- Similac Sensitive vs Pro Sensitive: Which is Best for Your Baby? - January 24, 2023
- Gerber Gentle vs Soothe: Which Baby Formula is Best? - December 21, 2022
- Best Reversible Strollers Guide: My Top 7 Choices & How to Pick the Right One for Your Baby - October 10, 2022
As soon as your little one switches from a completely liquid diet to a solid or mixed one, you should start introducing oats. Oatmeal is a nutritious and healthy meal and, luckily, there are a few great oat brands out there that are worthy of your consideration.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many oatmeal producers on the market so the competition isn’t high. In fact, the oatmeal industry seems to be dominated by Gerber which is also one of the most expensive brands. Still, you can use regular oats to prepare delicious oatmeal for your baby without breaking the bank.
Baby’s oatmeal recipes are now a staple food because it helps with the child’s early development. Let’s find out some of the best baby oatmeal brands on the market plus some other useful insights.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why Should You Opt for Oats and Oatmeal Instead of Rice Cereals?
- 2 Top 8 Best Oatmeal Brands and Options for Babies
- 3 1. Organic Oatmeal by Happy Baby
- 4 2. Single-Grain Baby Oatmeal by Gerber
- 5 3. Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal by Earth’s Best
- 6 4. Gerber Organic Oatmeal
- 7 5. Whole Grain Oats by Quaker
- 8 6. Beech-Nut Baby Cereal
- 9 7. McCann’s Irish Instant Oatmeal
- 10 8. Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Rolled Oats
- 11 FAQs
Why Should You Opt for Oats and Oatmeal Instead of Rice Cereals?
There are many types of cereals but oats are among the most nutritious and healthiest ones. They are normally gentle on your baby’s tummy. Oatmeal is an ideal choice for a solid meal. It also has better consistency compared to rice. You can make it thicker if you want so that your infant’s reflux won’t act up that much.
The best kinds of oatmeal brands feature a fluffy texture and a silky smooth consistency. As long as the product is a premium one, you will achieve optimal results regardless of the liquid you choose to mix it with: milk or water.
Compared to other types of cereals, oatmeal provides a higher level of nutrition and it’s a complex carbohydrate not just your regular white carb. All these aspects will help your baby feel full and energetic for a longer time. If you help your child develop healthy eating habits from a young age, he or she will make good eating choices all their life.
Top 8 Best Oatmeal Brands and Options for Babies
I’ve listed the following products in no particular order but I’ve selected them based on their nutrient content, popularity, and reviews published by parents.
1. Organic Oatmeal by Happy Baby
As a bonus, the package is resealable so that you can keep what’s left of it fresh at all times. This oatmeal is easy to digest and it was created by a team of nutritionists and pediatricians. All you have to do to prepare it is to follow these simple steps:
- Take the desired amount of cereal and add it into a bowl – at first, you should only use one tablespoon of oats but you can increase that amount as your baby grows;
- Add any of the following liquids: breast milk, water, or formula. Then, stir the mix until you achieve the desired consistency – for one tablespoon of cereal, you should add 4 tablespoons of liquid);
- Now, you can serve it to your child as it is or after you heat it.
Made with organic oats, Vitamin C & iron that help support a baby's brain development, the silky-smooth texture of this organic, whole grain Cereal is ideal for babies exploring taste & texture Bonus: it comes in a resealable pack!
2. Single-Grain Baby Oatmeal by Gerber
The Gerber oatmeal is recommended by many pediatricians and the product is simply nutritional goodness. There are no artificial flavors or colors added to the formula so it is very safe for your baby to consume.
It also contains iron that will support your little one’s learning abilities as well as brain development. According to the manufacturer, parents should give their kids two oatmeal servings per day as part of their daily eating plan.
Gerber Baby Cereal is an ideal way to give babies their first-ever bite of solid foods. Mix fully cooked cereal with breastmilk or infant formula and introduce the baby’s tiny tummy to something new.
3. Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal by Earth’s Best
- The formula is made with whole grains;
- It is USDA-certified organic oatmeal;
- There are no artificial ingredients or preservatives;
- All the ingredients are non-GMO.
Earth's Best Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal is a perfect first food for your little one as they transition to solids. Made from whole grain oatmeal, this delicious iron-fortified cereal is made with organic ingredients grown without potentially harmful synthetic pesticides.
4. Gerber Organic Oatmeal
This Gerber organic baby oatmeal contains only non-GMO ingredients and it is certified by the USDA. Moreover, the formula is enriched with iron that supports healthy brain development.
Gerber Organic Cereal is made with iron & nutrients to support healthy brain development as your baby grows. Just two servings a day meets your baby’s daily iron needs.
