Making Homemade Oatmeal Cereal is one of the most rewarding and easiest ways to feed your new baby. And after doing it, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered buying it at the store.
When my son, Kenya, was a baby the first solid my pediatrician told me to feed him was rice cereal. Rice cereal is a natural first food choice for babies and is incredibly simple for parents to prepare. My husband and I were so excited for our son’s first day eating solid food to arrive that we set aside an entire Saturday morning to document every last second, from his first bite to the inevitable mess that would follow. I’m so glad the footage exists, though the images of that day are indelibly printed in my brain. His expressions tasting, moving the food around in his mouth, and finally swallowing were absolutely priceless.
Rice cereal became his daily meal and I researched to find the best brand to serve him. One day after opening a new box, I realized it was barely half full, just like every box I’d opened before. I thought to myself, why am I spending $4 for a box of rice cereal when I can easily make it homemade for pennies per serving? And so I did. Not only was it easy it do and much more affordable, it was my son’s first exposure to me cooking for him.
As Kenya progressed to eating a wider variety of foods, I started adding oatmeal cereal to his repertoire as well. It’s amazing to me how much more fresh homemade cereals taste compared to what is sold in stores for new eaters (not to mention how much less expensive they are). All you need to do is puree old fashioned oats in a blender or food processor and add water. It’s that simple.
So the next time you’re at the grocery and reach for that container of overpriced oatmeal cereal, remember that you probably already have the one ingredient you need to make it for your baby right in your pantry!
Homemade Oatmeal Cereal for Babies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (aka 5 minute oats)
Instructions
- Place oats in a food processor, pulse for 15 to 30 seconds or until finely ground.
- Store the oat powder in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer or in a cool dark place for up to 3 months.
- To make 1 serving for a 5-9 month old baby
- Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil and sprinkle in 2 tbsp of the ground oats and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, if desired.
- Whisk continuously for 30 seconds and then occasionally for 3-5 minutes or until the mixture is thick and creamy.*
I tried this today and my sweet boy had a complete fit bc the VERY FINE powdered oatmeal I made was still too thick when mixed in the bottle so I had to strain it with the mesh from his fruit feeder. Works fine with store bought baby oatmeal but stores are always out of the baby brand we like!
The iron in the store bought cereal is giving my baby girl fits. Hopefully I will be able to blend it fine enough for her liking.
Can I make this in the microwave?
Very nice food ,Learnt a lot
Very nice food ,Learnt a lot
Just about all baby/toddler permade food are sadly laced with arsenic and lead. Along with a lot of our every day food.
Shared this recipe in my Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Making Baby Food! I so wish I had found this when my baby was eating baby cereal.
http://www.chaoticlifeoflauren.com/2016/10/06/absolute-beginners-guide-to-making-baby-food/
Do I have too use a specific blender ??
Hi,
Can I stir in hot water to “cook” rolled oats powder then bottle feed ?
Steel Cut Oats should work if you grind them finely enough. You might need to add more liquid when cooking them, too.
Can I use steel oats with this? I tried it and it seemed very lumpy
Yummo
what is formula , is it milk powder… plz any one short my query
i am not getting about breast milk or formula……….
Infant formula, baby formula, or simply formula; or baby milk or infant milk, is a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age, usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder or liquid. I hope this in understanding baby formula 🙂
Formula is a breast milk substitute made from a special dried-milk powder. Most infant formula is made from cow’s milk, vitamins and minerals. Formula is mixed with cooled boiled water and fed to babies in a bottle or cup. The nutrients in formula support a baby’s growth during their first 6 months. Sorry had to make another replying explaining more about it. Also formula can be made with soy plant as well 🙂
good idea but way way too much cinnamon,
as adult i eat oatmeal every day but only use a sprinkle of cinnamon..
it’s good but can easily overpower
Please be careful adding cinnamon. 1/2 tsp is a lot and can burn your baby or cause anaphylaxis. No bueno.
Adding dry formula – great idea! Thanks!
I do this, but mix formula powder into the oat. (20%-50%) It’s still a lot cheaper than regular cereal. This fortifies the oats a bit with iron and other minerals the baby needs.
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I know this is meant for babies, but I wanted to let you know my 23 month old loved this! He’s got aversion to certain textures (we’re working with a feeding therapist to help him), so seeing him happily scarf this down was really rewarding. Thank you!
Hello ! What brand of oats did you use?
I had the same problem with the oatmeal being grainy. My baby was gagging on it and didn’t seem to keep it down. She is 6 1/2 months. Any suggestions to make it smoother? The powder was extremely fine but when cooked turned out very grainy.
Hi , I’ve just made he oatmeal and it is still grainy. Should I strain it ?
Coffee grinder seems to make a nice powder
You can use water, breast milk or formula to thin this to the desired consistency.
If I want to thin this out to put into a bottle, would adding water be sufficient? As opposed to breastmilk or prepared formula? Seems like it would be, simply because the formula uses water, but I’d like to hear what others might have to say.
whatever you do, stay away from rice cereals, which are laced with arsenic!
No, it does not have enough iron. I also have not been able to find oats with anywhere near as much iron as the infant cereals. I wish I could. Oatmeal cereal is the only baby food that I buy. I love making my own.
But does this homemade cereal have enough iron in it? It’s my understanding that there are 2 main reasons to start solids: developmental and iron supplement. I have not been able to find oats that are iron fortified like infant cereal. Yes, oats have iron but not enough.
The oat powder can be stored for up to three months, meaning you should use them within three months of grinding them into a powder. It’s not saying that they have to sit for three months before using them. 😉
My little one will be 6 months this month and I look forward to making this. Is it necessary for the oats to sit for 3 months before cooking?
Yes. That’s how you cook the cereal.
Do you have to boil the water?
Those would work, but you might need to cook it longer and it will probably come out thicker!
We use a lot of steel cut oats would those work instead of the rolled oats?
Hi,
I am writing blog on all baby related checklists and one section of my blog is on all baby food recipes. I am going to host recipes from other food blogs on my blog. Your blog is like the ‘Master Blog’ of baby food recipes and I would like to have your permission to repost your recipes or link them up on my blog.
Thanks,
Sameera
Okay I don’t know what I’m doing wrong here. I doubled the recipe bc my baby usually eats about 4 T of the boxed cereal. So I boiled 1 c. water and added 4 T. of the oatmeal, but it was very very liquidy, and never really absorbed the liquid. If I am making more oatmeal should I not add more water?