At What Age Can I Give My Baby Oats? (2024)

Theintroduction of oats and solid foods is an important milestone in your baby’s life. You don’t want to introduce them too soon, or you risk them developing food sensitivities, watery stools and discomfort. You should also avoid giving your baby any solid foods until they are between four and six months old. This is when their nutritional needs start to change. They need more iron, fiber and protein in their diet.

Signs of First Food Readiness

Once your baby is old enough to start eating solids, pay attention to their developmental milestones. Cues you should watch for that indicate they may be ready for oats and solid foods include:

  • Able to move his/her tongue back and forth when touched by a spoon
  • Raise and turn his or her head right and left
  • Push and hold his/her self up while on their tummy
  • Sit with little support

You may feel tempted to start feeding your child different kinds of foods, but you should take a much slower approach to the process. Oatmeal is a very nutritious first food for babies because it is high in fiber, iron, protein and antioxidant properties. It promotes healthy skin, hair and digestion. It also helps to boost heart health, energy levels and regulate blood sugar.

How to Feed Your Baby Oats

When giving your baby oats, make sure they are the right consistency. Since your baby is just starting on solids, you should prepare them so they are a thin consistency. You can use less milk and water to thicken it up as they get older. Feed them a little at a time. Watch your child closely to see how they like it. Pay attention to your child’s stools. If your child develops diarrhea, you should inform their doctor and hold off on solid foods for a short while longer.

Once your baby starts eating oats, he or she will be ready to enjoy a variety of solid foods shortly.Contact us to learn which Amara Organic Foods are best suited for your child’s age.

At What Age Can I Give My Baby Oats? (2024)

FAQs

At What Age Can I Give My Baby Oats? ›

Around age six months, it's time for the fun of feeding babies to begin. 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.

When can I introduce oats to my baby? ›

Oats may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Oats are commonly cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains, rendering them no longer gluten-free, so those with celiac disease should take care and buy certified gluten-free oats.

Can I feed my 4 month old baby oatmeal? ›

The introduction of oats and solid foods is an important milestone in your baby's life. You don't want to introduce them too soon, or you risk them developing food sensitivities, watery stools and discomfort. You should also avoid giving your baby any solid foods until they are between four and six months old.

Can I give Quaker oats to my 6 month old baby? ›

It is recommended for babies to start solid foods when they reach six months of age. Oats are a single grain food that are easy on your baby's digestive system. They help promote fullness and a healthy appetite while preventing gas. Many babies tend to experience constipation when they start new foods.

Which oats are best for a 7 month old baby? ›

For your 7-month-old, rolled oats are the safest and easiest choice! They're pre-cooked and soft, reducing choking risk. Steel-cut, while nutritious, require longer cooking and chunkier textures best for older babies. Instant oats can have added sugars, so look for plain varieties.

How early can you put oatmeal in formula? ›

Feeding Your Baby the First 12 Months
Foods/Age0-4 Months4-6 Months
Grains, breads and cerealsNONEIron-fortified infant cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley). Mix 2-3 teaspoons with formula or breast milk. Feed with spoon.
Fruit juicesNONEInfant juice. NO OJ or tomato. ONLY 2-4 ounces/day.
VegetablesNONENONE
FruitsNONENONE
2 more rows

What is the first food to give a baby? ›

Most babies' first food is iron-fortified infant single-grain cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Place the spoon near your baby's lips, and let the baby smell and taste it.

Which infant cereal to start with? ›

Offer different single, whole-grain cereals such as brown rice, oatmeal or barley. Don't feed your baby only rice cereal because rice can have arsenic in it. For that reason, don't give your baby brown rice syrup or rice milk.

How much should a 5 month old be eating? ›

They also nap for three to five hours a day, spaced between two or three naps. Breastfed babies should get 24 to 32 ounces of breast milk a day spread out over about five or six feeds. Formula-fed babies should have 24 to 32 ounces of formula in about five feeds.

What age can you give Gerber oats? ›

Baby cereals mixed grains with barley | GERBER Oatmeal Baby Cereal | (Add Water) Introduce new flavours and textures to baby as they grow with the next stage of GERBER cereals! Baby cereals are nutritious, delicious and easy to mix with purées for more flavour and nutrition. Appropriate for infants 6 months and up.

Does oatmeal help baby sleep? ›

However, research doesn't support a significant connection between beginning solids and babies sleeping through the night. Adding cereal to a bottle, beginning solids before a baby is ready, or stuffing them full of food is NOT the solution to long, restful nights.

Is baby oatmeal safe? ›

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to offer infant cereal grains like oatmeal, barley and multigrain.

Can a 7 month old eat regular oatmeal? ›

The answer is both are fine from 6+ months! Oatmeal contains high amounts of fiber, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Feeding it to baby is a great way to expose them to a variety of textures, especially if you offer different consistencies of oatmeal.

Are babies sensitive to oats? ›

Oat allergy is not common but can occur in infants, children, and adults. An allergy to oats might result in symptoms ranging from mild to severe, such as: blotchy, irritated, itchy skin. rash or skin irritation on and in the mouth.

What food can you introduce at 4 months? ›

Most babies' first food is iron-fortified infant single-grain cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Place the spoon near your baby's lips, and let the baby smell and taste it. Don't be surprised if this first spoonful is rejected.

How to know if baby is allergic to oatmeal cereal? ›

Immediate allergic reaction

an itchy rash around the tongue, mouth, or eyes, which can spread to other parts of the body. mild swelling of the lips, eyes, or face. an itchy throat and mouth.

Is oatmeal or rice better for babies? ›

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.

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