5. Whole Grain Oats by Quaker
It seems that Quaker whole grain oats are liked by many babies due to their neutral flavor. There’s one single and healthy ingredient in this product. What I like about this baby food is the fact that it doesn’t contain sodium. Also, you can mix it with a bunch of other healthy ingredients and create delicious recipes.
Mornings, especially cold ones, get off to a healthy start with Quaker Quick 1-Minute Oats. The 100 percent whole grain oats are sodium-free, nutritious, and provide the energy you need for the morning ahead.
6. Beech-Nut Baby Cereal
So, with those two features, you won’t have to deal with spilling and it will be easy for you to portion each meal. This formula contains many healthy compounds such as minerals and vitamins. It is free of potentially allergenic substances like soy. The consistency of these small flakes is incredible.
7. McCann’s Irish Instant Oatmeal
Then, you must cook and cool the oatmeal before serving it to your child. These oats are high-quality cereals and they don’t contain any added flavors. It will take very little time to prepare this oatmeal which is also very tasty, besides being nutritious.
Start your morning with a warm bowl of McCann's Regular Instant Oatmeal. It offers a hearty meal that's full of flavor.
8. Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Rolled Oats
One serving provides around 7 grams of protein and it is a great fiber source. A small portion of this oatmeal will keep your baby full for a pretty long time. As I said, this is an organic product that’s certified by QAI.
Bob's Red Mill Organic Quick Cooking Rolled Oats are made from 100% whole grain organic oat groats that are rolled thin so they cook quickly.
FAQs
Answer: Oatmeal provides numerous health benefits and it has a high nutritional value. It is a healthy source of dietary fiber, fats and plant-based protein. Whole grains are important in a baby’s development. Oats also offer other essential nutrients such as minerals: iron, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorous.
Answer: Once your baby turns six months old, you can start introducing solid meals such as oats in his or her daily eating schedule. Make sure to always pick whole grains and oats that are free of GMO ingredients and that don’t contain artificial sweeteners or flavors. The nutritional profile of oatmeal is unique due to its fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. All these combined will support your baby’s proper growth and development. For starters, you should cook plain oats and add water or milk. After a while, you can also include other healthy and safe ingredients but it’s best to talk to your pediatrician before doing that. You should feed your baby organic oatmeal that’s homemade and doesn’t contain any artificial additives.
Answer: No. Normally, oatmeal doesn’t lead to constipation due to the fact that it’s easy to digest and smooth when it comes to protecting your infant’s tummy. In fact, being rich in fiber, oats will act as natural laxatives. In other words, they can even prevent constipation. Oats contain two fiber types: soluble and insoluble. The first ones will dissolve in water and form a consistency similar to gel. The second fibers will remain as they are and they improve bowel movement.
Answer: Usually, oats are safe to consume even by babies and they don’t lead to any serious side effects. However, there are a few minor side effects and the most common ones are bloating and allergic reactions. To prevent any potential side effects, you should start by giving your baby moderate amounts of basic oats that don’t contain any other added ingredients. Not only are oats safe for children, but they also help infants who deal with acid reflux.
Answer: There are several oat types that are good for babies. To become the oats that we see in the package, whole grains must go through a number of processing stages. The most common types of oats consumed by adults are: – Rolled oats: These oat groats are steamed and shaped as large rollers. Then, they are dried. What the final consumer receives are thick and flat oat disks that you can cook in only 5 minutes; – Steel-cut oats: These whole oat groats are first cut in half but they still resemble the original oat shape. They are denser than other types of oats so, the cooking time is longer, around 30 minutes; – Quick oats: these are pretty similar to rolled oats but the flakes have a smaller size and they are more fragmented. The best types of oatmeal for babies are the simplest formulas that resemble instant oatmeal but they have different labeling. Baby oats are already cooked, dried and then ground and all that remains for you to do is mix them with boiled water or milk.
Answer: Some babies could be allergic to oatmeal. Here are the signs you should pay attention to: – Crying – Vomiting – An upset stomach – Itchy skin – Irritated spots – A runny nose
The Best Oatmeal Brands for Babies – Bottom Line
I really hope that my article from today helps you understand how beneficial oats are for your infant. I also hope you now know what the best baby oatmeal brands are and how to select the proper options that suit your baby’s needs.
Normally, oats are safe for little children to consume but make sure that you don’t introduce them to your baby’s meals before he or she turns six months old. Oats are full of nutrients that improve your little one’s neurological functioning.
Start simple and opt for recipes and formulas that are easy to digest by your baby’s tiny stomach. One example could be plain porridge made of oatmeal and water. After your baby gets used to oats, you can also include other ingredients such as breast milk or formula, little bits of fruits or veggies, etc.
All the formulas mentioned above are good and popular but I personally would go with Gerber due to the fact that it has been tried and tested by numerous babies and most parents seem to be satisfied with this oat formula.
Further read: