasion blood in poop, however this seems to be more rare.
So what do you do if you think, or know, your little one has an issue with corn?
What formula, foods, and products are safest? I’m going to try to list all the things I use here.
*MY BEST PIECE OF ADVICE IS NEVER EVER TRUST SOMEONE WHO SAYS IT IS CORN FREE UNLESS YOU HAVE READ THE INGREDIENTS. It IS DIFFICULT TO EVEN BE MISTRUSTING OF PHARMACISTS; GET A LIST OF INGREDIENTS. AND, UNFORTUNATELY DOCTORS ARE USUALLY CLUELESS ABOUT CORN SENSITIVITY.
*Tip…I took screenshots of the list of corn derivatives and keep them on my phone. I refer back to them OFTEN (I’ll post the website further down)
Some babies do well with being “corn lite”. This would be foods and meds that don’t have an ingredient with the word “corn” in it. This is much easier to do than being corn free. It’s usually best to start corn lite and, if necessary, continue cutting things out as necessary. One thing about corn sensitivity is that there are varying degrees of sensitivity and what one child can tolerate another may not.
So here goes, with everything I’ve learned through a lot of trial and error and tears…
To keep things orderly I’ve categorized things by topics in the comments. So please read the comments for all the info
**I live in the USA, so if you live in a different country this might be a little different. However I find that it’s usually similar.
FORMULA:
Alimentum Ready to Feed is the most corn lite formula. We say corn lite because it does have a couple of ingredients that could be derived from corn (there’s debate about this), but even the most sensitive usually do extremely well on this formula.
- Six Pack of Quart Size Alimentum Ready to Feed
- Six Pack of 8oz Cans of Alimentum Ready to Feed
- 48 Bottles of 2oz Bottles of Alimentum Ready to Feed
Baby’s Only Organic is an option for babies who can tolerate cow’s milk protein and soy protein. It is corn lite as it does not contain corn syrup. If cow’s milk protein is a problem, but baby can tolerate soy, there is a soy version of this also. However, we don not recommend soy formulas for our babies.
For those babies who can’t tolerate Alimentum Ready to Feed due to the broken down milk protein, some can sometimes get by on neocate. It does contain corn syrup and is not considered corn lite.
BREASTFEEDING:
You CAN continue breastfeeding and be corn lite (it is more difficult, but not impossible, to be corn free). You must make all of your own food and avoid prepackaged food for the most part. There are a few things you can buy prepackaged buy they are rare. 100% grass fed and finished meat is a must. All other meats will be corny. All juices, and almost all drinks, will be corny except what is listed below. Multi vitamins are all based on corn. I will post more further down in comments for breastfeeding moms. The biggest tip is to check and double check all labels and trust nothing.
List of corn names on this page
MEDICATION:
All PPIs and h2 blockers have corn: Corn and PPIs
You can try going corn lite. In this case you can get Omeprozole OTC. It’s the most corn lite of the PPIs. You can simply get the capsules, open them, divide the beads according to the dose you need, and give them with a little something acidic such as homemade apple sauce or Martinellis apple juice. Or you can use the OTC omeprozole, zegrid, and CC powder recipe to make an immediate release compound.
You can also use OTC zantac to make a corn lite h2 blocker. The recipe is on the Home Compounding page.
Using CC powder can also make a corn lite alternative to MCS.
If the above options aren’t corn free enough, you can get Omeprozole compounded by a compounding pharmacy to be corn free. You must have a prescription from your doctor requesting the medication be compounded in a corn free vehicle. For the most corn free option- get the omeprozole mixed pure with microcrystalline cellulose. Get the pharmacy to put it in a capsule. They will put each dose into a capsule. Make sure to watch what fillers they use with capsules, keeping in mind other allergens.Then you will give the powder from the capsulest with a little something acidic such as homemade apple sauce. The next best option is get the pharmacy to make the omeprozole into a corn free liquid. It will need to be refilled every two weeks.
You can get corn free Ranitidine made the same way as above. Make sure to ask for the Ranitidine to be made into water, not almond oil.
Basically all medications have corn and must be compounded if you need them corn free. Therefore it’s a good idea to have your pediatrician write a prescription for a few medications to have on hand corn free when needed. I have corn free benadryl (diphenhydramine) and ibuprofen on hand at all times. This is in the event of an allergic reaction or seasonal allergies and in case of fever. Remember you can’t go to the store and simply buy a medication.
If baby ever needs an IV, make sure it doesn’t have dextrose in it, as that would be corn. Any tubes used in a hospital setting need to be washed, as they are usually coated with corn starch, especially those used for intubation during surgery or scopes.
ANTIBIOTICS:
They must also be compounded to be corn free with pure powder. This makes them taste DISGUSTING!! I have to flavor with simple syrup. Not all antibiotics can be compounded to be corn free. Amoxicillin, azithromycin, and clyndomycin can be compounded for babies. Another option is a rocephin shot. They are corn free.
