Baby Oatmeal
A common misconception is that you need to purchase packaged baby oatmeal for serving babies, which can be costly and unnecessary. You can easily prepare delicious oatmeal at home safely using any type of oats. While packaged baby oatmeal is often fortified with iron, it is naturally present in all varieties of oats. You can also easily incorporate other iron-rich foods to your homemade oatmeal. Here let me show you!
When can babies eat oatmeal?
This nutritious whole grain can be offered to babies as soon as they’re ready to start solids, usually around 6 months. It’s important to remember that your baby is unique and that rather than going by the calendar, you need to make sure your baby is DEVELOPMENTALLY ready to start solids.If you’re unsure what signs to look for, be sure to grab my FREE handout by clicking below.
Health Benefits
Oatmeal is a wonderful first food as it is easy to digest and loaded with so many nutrients that babies need to grow and thrive, including iron, zinc, fiber, and calcium.Variety is the name of the game when it comes to increasing food acceptance and minimizing picky eating down the road. And oatmeal is SO versatile! You can mix in eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurt, cheese…endless possibilities!
Types of Oats
Baby oat cereal is basically ground oats, which is easy to make at home with the oats you already have on hand. You also don’t have to start with serving only baby cereal or ultra smooth purees, unless that’s what you feel most comfortable doing. If you’ve decided to take the baby led weaning or combination feeding approach, you can serve thicker oatmeal from the start as long as the oats are well cooked and soft. For 6-8 month old babies, quick cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats are best. Steel-cut oats are quite chewy in texture so they’re best to serve to older babies (10+ months).
Ingredients
Oats – I prefer old-fashioned rolled oats as they’re the most versatile and have the perfect texture, not too mushy or firm. Milk – can use breastmilk, formula, cow’s milk, or non-dairy alternatives. While milk shouldn’t be given as a drink until around 12 months of age, it is fine to add to recipes. Dairy is one of the top most common allergens, so take caution when introducing it for the very first time. Here’s a super in-depth post covering the best milk for babies after 1. Chia seeds – here are the health benefits for babies. Egg (optional) – It not only makes the oatmeal creamy and fluffy, it will also provide your baby with iron and protein! If using, be sure to whisk it really well before mixing it in with other ingredients. Optional Toppings/Add-ins: Vegetables – feel free to add in whatever you have on hand! Peanut butter or nut/seed butter if there’s an allergy Fruits – mashed banana, fruit puree, unsweetened applesauce, etc. Spices – Such an easy way to expose your baby to more FLAVOR!!
How to Cook Oatmeal for babies
Quick Oats – 6+ Months
Rolled Oats – 6+ Months
Steel Cut Oats – 10+ Months
You can also try overnight steel cut oats.
Cooking oatmeal with breastmilk
Heat does affect the quality and nutrient profile of breast milk. Research shows that it can break down various enzymes that aid in digestion and boost the immune system. However, breast milk sill provides incredible nutritional value. So if you have extra milk, you can certainly use it to cook with. But if you’re able to stir it into food once it’s cooked and cooled, it’s even better.
Tips for success
Normally, the oatmeal to liquid ratio is 1:2, which you can use if you desire a looser consistency. However, if you want to shape into porridge fingers or balls, I recommend adding slightly less milk. You can always add more liquid at the end to achieve desired consistency. If adding eggs – Be sure to whisk the egg prior to adding it in. Once you pour the egg into the oatmeal, mix in the egg VIGOROUSLY. Otherwise it will cook unevenly and you’ll end up with scrambled eggs. Not the end of the world, but just something to be aware of. Refrigerating oatmeal for at least 30 minutes will make it easier to shape into fingers or balls.
Serving Suggestions
You can absolutely prepare oatmeal for your baby the same way you would for yourself, so don’t hold back ;). You just have to be mindful of modifying the size and texture of add-ins according to your child’s eating skills.
6-8 Month Baby
If you are starting solids and introducing oatmeal for the very first time. Keep it pretty simple with just a couple of toppings of choice. Leave out the egg until you’ve tested separately for any allergic reactions as it is one of the top 9 common allergens. If you’re desiring a more pudding-like consistency, make oatmeal the way you’d eat it and then simply blend. Voila! Oat porridge. Offer a spoon (these are THE best for this age) but chances are your baby will just dive in with their hands and that’s ok! Resist the urge to interfere and continuously wipe them. Messy eating is an important part of learning to self-feed. Alternatively, you can shape into balls or fingers to make the oatmeal easier to eat. Be sure to pair with a source of vitamin C to baby oatmeal to help absorb the iron in oats.
9+ months old
Continue offering the spoon without any expectation that your baby will use it. With continuous exposure and opportunities to practice, things will start to click! Start experimenting with more toppings and textures. Again, variety is the name of the game!
4 Baby Oatmeal Recipes
1. Sweet Potato
You can use any variety of sweet potatoes – jewel, garnet, Japanese sweet potatoes…. My son’s favorite food when he was a baby was purple sweet potatoes so they definitely have a special place in my heart. Compared to the orange ones, they are starchier but not as sweet. I highly recommend you to give them a try! Isn’t the color so gorgeous?! Simply cook and mash with a fork before combining with the rest of the ingredients. You can also use butternut squash or try this easy pumpkin oatmeal!
2. Zucchini and bell pepper
You truly can use whatever vegetables you have on hand for this one! You can add finely chopped cooked or finely grated raw vegetables.
3. Tahini broccoli
Broccoli + lemon + tahini. Remember this combination!! SOO good! How to cook broccoli PERFECTLY for baby
4. Beetroot curry
Beets + spinach + ricotta + curry powder + coconut milk. Yup. It’s as good as it sounds! How to cook beets
Other baby-friendly oat recipes
Healthy oatmeal recipes for babies and kids Peanut butter banana oatmeal Overnight oats No bake oatmeal balls Spinach Baby Pancakes savory baked oatmeal with vegetables 3 ingredient banana cookies Baby Muffins Carrot cake oatmeal smoothie bowl
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