How to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby

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If you're introducing your baby to solids, oatmeal cereal is a popular choice. This mild cereal is easy on your baby's tummy and it's simple to mix . To make homemade oatmeal cereal, grind oats and cook them in simmering water until they're soft. If you're short on time, buy a box of infant oatmeal cereal and reconstitute it with breastmilk or formula. Customize your oatmeal cereal with pureed fruits or vegetables and enjoy mealtime with your baby!

Ingredients

Homemade Oatmeal Cereal

  • 1/4 cup (22 g) of oats
  • 1 cup (240 ml) of water
  • Breastmilk or formula, for thinning the cereal
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) of pureed fruit or vegetables, optional

Makes about 1/2 cup (30 g) of cereal

Storebought Oatmeal Cereal

  • 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of oatmeal cereal
  • 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of breastmilk or formula

Makes 1 serving

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making Homemade Oatmeal Cereal

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  1. Pour the water into a small saucepan and turn the burner to high. Heat the water until it begins to boil vigorously. [1]
    • Although you can use formula or breastmilk to thin the cereal later, avoid using it to cook the cereal.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby
    While you wait for the water to boil, grind the oats. Put the lid on the food processor and use the pulse button to grind the oats until they're fine and powdery. If you don't have a food processor, grind the oats in a blender. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby
    Keep stirring until the oats dissolve. Use your spoon to break up any lumps of ground oats that you see floating in the water. Take care not to splash any boiling water out of the pan as you stir. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby
    Adjust the burner so the water bubbles gently and stir the cereal every few minutes as it cooks. This will prevent lumps from forming. [4]
    • If you prefer, use whisk instead of a spoon.
  5. Once the oats have absorbed most of the water, turn off the burner and let the cereal cool for 15 to 20 minutes or until it's at room temperature. [5] Then, serve the cereal or store it to use later. [6]
    • If you don't serve the cereal right away, cover it and put it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

    Tip: Since the cereal thickens as it's stored, dilute it with breastmilk or formula before you serve it to your baby.

  6. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby
    If your baby has already tried a pureed fruit or vegetable, stir a little of it into the cereal. This will add nutrition and flavor. The puree also thins the cereal a little. Try mixing in 1 of the following: [7]
    • Applesauce
    • Mashed bananas
    • Pureed carrots
    • Pear sauce
    • Pureed sweet potatoes

    Warning: Avoid sweetening the oatmeal cereal with honey if your baby is under 1 year old because of the risk of botulism.

  7. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby
    Most babies prefer runny foods when they're learning to eat, so scoop a little of the oatmeal cereal into a baby bowl and mix in 3 to 5 tablespoons (44 to 74 ml) of breastmilk or formula. [8] Stir until the cereal is as thin as you like and offer your baby a spoonful. [9]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Mixing Storebought Oatmeal Cereal

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  1. If this is your baby's first cereal feeding, measure the cereal into a small microwave-safe bowl. If you're feeding an older baby who's already eating food, double or triple the amount.
    • Keep in mind that you'll have to discard the uneaten cereal since dipping your baby's spoon into it introduces bacteria.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Prepare Oatmeal Cereal for a Baby
    Use whichever liquid your baby is already used to so they'll enjoy the taste of the oatmeal cereal. If you don't have breastmilk or formula, substitute fresh, clean water. [11]
    • Avoid adding cow's milk to the cereal until your baby is at least 1 year old.
  3. Keep stirring until the oatmeal cereal dissolves in the liquid. If there are still lumps or pockets of dry cereal, stir in another 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid.
    • Younger babies enjoy thin, runny cereal while babies closer to 1 year old can eat thick oatmeal cereal.
  4. Scoop a little of the cereal on a baby spoon and offer it to your baby. If your baby gags, thin the cereal with more liquid. If you think your baby isn't eating the cereal because it's cold, put it into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it at 50% power for 15 seconds. Then, stir the cereal again and ensure that it's not too hot for your baby. [12]
    • Always check the temperature of your baby's food before you feed them.

    Tip: If you made the cereal using breastmilk, avoid heating it in the microwave because the microwave destroys nutrients in the breastmilk. Instead, warm a bag of breastmilk in warm water before you stir it into the cereal.

