Feeding Quaker Oatmeal to Babies | Full Oatmeal Guide (+ Recipes)

So for months now your little one has been feeding solely on breast milk or formula (perhaps both), and it’s getting to the stage where they may be ready for pureed baby food or baby-led weaning.

With this in mind, where does something like oatmeal fit into this?

When can babies eat Quaker oatmeal? It’s appropriate for babies to eat Quaker Oatmeal at around 6 to 8 months of age when they normally begin to make the transition to solid foods. Coarse and textured oats like Quaker must be blended to a finer consistency first to promote easier swallowing.

Oatmeal is a fantastic food to include in your little one’s diet.

As adults, we know how bland it can be on its own though, so don’t be afraid to try different baby oatmeal recipes and added homemade touches to keep things interesting!

We’ll include some recipes and topping ideas plus all you need to know about preparing oatmeal, side effects in babies, and more.

Oatmeal for Babies – What To Know

Whether instant, regular, or specially made for infants, oatmeal in all its forms is technically super healthy and beneficial for your baby.

The key difference is that normal adult oatmeal cereal is highly texturized, so it’s important to know how to prepare this cereal for your little one.

Benefits of Oats for Babies

Oats are loaded with fiber and nutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium, which all contribute to healthy bone development, brain functioning, and overall growth.

Its soft consistency makes oatmeal a great transition to solid foods too since it can be combined with mashable solids like bananas and other soft fruits and veggies.

As a single-grain food, oats are also gentle on your baby’s digestion and help promote fullness.

Side Effects of Oats for Babies

Some common side effects of babies consuming oats are things like bloating or a tummy ache due to excess gas, excitability, increased energy, and mild allergic reactions.

If your little one cries or spits up after being fed oatmeal, there’s a chance they may be allergic to oats.

To be sure, keep a look out for the following symptoms, and consult your pediatrician if any of these signs are persistent around oatmeal feeds:

• Blotchy/itchy areas of skin
• Red, irritated spots on skin
• A rash in or around baby’s mouth
• A consistently runny/congested nose
• Itchy or irritated eyes
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Difficulty breathing

Baby Oatmeal vs. Regular Oatmeal

Baby oatmeal is essentially regular oatmeal that has been pre-cooked, ground down, and reconstituted with boiling water to make a more finely textured oatmeal.

The nutritional value remains the same, just with a thinner, more manageable consistency for developing mouths and digestive tracts.

When Can Baby Have Oatmeal Cereal?

Your baby can be introduced to oatmeal cereal around 6 months old as this is typically when they’re ready to move on to solids.

All babies develop differently though, so regardless of age, check if they are showing signs of being ready for solid foods.

Does Oatmeal Cause Constipation in Babies?

As your baby’s digestive system is still in development, any cereal can cause constipation.

Fiber-rich oatmeal is generally good for constipation as the release of good gut bacteria from the oats acts as a laxative, influencing the weight of stools to make movements easier to pass.

How To Make Baby Oatmeal Cereal

1. Using regular store-bought baby oatmeal cereal, measure 1 tablespoon of the cereal, and mix with 4-5 tablespoons of either breast milk or formula.
2. Stir in optional flavorings like banana puree or apple sauce. Serve up!

Homemade Baby Oatmeal Cereal

1. Heat breast milk or liquid formula over medium heat on the stove. While waiting for the milk to heat, add some old-fashioned rolled oats to a blender, and grind them to a flour-like consistency before stirring them into the heated milk.
2. Stir the oats in well, and add in any extra ingredients like pureed fruit and vegetables. Store-bought oats are usually fortified with iron, so adding in extra toppings like mashed cooked sweet potato or finely grated raw zucchini is a great way to get nutrients in – these toppings are recommended for babies 9 months and older as they’re practiced in solids and different textures.
3. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.

When To Stop Feeding Baby Cereal

Oat cereal is good for your baby, so the consensus among moms is to continue feeding them cereal until they no longer have a taste for it.

When Can Babies Have Regular Oatmeal?

Once your baby can chew and cope with chunkier textures (normally between 9 and 12 months), then regular rolled oats oatmeal can be served safely to them without needing to grind the flakes in a food processor.

