We all know that until 6 months old, babies feed exclusively on breast milk and that after this period, other types of foods begin to be gradually introduced into their diet1. And one of the foods that raises the most questions is baby porridge. At what age can it be introduced into a baby’s diet? Is it better to make homemade porridge or buy ready-made options? Are there any recipes that could be harmful to the baby?

All these questions are valid and are shared by many people. That’s why today we’ll discuss not only the different types of baby porridge, but also the effects of these foods on infants and what is the best way to offer them to your baby.

Homemade or Ready-Made Porridge?

To many, this question might seem rather obvious, but it’s important to understand exactly why homemade porridge is better for your baby than industrially-produced porridge. Firstly, consider the issue of preservatives and the entire food industrialization process, which causes foods to lose a lot of nutrients.

Another very common problem with processed foods is the type of ingredients used in the recipes. Normally, to extend shelf life, many porridge recipes contain ingredients like flour, which can lead to excess carbohydrates for the baby2.

In other words, this kind of product will not properly nourish your child and the best recommendation is to avoid not only processed porridges but any kind of industrialized food as much as possible. Homemade porridge is undoubtedly more nutritious, and on top of that, you can easily vary the recipes.

At What Age Should You Start Giving Porridge to a Baby?

As we mentioned earlier, up to 6 months of age, a baby’s diet should be exclusively breast milk. However, after this, some other foods can start to be introduced little by little into the baby’s diet.

Porridge can be an option for a morning or afternoon snack, but it’s important to highlight that it alone will not fully nourish your baby, that is, it does not replace a meal.
Ideally, porridge should be used occasionally as an alternative snack or even for breakfast for the baby. It can be nutritious and tasty, but its consistency does not help the baby develop the chewing motor skills that are important at this stage, if consumed frequently.

Is Thickener in the Bottle Good?

Another common question among mothers concerns the use of thickeners in the bottle. It is often said that they keep the baby better nourished and make the baby feel full for longer. But is this really true?

Actually, thickening the milk does not mean your baby will be better nourished or that they will get more nutrients. In fact, thickeners usually contain sugar, which can end up being harmful, since sugar is not only addictive but can also disrupt your baby’s eating habits. Therefore, it is most recommended to offer formula milk in the bottle to your baby.

Thickeners are usually made from cornstarch, which is also widely used in porridges. However, ideally, you should not offer these types of thickeners to your baby. The thickener can lead to your baby gaining excessive weight and cause a number of health issues.

Ingredients for Making Baby Porridge

There are many recipes you can prepare to make porridge that is both nutritious and delicious for your baby. Here are some main ingredients and how each can benefit your baby. These ingredients are:

  • Oats
  • Fruits

Oats

At this stage, when babies start eating solid foods, oats are one of the main ingredients recommended by pediatricians and nutritionists. Firstly, because it’s not a heavy food, it can be very nutritious, and it easily mixes with milk3.

All these aspects make oats one of the primary foods in the early stages of many babies’ diets. Always remember that too much of anything can be harmful, so it is important to moderate the amount of oats your baby consumes.

Fruits

Especially apple, banana, and pear are essential in a baby’s diet. First, because they provide a variety of nutrients, and they are also tasty, which helps babies quickly get used to these flavors.

Although not the main component, fruits play a very important role in this phase of transitioning the baby’s diet from breast milk to solid foods.

Important Foods for Babies

Besides porridges, there are other foods that can be gradually introduced to babies after 6 months of age. Remember, this is a slow process to help the baby get used to these foods and allow their body to assimilate them. They are:

  • Carrot
  • Potato
  • Beans
  • Egg
  • Fish
  • Lentil
  • Cooked meat

Remember that, although babies can eat all these foods, they still don’t have strong enough teeth to eat them normally, so it’s always best to offer the food slightly mashed, which makes it easier to digest and helps them get used to it.

As the baby’s teeth develop, you can gradually mash the food less and allow them to get used to eating all these foods as is. Offering baby porridge can be a nutritious and tasty option to meet some of your child’s needs, but it’s always important to keep in mind that porridge alone cannot make up the entire diet for little ones.

Many different foods need to be gradually included in their diet, so the baby gets used to eating and so you avoid bigger problems down the line. Still, having porridge once in a while won’t harm anyone, and it’s very tasty and nutritious. You can balance the diet and make sure your baby eats a wide range of foods and eats well — you just need patience and perseverance, and everything will work out.

See Also: Natural Laxative for Babies – Relief from Constipation
Photo: yalehealth