Cereal For Babies gained importance in recent times; as your baby gets older, they need more food at each feeding. It is required for the proper development of the various faculties of the body.
When they consume more calories, they will gain more weight. Consumption of more milk with time is a sign of the healthy growth of the baby. So, what can you give other than breastmilk to meet the nutritional needs of the baby?
Baby cereal is soft, solid, and easily digestible food designed for babies between six months to years. This article will learn about some of the best baby cereals and when you should give them to your baby.
When to Start Cereal for babies?
It is imperative to introduce solid food to your baby as breastmilk alone would not be enough to fulfill her daily needs effectively. These foods provide adequate nourishment in her formative years. Having known the significance of baby foods, now the questions that when it is safe to start Cereal for the baby.
The health experts believe that the right time to introduce cereals in your baby’s diet is after six months of age. Till the baby attains this age, feeding her with breast milk every two years is sufficient. (1)
Before you start to introduce solid foods, there are a few signs that you need to watch for:
- the ability to support her head,
- the ability to push food out of the mouth
- showing interest in what you eat
On observing these signs and receiving a green signal from the pediatrician, you can begin feeding your baby rice cereal by adding rice flakes to the breast milk. By mixing it in the breastmilk, the baby will get a familiar taste.
Mixing Cereal for babies with breastmilk will help accept readily available rice cereal and decrease the chances of possible allergies. Once your baby gets accustomed to the taste of the rice cereal, you can slowly increase the amount.
You can also try adding other foods (one at a time) to her diet as she gets older. These can be barley or oats, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and meat. While introducing these foods in her diet, you should watch out for any allergic reactions such as diarrhea, rashes, bloating, or other signs. (2)
Top 5 Cereal for Babies in India
We have compiled a list of the five best Cereal for babies in India.
1. Nestle CEREGROW Fortified Multigrain Cereal with Fruits and Milk
Nestle CEREGROW is a popularly consumed cereal for babies by Nestle. It is dense in nutrition and has the goodness of multi-grain, fruits, and grains. It is best suited for infants between the age of 2 to 5 years. A high amount of calcium, vitamins, and protein is essential for the cognitive development of the body. The product comes in a 300g box at Rs. 277.00.
It contains the following main ingredients:
Wheat flour (40.4%), Milk solids (31.2%), with Sugar), Cornflour (3.3%), Moong dal flour (2.9%), malt extract, contains 17 vitamins that include Vitamin A, C, and D, and Minerals, Antioxidant (alpha-tocopherol), Rice flour (5.6%), and Soyabean oil. (3)
2. Slurrp Farm Organic Baby Cereal, Ragi, Rice and Strawberry with Milk
Slurrp Farm Organic is another very healthy and nutritious cereal for babies. It comes in a 200g box for Rs. 277.00. It is an entirely organic cereal made with organic ragi, wheat, and rice, which is excellent for the development of bones. The Cereal is fortified with iron, vitamins, and minerals. It contains small amounts of organic brown Sugar and pure strawberry fruit. It is free from preservatives, trans fats, artificial colors, and flavors.
TIP: Since it’s an organic product, soak these cereals for babies well before giving them to the baby.
3. Groviva Child Nutrition Supplement Jar -400g (Chocolate Flavored)
Groviva is a scientifically made Child Nutrition Supplement that helps in the overall development of the brain, Weight, Height, and immunity of the baby. It contains a total of thirty-eight major nutrients that includes dual protein, probiotics, the highest DHA, calcium, and dietary fiber that meets the RDA guidelines of the baby. The product comes in various delicious flavors that include Mango, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate. It comes in a box of 400 grams in the price range of Rs. 594 to Rs. 650.
4. Pristine 1st Bites Ragi Baby Cereal
PRISTINE 1st bites is another excellent cereal for Babies that supports growth and development, cognitive abilities, gut health, immune function, and bone health in the body. This product is ICMR approved and suitable for between the age of 2 to 12 years of age. The product is enriched with ragi that contain ten times more calcium than wheat. It is made from organic ingredients with no added preservatives and synthetic ingredients. Pristine Ragi cereal comes in a 300 grams pack for Rs. 250.00.
5. Farex Wheat Apple
Farex is another prestigious brand that manufactures cereal for babies. The price of 300 grams of this product is Rs. 225.00. It is an entirely organic and vegetarian product that comprises the goodness of twenty-one essential nutrients. It is a composition of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, calcium and iron, to support the development of the brain and other vital organs in the body. This food is ideal for babies who are six months or more in age.
10 Homemade Cereal for Babies
Homemade cereals may need a little effort on your part, but they are purer and healthier than store-bought cereals. Rice cereal is a fundamental and popular choice, but several other ways to prepare a solid diet. You can use a variety of fruits and vegetables to make your basic Cereal more nutritious.
1. Rice Cereal
- This Cereal is prepared by adding a one-fourth cup of brown rice powder to water.
- Simmer this mixture on low flame for around ten minutes. Let it cool down.
- Now add breast milk to it to obtain desired consistency.
This baby cereal is ideal for a six-month-old baby. It is best to prepare it fresh. Rice Cereal for Babies is one of the most popular foods recommended by infant nutrition experts.
