There are plenty of different ways to make baby food, but baby porridge is one of the easiest and most nutritious options. It's also very versatile, so you can mix and match different fruits and vegetables to create your own unique combinations.
This article is for you if you're looking for new baby porridge recipes to spice up your morning routine. Here, we'll share our favourite porridge recipes—from classic oats to sweet potato, from savoury to dessert-inspired. You'll also find helpful tips and tricks for making your cooking experience as easy as possible.
Can I Give My Baby Porridge
Of course, you can!
Porridge is a great first food for babies. The texture is soft and smooth, which makes it easier to chew and swallow than other foods. It's also a good source of iron, which helps to build red blood cells.
Babies need iron because their bodies are growing so quickly—and babies who eat iron-rich foods like porridge get more energy from the same amount of food as babies who don't eat enough iron!
Aside from these, there are many benefits to starting your baby on porridge, including:
- High in fibre and nutrients
- Easy to digest
- It gives the baby a sense of what "food" is like
- Helps baby learn how to eat
When Can Baby Eat Porridge
Porridge is a great first food for babies. You can start feeding your little one porridge at around six months of age. You should wait until they are six months old before starting them on solids, and once you start, you should only be feeding your baby pureed foods until they are 12 months old.
The reason for waiting until six months is that it takes babies this long to develop the muscles in their mouth and throat to handle solid foods. Their digestive system is also not yet ready for solid foods, so it's important to wait until they're older.
Once your little one starts eating porridge, make sure you don't overdo it—or anything else—when it comes to solids! Babies need just a small amount of food per meal: 3 tablespoons of pureed food per feed (up to 6 times per day) or 4 tablespoons if they are older than eight months old (up to 5 times per day).
Baby Porridge Recipes
If you are a parent, you know that babies' food can be pretty boring. But it doesn't have to be! Here are some super simple baby porridge recipes that your little one will love.
Rice Porridge
Ingredients:
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons white or brown rice (uncooked)
- Only a pinch of salt, even less than 1/4 teaspoon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional)
Directions:
In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the rice and salt. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you prefer a thinner porridge, add more water during cooking time. When done simmering, stir in butter if desired and serve hot.
Quinoa Porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups of water
- Only a dash of salt, even less than 1/4 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup milk (you can use whatever kind you want)
Directions:
Bring the quinoa, water, and salt to a boil in a small pot over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. Add milk to cooked quinoa and stir until well combined. Serve warm!
Barley Porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of barley flakes
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Bring the water to a boil, then add the barley flakes. Heat for 3 minutes, then reduces heat and simmer, occasionally stirring, until thickened (about 20 minutes). Add the cinnamon and dried fruit. Serve warm.
Oatmeal Porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of oatmeal
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup of water
- A pinch of salt
Directions:
Place the oatmeal, milk and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the porridge is thickened but still soft. Stir frequently while cooking so that no lumps form. Add salt and stir well before serving.
Chickpea Porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 3/4 cup of oats (or barley or rice)
- 1/3 cup of cooked chickpeas (you can use canned or fresh)
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine the water and butter over medium heat until the butter has melted completely. Add in the oats, boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until thickening up slightly. Stir in the chickpeas and cook for 2 minutes until they're warmed.
Oats Banana Porridge
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk (or any non-dairy milk)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 banana, sliced into small pieces
Directions:
Place oats, water, and milk in a pot over medium heat. Stir constantly until the porridge is smooth. Remove from heat and add brown sugar. Top with sliced banana. Serve immediately.
Chinese Porridge
Chinese porridge is a very healthy and nutritious food for babies. It contains all the necessary nutrients for a baby's growth, including protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. It also helps to improve the baby's digestive system.
Congee vs Porridge
Congee and porridge are both delicious, but they're also very different.
Congee is rice cooked in water until it becomes a thick, creamy soup. It's usually served with other ingredients like meat and vegetables but can also be enjoyed as a light meal.
Porridge is made by cooking oatmeal or other grains in water until the water has been absorbed by the grain and it has become soft and smooth. It's typically served with milk or cream and often sweetened with honey or sugar.
What’s the Difference Between Baby Porridge and Normal Porridge
Baby porridge is made with a thinner consistency than regular porridge, so it’s easier for your little one to eat. It also has less salt than regular porridge.
The main difference between baby porridge and normal porridge is that it contains less salt and sugar than regular porridge and is, therefore, less likely to cause any digestive issues or allergies in your baby. Baby porridge should also not contain ingredients that can trigger allergies or could potentially choke baby.
Is Oatmeal Porridge the Best for Baby’s Weight Gain
By now, you've probably heard that oatmeal is an excellent choice for your baby's breakfast. But which kind should you be feeding them?
It depends on what you're looking for—and what time of day it is!
If you're looking for something to help them get big and strong, choose porridge with plenty of protein, like whole grain oats with yoghurt. This option can be served in the morning or at night.
If you want something to help them sleep well, try giving them a warm bowl of oat flour and water as a bedtime snack. It'll help them stay calm and relaxed as they drift off into dreamland—plus, it tastes delicious!
How Much Porridge Can I Give My 6 Month Old
It's important to remember that what works for one baby won't necessarily work for another, and the amount of food you give your child will depend on the size of their tummy, how often they eat, and other factors.
The best way to know if your baby is getting enough is by watching them eat—if they eat all of their food or seem hungry after a meal, everything is likely going well.
You can also keep an eye on the colour of their poop (light brown or yellow) to ensure that they're digesting their food properly! If you have questions about how much baby porridge you should give your bub or any other aspect of feeding time, check with your baby’s paediatrician.
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