Porridge, or oatmeal cereal, is a classic British recipe. In Scotland people eat it their whole lives: from babyhood to adulthood, porridge for breakfast is a common habit!
Don’t hesitate to introduce your baby to the taste of oats from an early age. This cereal is rich in protein and fiber and is an excellent source of manganese and phosphorus, the latter being important for building bones and teeth.
Oats are also naturally gluten-free, so you can give them to your baby if they have an intolerance or celiac disease. Just make sure that, when you buy rolled oats or oat flour, the package says it is free from gluten contamination or suitable for people with celiac disease.
How to make oatmeal porridge for babies
- Cook the rolled oats with a glass and a half of water in a saucepan for 10 minutes (or as long as the package says). Stir from time to time.
- Once the oats are cooked and the mixture has thickened, pour them into the blender jar, add the breast milk and blend well until you get a smooth texture.
- If your baby handles textures well or you want to get them used to little pieces, there’s no need to blend it.
- Transfer the porridge to a bowl and wait until it’s lukewarm. Now you can serve it to your baby!
Tips and tricks for oatmeal porridge
- Rolled oats are already lightly toasted and steamed. If you buy oat flour instead, you’ll need to toast it over low heat for a couple of minutes in a skillet. You can also grind rolled oats in a grinder to turn them into flour.
- It’s a great breakfast for babies, and if your baby is over 10 months old you can make it with whole milk. You can also use whole-grain rolled oats if you want extra fiber.
- Don’t buy instant oats, as they usually have added sugars.
- If you have any other questions, check the FAQ about homemade baby cereals