Just take care to choose regular oatmeal products with no added sweeteners.

Organic Oatmeal for Babies

There are many great brands of organic oatmeal to try, or you can easily make organic oatmeal for your little one at home by using certified-organic rolled oats and blending them as instructed above before stirring in hot water/breast milk.

Instant Oatmeal for Babies

• Place ½ cup of dry instant oats into a heat-proof baby bowl
• Boil some water, and pour it into the bowl of oats to reach desired consistency, stirring well to combine.
• Allow the oatmeal to sit for 10 minutes before stirring in about 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of breast milk or formula
• Pre-load your baby’s spoon to encourage self-feeding. Place it either in the bowl or next to it.

You can keep this instant oatmeal mix in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the coldest part of the fridge.

How To Prepare Quaker Oats for Babies

1. Simply place ½ cup of Quaker Oats in a blender and grind into a fine flour-like consistency.
2. Then gently heat some water in a pan, and mix 1 to 2 cups of the hot water with the blended oats in a heat-proof baby bowl.
3. Stir the mix well to remove any clumps, and add in a little breast milk or formula.

You can also prepare Quakers Oats for your baby in the microwave by placing the oat and water mixture in a microwave-safe bowl/container for 2 minutes, stopping to stir every 30 seconds.

Best Oats for Baby

Mom and clinical nutritionist Swati Patel names steel-cut oatmeal as the best kind for babies as these are whole grain oats with all of the nutritional value but “cut into small bits with powerful steel blades, making them cook faster.”

Look for steel-cut oats with no added salt, sugar, or flavoring.

Oatmeal Recipes for Babies

Now that you know how to make a basic hearty bowl of oatmeal for your munchkin, why not try out one of these delicious and super-healthy recipes?

Apple Oatmeal

Ingredients:

• ½ cup organic rolled oats
• 1 cup water
• 1 small apple (grated)
• ¼ cup breast or plant milk
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Bring the rolled oats and water to a boil.
2. Add apple gratings to the boiling oatmeal.
3. Add the cinnamon and cook for 3-5 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from the heat and allow the oatmeal to cool before blending for a thinner consistency.

Oat & Prune Porridge

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup organic rolled oats
• ¾ cup filtered water
• 3-4 pitted dried prunes (diced)

Directions:

1. Place the rolled oats, water, and diced prunes into a saucepan, and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce to low heat, and cook for 3-4 mins, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from heat, and cover with a lid for 5-10 minutes to cool.
4. After cooling, serve to babies 8 months and older, or for babies 6-8 months, blend the cooled mixture into a soup-like consistency.

Healthy Oatmeal Toppings

• Apple
• Banana
• Pear
• Apricot
• Peach
• Prune
• Coconut flakes
• Honey
• Chia seeds
• Nectarine
• Mango
• Melon
• Hard-boiled egg
• Finely-chopped walnut/cashews
• Kiwi
• Berries
• Peanut butter
• Chopped sunflower/flax seeds

Related Questions:

How Much Oatmeal Cereal for 4-Month-Old?

According to Marygrace Taylor of What To Expect, a good rule of thumb for babies aged 4-6 months old is to offer them 1 to 4 tablespoons of oatmeal cereal once or twice a day.

This provides a sufficient amount of nutrients at this age, and you can choose to feed them double this portion (if they want it) as they grow older.

Is Oatmeal Cereal Better Than Rice Cereal?

Both cereals carry many benefits. However, due to concerns over rice cereal containing higher levels of arsenic, oatmeal is considered a safer choice.

Oatmeal also has a higher nutritional content than rice cereal, which is comparatively bland, and the former is made without wheat, making it suitable for babies with gluten allergies and stomach sensitivities.

Conclusion

In summary, Quaker oatmeal is fine for babies to eat as it’s rich in iron and beneficial vitamins, but it should only be offered to babies above 6 months old once they are ready to try solids.

The best type of oats specifically for baby oatmeal is steel-cut oats as these are cut finer and cook quicker than other types.

As long as the oats are prepared suitably for your little one (blended beforehand for a smoother consistency), most types from rolled and steel-cut to instant Quaker oats can make a safe and nutritious meal for little tummies!