Baby Cereal

Pictured: homemade wheat cereal mixed with pureed apple. 

You can make your own baby cereal!  Things to know:

Homemade Baby Cereal

• must be cooked (5-10 min preparation)
• should be supplemented with some store-bought cereal or plenty of iron-rich foods like avocado or liver (if your child is iron deficient, you should regularly use store-bought cereal)
• rich in fiber and nutrients when made with whole grain
• can be refrigerated or frozen once cooked, but consistency will change

Store-bought Baby Cereal

• can be sprinkled into baby foods as a thickener (without being cooked)
• is fortified with iron
• has less naturally occurring nutrients than fresh whole grain

Rice Cereal
Original recipe from Momastic's Wholesome Baby Food.  Has a long shelf life in powdered from (when sealed in a container) and can be frozen after cooking.

Stage 1: 6 months.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 c rice powder (brown rice ground in blender)
• 1 c water

Directions:

1. Boil water.  Whisk in rice and continue whisking until desired consistency.  Remove from heat and cool.
2. Serve alone, or mix with other familiar foods.

Oat Cereal

Original recipe from Homemade Baby Food Recipes.  Has a long shelf life in powdered from (when sealed in a container) and can be frozen after cooking.

Stage 1: 6 months.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 c oat powder (old fashioned oats ground in blender)
• 3/4 c water

Directions:

1. Boil water.  Whisk in oats and continue whisking until desired consistency.  Remove from heat and cool. 
2. Serve alone, or mix with other familiar foods.

More info Homemade Baby Food and Wholesome Baby Food.

Wheat Cereal

Stage 2: 6-9 months.

Ingredients:

• 1 c water
• 1/4 c whole wheat kernels (1/3 c ground)

Directions:

1. In a small pot over high heat, bring water to a boil.  Grind wheat kernels to fine flour using a grain mill or blender.  
2. Turn off heat. Whisk in wheat and continue whisking until desired consistency.  Cool to lukewarm.
3. Serve alone, or mix with other familiar foods.