Is oatmeal better than rice cereal for babies?

Because of the possible arsenic exposure with rice cereal, experts believe oatmeal is the safer choice. It's also wheat-free, so won't irritate your baby's stomach if she is sensitive or allergic to gluten.

Can you skip rice cereal and go straight to oatmeal?

You can skip the white rice cereal.

Try whole grain baby cereals like oatmeal, barley, or brown rice cereal, which are also fortified with iron. Just start with single-grain cereals so that you know the culprit if your baby has an allergic reaction (see #4).

Which cereal is healthiest for babies?

Final Verdict. Happy Baby Oatmeal is our best overall pick for baby cereal. With just three ingredients—oatmeal, vitamin C, and iron—your baby is getting only what you want them to have. It takes the pick for simplicity, whole ingredients and fortification.

Should I feed my baby oatmeal cereal?

Infants can start eating baby oatmeal cereal as early as 4 months old. Although it's recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to start introducing solid foods at 6 months, there are a few indicators that prove infants might be ready for baby oatmeal cereal a few months earlier.

Is oatmeal cereal better than rice cereal for constipation?

Since oatmeal cereal is rich in fiber, it aids in proper digestion unlike rice cereal, which may cause constipation in some babies. One advantage of rice cereal, though, is that it has very minimal adverse effects, meaning it seldom causes allergic reactions.

3 Good Reasons To Skip Rice Cereal | Rice Cereal Arsenic

Why is rice cereal not good for babies?

It can be poisonous. In high doses it is lethal, but even small amounts can damage the brain, nerves, blood vessels, or skin — and increase the risk of birth defects and cancer. The CPSC report said that babies who eat two servings of rice cereal a day could double their lifetime cancer risk.

Can oatmeal cereal hurt baby's tummy?

In infants and children, a reaction to oats can cause food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). This condition affects the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause vomiting, dehydration, diarrhea, and poor growth.

What can I give my baby instead of rice cereal?

What cereal should I introduce first?

Previously, the recommendation was to start rice or oatmeal cereal around four months. But now, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents start solid foods around six months of age, when a child meets developmental milestones.

Does oatmeal cereal cause constipation in babies?

The food you give your baby can make it harder for them to poop. Dr. Morton tells parents to know their ABCs—applesauce, bananas, and cereal. Too much of any of these, especially cereal, can cause constipation.

Does Gerber oatmeal have arsenic?

Still Too Much Arsenic

CR tested three samples from different lots of the rice cereals offered by each company. Inorganic arsenic levels in Earth's Best Organic Infant Rice Cereal averaged 66.4 ppb. Gerber's Single-Grain Rice Baby Cereal averaged 62.9 ppb and its Organic Single-Grain Rice Baby Cereal averaged 61.1 ppb.

Is baby cereal necessary?

Baby Cereal Provides Much-Needed Iron

Just two 1/4-cup servings of iron-fortified infant cereal (oatmeal, rice, barley, or mixed grains) deliver most of your baby's daily iron needs. Infant cereal also provides other nutrients, such as zinc, calcium, and vitamins B, C, and E.

How long should babies eat rice cereal?

Follow the “six-month” rule. Don't feed your baby rice cereal—or any other solid food—prior to six months of age. Babies should be exclusively breastfed or given formula (or a combination of breast milk and formula) for the first six months of life.

When should babies stop eating baby cereal?

When Do Babies Stop Formula? After your baby has been eating Gerber cereal and pureed foods for about 4 months, your baby is ready for the next step, which is table foods.

How do you skip rice cereal?

Skip the white rice cereal. Start with an avocado, a banana, or a sweet potato (cooked until soft). Let your baby see, handle, and smell the food first. Mash some up.

How do I start my baby on oatmeal first?

Start by serving one or two teaspoons. Once your baby gets the hang of swallowing runny cereal, mix it with less liquid and gradually increase the serving sizes. Offer a variety of single-grain cereals such as rice, oatmeal or barley.

What is the safest baby oatmeal?

Great alternatives are oats, barley, and other mixed whole grains. The baby cereal winner with the lowest overall Arsenic, Lead and Cadmium levels is the HappyBABY Oatmeal Baby Cereal, Organic Whole Grains.

How much oatmeal should a 4 month old eat?

4 to 6 months:

1 to 4 tablespoons of cereal once or twice a day.

Can you start baby on oatmeal instead of rice cereal?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends oatmeal cereal for babies with acid reflux. Because of the possible arsenic exposure with rice cereal, experts believe oatmeal is the safer choice. It's also wheat-free, so won't irritate your baby's stomach if she is sensitive or allergic to gluten.

Does baby oatmeal make baby gassy?

Oat allergies can be very serious, especially in babies.

Some oatmeal cereals may also contain ingredients like soy, which a baby's stomach and digestive system may not yet be mature enough to handle. This can lead to gas or a tummy ache.

What baby food should I introduce first?

Solid foods may be introduced in any order. However, puréed meats, poultry, beans and iron-fortified cereals are recommended as first foods, especially if your baby has been primarily breastfed, since they provide key nutrients. Only one new single-ingredient food should be introduced at a time.

Is rice necessary for baby?

However, NHS guidance states that “babies do not need baby rice to help them move to solid foods or sleep better.” So, whilst there's certainly nothing wrong with offering baby rice first, it's not a necessary first step when weaning and means that you don't need to buy an additional food that only your baby will eat.

How many times a day should I feed my baby rice cereal?

When your little one is just starting on solids, spoon-feed your baby a small amount of infant cereal once or twice a day, ideally just after he's been bottle-fed or breastfed. Start with one or two teaspoons of cereal so that your baby can get accustomed to this new food.

How much oatmeal should I give my 6 month old?

A 6 month old baby can start with 3-4 tablespoons a day. Once your baby is older and seems to want more, you can double or triple the amount.

How many times a day should I feed solids to my 6 month old?

At 6 months, your baby will still be getting most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula. Start to introduce solid foods around 6 months of age (not before 4 months). Your baby will take only small amounts of solid foods at first. Start feeding your baby solids once a day, building to 2 or 3 times a day.