  5. Unfortunately, you can't save leftover baby cereal because harmful bacteria can grow in it. Throw away the cereal your baby didn't eat and mix together a fresh bowl of cereal when your baby is ready for their next solid meal. [13]
    • Babies between 4 and 6 months old usually eat between 1 to 2 tablespoons (2.5 to 5 g) of prepared oatmeal cereal a day. Infants between 6 and 12 months old generally eat between 2 and 4 tablespoons (5 to 10 g) of prepared oatmeal cereal a day.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I put oatmeal in my 1 month old's bottle?
    Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N
    Registered Dietitian
    Monica Moreno is a Registered Dietitian and the Founder, Owner, and Lead Dietitian at Essence Nutrition in Miami, Florida. Monica specializes in nutrition consulting and school and corporate wellness programs. She holds a BA from The University of Florida and an MS in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University. Monica was the dietitian for the Miami Marlins for close to 5 years, and she is currently visiting dietitian specialist at Ocean Reef Resort and Club. Monica is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetics Practice Group, Integrative Nutrition Dietetics Practice Group, Collegiate and Professionals Sports Dietitians Association, and Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group. She was awarded the 2020 Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Business Woman in Healthcare of the Year award.
    Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N
    Registered Dietitian
    Expert Answer
    That's not a great idea. Instead, pour the oatmeal into a plate or bowl and scoop it up with a spoon or your finger. Then, give your little one a chance to smell and play with their food.
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  • Question
    What can I mix with baby oatmeal?
    Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N
    Registered Dietitian
    Monica Moreno is a Registered Dietitian and the Founder, Owner, and Lead Dietitian at Essence Nutrition in Miami, Florida. Monica specializes in nutrition consulting and school and corporate wellness programs. She holds a BA from The University of Florida and an MS in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University. Monica was the dietitian for the Miami Marlins for close to 5 years, and she is currently visiting dietitian specialist at Ocean Reef Resort and Club. Monica is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetics Practice Group, Integrative Nutrition Dietetics Practice Group, Collegiate and Professionals Sports Dietitians Association, and Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group. She was awarded the 2020 Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Business Woman in Healthcare of the Year award.
    Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N
    Registered Dietitian
    Expert Answer
    Add in some cinnamon! Babies are allowed to have spices, so cinnamon is a great potential ingredient.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Can I give Quaker oats to my baby?
    Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N
    Registered Dietitian
    Monica Moreno is a Registered Dietitian and the Founder, Owner, and Lead Dietitian at Essence Nutrition in Miami, Florida. Monica specializes in nutrition consulting and school and corporate wellness programs. She holds a BA from The University of Florida and an MS in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University. Monica was the dietitian for the Miami Marlins for close to 5 years, and she is currently visiting dietitian specialist at Ocean Reef Resort and Club. Monica is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetics Practice Group, Integrative Nutrition Dietetics Practice Group, Collegiate and Professionals Sports Dietitians Association, and Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group. She was awarded the 2020 Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Business Woman in Healthcare of the Year award.
    Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N
    Registered Dietitian
    Expert Answer
    It's not a great idea to give your baby raw oats. Instead, prepare the oatmeal with formula or breastmilk. Once the baby is at least 1 year old, you can make the oatmeal with cow's milk.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • Stop feeding your baby oatmeal cereal if you see signs of an allergy and contact your baby's pediatrician. These signs include rash, hives, swollen tongue or lips, trouble breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea. [14]
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      Making Homemade Oatmeal Cereal

      • Food processor or blender
      • Measuring cups
      • Small saucepan
      • Spoon or whisk

      Mixing Storebought Oatmeal Cereal

      • Microwave-safe bowl
      • Measuring spoon
      • Baby spoon

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      References

      1. ↑ https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/combos.htm
      2. ↑ https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/combos.htm
      3. ↑ https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/combos.htm
      4. ↑ https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/oatmealbabyfoodrecipes.htm
      5. ↑ Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N. Registered Dietitian. Expert Interview. 4 August 2021.
      6. ↑ https://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/combos.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/foods-to-avoid-giving-babies-and-young-children/
      8. ↑ Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N. Registered Dietitian. Expert Interview. 4 August 2021.
      9. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20046200
      1. ↑ Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N. Registered Dietitian. Expert Interview. 4 August 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20046200
      3. ↑ https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/once-baby-arrives-food-safety-moms-be
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9693-feeding-your-baby-the-first-year
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20046200

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      You can make easy oatmeal for your baby using a couple of simple ingredients and some breastmilk or formula. First, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. While the water is heating up, grind 1/4 cup of oats to a powder in a blender or food processor. Then, stir the ground oats into the boiling water until they dissolve. Turn the heat down to medium and let the oats simmer for 10 minutes. Now turn the heat off and let the oatmeal cool to room temperature. You can mix in 1 teaspoon of pureed fruit or vegetable to give the oatmeal more flavor and nutrition if you'd like. Finally, stir in 3-5 tablespoons of breastmilk or formula to thin the oatmeal so it's easier for your baby to eat. To learn how to prepare baby oatmeal using store-bought oatmeal, scroll down!

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