Oats For Babies! - Are Oats Good For Babies?

Oats are the food that is considered to be good for people of any age. It can be eaten by aged people as well as by babies because of its properties like easy digestible, rich in fiber, and full of nutrients. It has been also found that as compared to other food oats are light and nonallergic and are ideal for the babies.

Benefits of oats for babies

You can start giving your baby oats when they reach the age of six months. Here are the benefits of oats for the babies:

1. Good source of minerals: Oats are a good source of minerals and play an essential role in the development of the baby. Minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, and zinc are present in oats which are useful for baby’s growth. All the minerals help specifically like bone-building, increases hemoglobin, aids neurological function, etc.
2. Rich in vitamins: A rich source of vitamins like vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin E, and vitamin K, thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin oats are helpful in the all-round development of the baby.
3. Full of antioxidants: Antioxidants are an essential part of the diet as they are responsible for lowering the risk of attack by the free radicals in the body. Thus eating oats on a regular basis makes the baby strong.
4. Easily digestive: Due to the presence of a high amount of fiber oats are easy to digest thus can be given to the baby. It also improves bowel movement and develops a better digestive system.
5. Source of energy: Energy is essential for babies for their development. Oats can fulfill the amount of energy as 100 gms of oats provide 400 kcal of energy. Thus babies can eat for about 2-3 bowls of oats per day.
6. Boosts immunity: Oats consist of beta-glucan which helps in the production of the immune cell system of the body. Thus if the baby consumes oats on a regular basis then the immune system grows stronger and provides an advantage in the growth of the baby.

Thus oats are beneficial for babies as they are nutritious and allow baby’s growth in every perspective. But there are a few important things that you should keep in mind before giving oats to babies like nutrition content, minerals, vitamins and it is easily digestible or not as it differs from one brand to the other.

Best Oats for Babies

These are some of the best oats that can be given to the babies:

• Steel-cut oatmeal: This is considered as one of the tastiest forms of oats but is not that popular and hard to find. It takes a long time for cooking and gives the best flavor.
• Rolled out oats: These types of oats are easily available in the market and are made by boiling them for 5-6 minutes in water.
• Instant oatmeal: These oats are easy to prepare by just adding boiling water or milk and are fine oats are easily digestible for the babies.
• Regular oats: These are the most common variety of oats and are easily available. You can cook them with water or milk and also incorporate your favorite ingredients. But these oats should not be given to the babies less than 6 months as it can be hard to swallow.
• Baby oatmeal: This variety of oats in popular for babies because it is finely ground and easily swallowed by the babies. You can cook it in your own preferred way for the infants.

How to make oats for baby?

Making oats for the babies requires no such trick but you should be a bit careful. Here is the way in which you can prepare rolled oats, and steel-cut oats for the babies:

1. How to make rolled oats?
   • Take 1 cup oats and let it soak in water for about 1-2 minutes
   • Then cook the oats as per the time mentioned on the packet
   • You can adjust the consistency according to you by adding water or milk
   • When it’s done let the oats cool down for some time and blend and prepare oatmeal for the baby
2. How to make steel-cut oats?
   • Take steel-cut oats and boil them in water for about 10-15 minutes and let it soak in the boiled water overnight
   • Then in the morning boil the oats again for 15-20 minutes and stir continuously
   • Adjust the consistency by adding water or milk
   • Once it is done, cool down the oats and blend it properly

Oats Recipes for Babies

There are many ways in which oats can be given to babies. Here are some of the recipes for making baby food.

1. Oats Khichdi for Babies

   Oats khichdi can be easily prepared and nutritious food. It can be eaten by babies blew one year of age and above that. Keep in mind that if the baby is below a year then salt should not be given.

   Ingredients:

   • ¼ cup of oats
   • 1 tablespoon of onion finely chopped
   • 1 garlic clove, mashed
   • 2 tomatoes finely chopped
   • 2 tablespoon of grated carrot
   • 2 tablespoons o peas
   • ¼ tablespoon of cumin seeds
   • Pinch of turmeric

   How to Make:

   • Heat a pan and put some clarified butter (ghee) and cumin seeds, let it crackle
   • Add garlic and chopped onion, saute till golden brown
   • Now add all the vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes
   • Add salt to taste (if making it for babies above 1 year)
   • Add 2 cups of water and oats, stir continuously so that no lumps are formed
   • Cover the pan and let it simmer for some time and let it cook for 2-3 minutes
   • Once done keep aside and let it cool down.
   • Make a smooth puree in the blender and it’s ready to serve.
2. Oats Porridge for Babies

   Oats porridge is easy to cook, easily digestible and has many health benefits.

   Ingredients:

   • 1 cup oats of your choice
   • 1 cup of milk or water
   • ¼ cup of water
   • Any sweetener

   How to Make:

   • Take a saucepan and add put the oatmeal cereal in it. Add water and give it a quick whisk and ensure that there are no lumps formed
   • Now cook the porridge for about 5-10 minutes on medium flame
   • Then add milk and cook for 2 more minutes
   • Serve it warm

Are oats good for babies?

Yes, oats are good for babies and are very nutritious. There are no side effects and can be eaten with water or milk or any other way. It can be fed 2-3 times a day and if you have any doubts regarding oats, how to feed and timings or which brand is good for babies then you can consult a pediatrician.