BABY FOOD: WHY START WITH RICE CEREAL?

Rice cereal is among the common first foods for babies. Pediatricians and parents recommend introducing it to babies, starting with solids, as it can offer them several minerals, like selenium, copper, and B vitamins. It has the perfect consistency for infants learning to swallow solid foods. Additionally, it is easily digestible, fortified with essential iron, and does not cause allergic reactions.

Different rice cereal recipes are there, like puffed rice cereal or rice crispy cereal for babies using simple ingredients like jaggery and whole milk. Nevertheless, it is the feeding proportion that is of utmost importance. You must also know the right age and age-appropriate methods to introduce this baby cereal, so you get its best benefits.

Read on to learn about this infant cereal, from the right age to the different ways of feeding rice to its preparation and health benefits.

Why Introduce Rice Cereal as the First Solid Food for Babies?

Reasons to give rice as the first infant cereal organic when starting solid foods for babies include:

• Good for the Bones

Cream of rice is one of the best sources of magnesium and calcium, which are crucial for strong and healthy bones. Serving it with breast milk daily can be an additional source of calcium for the infant.

• Replenishes Body Energy

100 grams of rice cereal contains 83 grams of carbohydrates. So, a bowl of this nutritional baby cereal can give your infant much-needed energy to stay active.

• Supports Overall Health

Rice is loaded with small amounts of micronutrients like selenium, zinc, and copper. These micronutrients are crucial for several bodily functions. Regular servings of this cereal will help your baby's body function smoothly.

• Easy on the Baby's Digestive System

Since rice is a single-grain cereal, its texture is easy to modify in a way that the child swallows it conveniently. And in the process, it becomes a great solid food perfect for the baby's digestive system. Also, rice cereal eases tummy discomfort in babies making it the go-to food for kids with diarrhoea. 

• Non-Allergic

Unlike wheat cereals, cereal like puffed rice contains no food allergens like gluten. Necessarily, there's nothing wrong with gluten, provided the baby is not gluten-allergic. But it is better to start with foods that will not cause intolerance or allergic response.

• Easy First Solid Food for Babies

Rice is a flake you can easily mix in formula or breast milk to reconstitute. Therefore, it makes an easy first solid food for infants. Also, no lumps form when you mix it to a pudding-like consistency. Infants can easily mouth and swallow a spoonful of this cereal without the risk of choking.

• Aids Baby's Brain Development

The best rice cereal for infants is one of the major sources of iron crucial for the infant's brain development. As per studies, iron-fortified grain-based cereals, especially rice, help prevent anemia and iron deficiency in babies.

When to Start with Rice Cereal for Babies?

The ideal time to start with rice cereal for babies is after six months, which is also the pediatrician-recommended age to start with solid food.

How to Prepare Rice Cereal for an Infant?

You can easily prepare the cereal at home, but the key is to know the right way to choose the type that would be perfect for your baby. Some tips that can help you out are as follows:

• Go Only For the Fortified Versions

Always choose iron-fortified rice-based cereal for your infant. The majority of these cereals are fortified with iron and various other nutrients. However, you can choose plain cereal without fortification if you are sure the infant is receiving sufficient iron from other foods.

• Do Check the Other Ingredients

Check the other ingredients in the best rice cereal for infants because some varieties may contain small amounts of soy lecithin as a food additive. Avoid such versions, especially if your infant is starting with solid foods. Make sure to start with just one type of grain initially when your baby is beginning to take solids instead of offering different additives simultaneously.

• Mix the Cereal with Breast or Formula Milk

Mix a tablespoon of rice cereal with three to four tablespoons of freshly pumped breast milk or freshly prepared formula milk. If you are using frozen formula or breast milk, take it out of the refrigerator; allow it to reach room temperature, and then mix it in the cereal. Once the milk and cereal are mixed thoroughly, feed them to the infant.

Since rice is bland food, the baby might not like it immediately. In that case, you can try out the following tricks to get the infant used to the taste of this cereal:

• Explore Different Food Ideas for Babies

You can use the infant cereal as a dessert option for the baby. Or, if you are introducing it in toddlerhood, add cow's milk or honey to enhance the taste. But these are not recommended for children below one year.

• Mix with Vegetables and Fruits

Add a tablespoon of pureed fruits or some veggies to the cereal. Adding the puree of your infant's favourite fruit or vegetable will make them like the cereal sooner. As your infant grows older, you can increase the quantity of the cereal you serve them. But that will completely depend on whether your baby likes it or not.

The Bottom Line 

So, rice cereal offers several advantages to babies starting solid foods for the first time and even toddlers. It is even safe for babies with immune disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and wheat allergies. But, always consult a pediatrician before introducing it to your baby's diet.

Alternatively, you can visit Wellness Forever for self-help and health guidance on baby foods. We are the leading online pharmacy in India and a one-stop destination for all baby products like wipes & diapers, baby food & formula, bath & hygiene products, and baby accessories like teethers, soothers, combs, brushes, and nail cutters.