How to Make Baby Oatmeal and Oatmeal Cereal (plus serving tips!)

Baby oatmeal is super simple and cost-effective for babies just starting solids. Whether you’re wondering how to make homemade oatmeal cereal or looking for something the whole family can enjoy, this is a great, wholesome choice.

Before kids, I always had overnight oatmeal in the mornings. Now that my boys are older, they love it too.

Now we’re back to page one with Ella starting baby led weaning. Thankfully, my favorite simple breakfast for kids is also a great options for babies!

Benefits of Oatmeal for Babies

Oats have so many amazing benefits for tiny growing bodies! Here’s what the IFMCH tells us about it.

• Packed with fiber which can help constipation. Super important when your little is just starting solids!
• Allergy-friendly if you grab a gluten-free certified brand.
• Contain beta-glucans which have been shown to boost immunity. Perfect for keeping baby from getting sick when mom is!
• A great option for babies with GERD.
• Packed with nutrients like manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, folate, zinc, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B5.

How do you serve oatmeal to babies?

There’s three ways, in my experience.

One is as an oatmeal cereal. Oat and rice cereal are finely ground grains that are often fed to babies doing traditional weaning, sometimes as early as 4 months. It is often store-bought but super simple to make at home.

Two is as a thinner oatmeal. Oatmeal is cooked with extra liquid and served to baby on a spoon. This is a great option for babies on purees or if you’re using preloaded spoons with baby led weaning. You can use instant or quick oats or flat, whole oats.

Three is as a thicker oatmeal that begins to clump as it cools. This is perfect for baby led weaning as it’s thick and clumps together, making it great for baby hands. It also sticks to a preloaded spoon for easier self feeding.

How to make oatmeal cereal

Use your favorite brand of oats and add 1 cup to a high powered blender or food processor.

Pulse 10-15 times and then stir. If you see any clumps or larger oat pieces, repeat until it’s pretty smooth. You’re essentially making oat flour!

Store your oat powder in an airtight container. When ready, use a ratio of 1 tbs of oats to 3 tbs of hot liquid. Milk, formula, water or breastmilk all work well.

Mix until a thin mixture forms. If it looks too thick add a bit more liquid until it’s the desired consistency, similar to a vegetable puree for babies.

Serve and enjoy!

Note about homemade oatmeal cereal

Often, storebought infant cereals are fortified with iron, a nutrient that breastfed babies start to lack around 6 months. A homemade variety will not include this, so make sure you look for other sources of iron for baby.

You can easily mix with a natural iron source, like a spinach puree, lentils, or quinoa or talk to your pediatrician about adding an infant iron supplement.

How to make oatmeal for baby led weaning

Oatmeal for baby led weaning is one of my favorite, easy meals for baby. It’s great for providing whole grains as well it’s a great canvas for other foods.

Finally, I love it most of all because of the texture! It’s perfect for a 6 month old baby.

Because it clumps, when it makes it into baby’s mouth it’s the perfect texture for her to practice moving food around her mouth safely. But it’s also super soft and safe for a first food.

Take 1 cup of oats. I like to use quick oats, but I rarely have them on hand. I pulse whole oats about 4-5 times until they look right. You can easily use whole oats though.

Add to a small saucepan with 2 cups of liquid. I used defrosted frozen breast milk. Baby oatmeal is one of my favorite uses for breast milk. You can really use anything though – formula, water, cow’s milk, coconut milk, etc

Cook on medium low until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Serve your babe about 2 tablespoons of cooled, broken up oatmeal at a time. I serve some on the tray and some on a preloaded spoon so she can choose how she likes best.

How to store baby oatmeal

Oatmeal will keep in the fridge about 3 days, but I tend to make a bigger batch and freeze it in silicone ice cube trays. Defrost a few for a meal and keep the rest in a labeled bag.

I use a small, spring-loaded scoop to get an even amount into each ice cube hole without finagling with a spoon.

Ways to serve and flavor baby oatmeal

The best part of this is it is a great blank slate for adding new food and flavors and nutrients. Here are some favorites:

• Apple sauce or steamed appled
• Mashed butternut squash
• Banana
• Carrot puree
• Avocado
• Pear puree
• Raspberries
• Nut butter
• Ground flax seeds
• Chia seeds (or baby chia pudding)
• Mashed berries
• Mashed, defrosted frozen fruit
• Mango puree
• Greek or whole milk yogurt
• Cottage or Ricotta cheese
• … or really anything! Try sweet or savory.

Tips for serving to the whole family

Finally, oatmeal is great for toddlers, kids, and grown ups! It’s a great meal t make for the whole family and serve modified versions.

I like to make a big pot for the whole family with just milk and oats. When it is a good thickness, I take a bit out for baby, then add back in a bit of milk and sweetener. Serve with toppings for kiddos and parents.

It’s a GREAT introduction to baby led weaning principles of serving the whole family the same meal.

Baby Oatmeal Recipe

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