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Oats

Category
Grain
Recommended age
6 months
Priority allergen
Not a priority allergen
Nutrition highlights
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Oats

Overview

Oats are a typical complementary grain around 6 months when your baby shows readiness for solids. Whole grains such as infant cereals can be part of complementary feeding. Offer oats as a single new food.

Preparation

Cook oats until soft. Mix mashed cooked oats or iron-fortified oat infant cereal with breast milk, formula, or water until smooth and easy to swallow. Do not put cereal in a bottle. Supervise every meal.

Three-step introduction

Step 1: First tiny taste

Offer a small taste of smooth cooked oats or thinned oat cereal. Watch for concerning symptoms during and after the feed.

Step 2: Larger offer

If tolerated, offer more of the same preparation at a later feed.

Step 3: Include regularly

Keep soft oats in complementary meals as desired.

FAQ

When are babies usually ready for solid foods?

Complementary foods are typically introduced around 6 months of age, when the baby shows developmental readiness (for example, sitting with support, good head control, and swallowing food rather than pushing it out). Introducing solids before 4 months is not recommended.

Do I need to introduce foods in a certain order?

For most children, there is no required order for first foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats and other proteins, and other food groups can all be part of complementary feeding around 6 months.

How should I prepare oats for a baby?

Cook oats until soft. Mix mashed cooked oats or infant oat cereal with breast milk, formula, or water until smooth and easy to swallow. Do not put cereal in a bottle. Always supervise eating.

Should oats be the only cereal I offer?

If your child is eating infant cereals, offer a variety of fortified infant cereals such as oat, barley, and multigrain instead of only rice cereal.

Sources

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