Baby’s First Foods – Cereals

As promised here's my first post on First Foods/Purees for babies. This is suitable from 4-6 months and onwards. These are the  basic cereals I've been feeding Chackochi along with the occasional Farex or Cerelac. I now mix fruits to these cereals as well like apples, pears, bananas etc. I'll put up the recipes for the combos I do as well soon.

* Please keep in mind that I’m not a baby food expert or baby nutrition specialist in any way- these are just the foods that Chackochi likes and an inexpensive list of combos. Always check with your doctor regarding the best method for feeding your baby. For now, I'm pureeing most of Chackochi's food and he loves it.

Brown Rice Cereal

1/4 cup brown rice powder

1 cup water

a little formula/breast milk

1. To make the rice powder, grind brown rice in a blender or food processor. Do it in small quantities to get the powder as smooth as you can.

2. Bring the water to a boil.

3. Add the rice powder, stirring constantly with a whisk so you don't get any lumps.

4. Reduce the heat to very low and simmer gently for about 10 minutes (don't forget to keep stirring, or the rice will stick).

4. Then stir in enough formula or breast milk to give the consistency that's best for your baby.

Oatmeal Cereal

1/4 cup ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor to fine powder

3/4 cup water

A little formula/breast milk

1. Bring water to boil in saucepan. 

2. Add the ground oats while stirring constantly. 

3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired

4. Serve warm.

Notes
In the beginning, your goal is not to fill up your baby’s stomach. This is a learning experience for both of you, so begin with a tiny amount and see how he reacts. Your goal is to expose him to new tastes and textures, not to substitute an inferior food (cereal, for example) for a superior food (breast milk). Remember that if he is ravenously hungry, he won’t be in the mood to try anything new. Offer solids after nursing, kind of like dessert. Usually the best times are in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Follow your baby’s lead and gradually increase the amounts offered.