VITAMINS AND PROBIOTICS:
I haven’t found any, and to my knowledge neither has anyone else, found a safe multi vitamin. Many vitamins are grown on corn. Most vitamin A, E, and C comes from corn. You can, at times, find safe individual vitamins. The most tolerated probiotic is GutPro (must get from Corganic not from Amazon, as that’s a different one). You need to buy spoons with it and start very very small and work your way up slowly!!
DIAPERS AND CREAMS:
All disposable diapers have corn EXCEPT Seventh Generation Free and Clear. However, their overnight diapers do contain corn. Diaper rash creams contain corn also, even prescription ones. We use Motherlove Diaper Balm safely. For wipes we use Water Wipes.
SUNSCREEN AND BUG REPELLANT:
We have found success with Badger Balm sunscreen and Badger Balm bug repellent. They seem to work well for both of these uses.
TOOTHPASTE:
Many do well on Squiggle toothpaste. We’ve only recently been able to begin using this. It does contain one small milk ingredient..Lactoferrin so beware.
Another safe toothpaste is Redmond Earthpaste. Make sure to only buy the UNSWEETENED spearmint. The other flavors contain corn.
PEDIALYTE:
Pedialyte contains corn. As do all electrolyte drinks and most juices. However you can make your own Pedialyte
Homemade pedialyte
4c water
1/2t. Salt
2T sugar
Super easy. You can add a splash of juice for flavor if you want, but you don’t need to.
FOOD:
This becomes complicated, as there are varying degrees of sensitivities. However, I’m going to list what works for us. This will help those little ones needing to be corn free and moms needing to be on a corn free TED. I’m just going to list it in random order, as I’m not sure the best way to organize it. However in the comments please visit the links I share as it’s a wonderful source of info.
Olive Oil:
Safest olive oil is Jovial brand, but you have to order it so, next safest is California Ranch Every Day Extra Virgin Olive Oil and you can usually buy it at the supermarket.
Flour & Baking:
Daisy flour is no longer available. Please research other flours.
Me make our own bread and pasta with the help of a bread machine and pasta machine (best investments ever!)
For baking powder we use Hains Featherweight Baking Powder.
Sugar: We use Imperial sugar. She does react to other sugars. Christine W. uses C&H sugar
For other foods… Nothing from a can, as they are usually lined with corn or contain corn. Most things that contain any type of preservative almost always contains corn. There really is just too much to list everything here. So PLEASE check out the websites.
RICE:
For rice the best tolerated is Royal Basmati. Make sure to rinse several times before cooking.
POULTRY & MEAT:
Empire kosher whole chicken – must be the whole chicken, the process to break down & package the chicken makes it corny. Our local Trader Joe’s orders this for us. http://www.empirekosher.com/product/organic-whole-broiler
Also depending on sensitivity level, meat needs to be sourced from a farm/butcher. Most meat is washed with vinegar & packaged in a corny way (soaker pads).
PRODUCE:
Even organic produce is either gassed or sprayed with corny ingredients. Here is where you’ll find varying degrees of sensitivity to corn. Some do ok with organic produce from a grocery store, some do ok with organic produce from a speciality store, and some have to do no spray from a farm. We (Christine) fall into the last category & found two farms that we get all of our produce from.
SPRAY/SPRAY FREE CONCERNS:
Those struggling to find spray free produce either because there’s none in your area or because it’s no longer season – don’t fret. I’m going to post links for several spray free farms that you can order some produce from. Please note, they are not full farms with every vegetable & fruit possible. They are meant to be a bridge until you can find safe spray free.
MEAT:
For meat- for commercial & even depending on your state laws meat must be washed in vinegar or citric acid (aka corn). What the animal eats matters less than how it’s processed for the most part. You want to talk directly to the farmer about how the meat is butchered & processed. You want them to say they use water only. Whole chickens & whole pieces of beef/lamb/bison/pork are safer than ground.
If you are having trouble locally sourcing meat, this is a safe option to order from. Please note ONLY the bison & lamb are water finished & safe.
https://www.northstarbison.com/
SPICES:
Spices are also something to watch out for. You want to use single ingredients, not mixes. Penzy’s & Frontier organic are the best tolerated brands. For salt- pure sea salt if corn lite, pink Himalayan or penzy’s kosher salt flakes if more sensitive.
List of corn free or (mostly corn free) foods:
http://corn-freefoods.blogspot.com/?m=1
During reactions you can do epsom salt baths or clay water/juice to help lessens symptoms, especially the behavioral ones. Another epsom salt and more about Epsom salt bath, including a ‘recipe’ can be found on the Magnesium for the Littles post.
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