2. Apple and Oats Cereal
- This Cereal is made of half apple, one-fourth cup of powdered oats, and three-fourth cups of water.
- Add all ingredients and simmer them for about ten minutes. Allow it to cool.
- Mash the entire mixture. Add breast milk to it to get a thin consistency.
Apple and Oats Cereal for Babies Suitable for babies of six months of age.
3. Rice and Dal Cereal
Once your baby becomes accustomed to rice cereal, you can try adding pulses to it. This mixture is ideal for a six-month-old baby.
- This Cereal is prepared by adding one tbsp of toasted dal to three cups of toasted rice.
- Cool the mixture and grind it to form a paste.
- Now add two teaspoons of water to it to prepare a paste.
Oatmeal Cereal with/without fruits
This Cereal for Babies is prepared with three ingredients, i.e., one-fourth cup of oats, one cup of water, and breast milk. Add some water to a container. Bring the water to a boil. Now add oats. Simmer it for ten minutes on low heat. Stir continuously. Cool it and add breast milk to it; add chopped fruits to it. This Cereal is ideal for a one-year-old baby.
Barley Cereal
After rice and oats, you can now feed another healthy grain, i.e., barley, to your baby. All you need is a one-fourth cup of barley powder, one cup of water, and breast milk. Boil water in a container. Now add barley powder to it. Stir the mixture continuously. Simmer on low heat for ten minutes. Add breast milk to reach the desired consistency for your baby. You can add fruits of your choice to it. Appropriate for a one-year-old baby.
Multi-Grain Cereal
Multi-Grain Cereal is the best cereal for babies that combines different types of grains in it. These include one cup hand pound rice, half a cup foxtail millet, half a cup Kodo millet, half a cup moong dal, half a cup gram dal, half teaspoon dry ginger powder.
Dry roast all ingredients together except the dry ginger powder (roast it separately). Now let the mixture cool down. Grind it to make a fine powder. Now add the dried and powdered form of ginger to it. Add some water to prepare this multi-grain Cereal. This Cereal is suitable for a seven-month-old baby.
Lentil Cereal
This Cereal is a combination of various types of lentils in equal proportions. To prepare it, you will need to add one and a half cups of brown rice, one cup of urad dal, one cup of Green gram dal, one cup of Moong dal, one cup of Bhuna chana, one cup of Masoor dal, one cup of Dalia, half a cup of chana dal, and a half cup of Sabudana. Also, add half a cup of almonds and cashews, and cardamom powder.
Soak all ingredients in water overnight except the nuts and cardamom.
Dry roast grains of brown rice, Dalia, pulses, Sabudana, chana dal, corn, and nuts till they become crispy and golden brown. Grind all these ingredients to form a powder. Add warm milk to it and feed the baby. This Cereal is appropriate for an eight-month-old baby.
Wheat Cereal
Wheat Cereal is a homemade best wheat cereal made with3 tbsp Wheat flour, 200 ml water, one small-sized banana, and one-eighth teaspoon of Ghee.
Add water to the flour and prepare a paste. Cook it on low flame for a few minutes. It will start to become thick. Now remove the paste and add Ghee to it. Finally, add a mashed banana to it. This Cereal is appropriate for an eight-month-old baby.
Ragi Cereal
Ragi Cereal is a pure ragi cereal for babies made with only two ingredients, i.e., ragi and water. Since it’s the simplest of all to cook, homemade Ragi cereal is highly nutritious.
All you need is to wash and soak one-kilogram ragi cereal in water for around twelve hours. Please keep it in a clean cotton cloth to let it sprout. Once you see it growing, then leave it like this for six hours. Dry roast the mixture. Allow it to come to room temperature. Now grind it and make a fine powder. Sieve it. Now add a few teaspoons of it to boiling water and cook well. This Cereal is appropriate for a nine-month-old baby.
Sooji Cereal
Sooji or Semolina is another nutrient-dense and healthy solid food for your baby. It is made by dry roasting sooji. Now boil one cup of Sooji in three cups of water. Once it comes to a boil, please remove it from the flame. Let it cool down. Now add one pinch of elaichi and breastmilk in it. This Cereal is appropriate for a six-month-old baby.
Commonly Asked Questions about Cereal for babies
What cereals are suitable for babies?
Cereals made from barley, oats, ragi, and dals are very healthy and nutritious for your baby. These ingredients are soft and easy to digest for your baby. You can choose from any of the other homemade recipes to provide the necessary nutrition to your baby.
When can you start feeding a baby rice cereal?
Ideally, you should start giving baby cereal to your baby once she gets six months old because there is a requirement for more nutrition for the sound development of the baby. For babies who are below this age, breast milk is sufficient for their product.
Why is Cereal not suitable for babies?
It is not advised to introduce baby Cereal to the baby before six months of age. This is because your baby may not have the oral skills to move solid food through the tongue. Also, rice has a toxin named “arsenic” that can cause the baby’s short-term and long-term health issues.
Can you give a 3-month old baby cereal?
It is essential to wait until six months before you start giving Cereal to the baby. A three-month-old baby may not move solid food in her mouth from the front to the back. Oral skill develops in the baby when she becomes four months old.
