How often to feed baby oatmeal cereal

Oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber, protein and B vitamins, thiamine, riboflavin and B6. It also provides iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium and phosphorus.

Children should enjoy oats from a very young age, as they also play a very important role in maintaining health throughout adulthood.

When eating oatmeal, it is important to know its benefits for baby food:

1. Gluten-free oatmeal. nine0016 Children who are allergic to gluten cannot consume grains such as wheat, rye and barley for a balanced diet. But they can eat oats, which are gluten-free and contain the same vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal helps improve the nutritional value of a gluten-free diet, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies in children.
2. Oats are good for constipation. Since oats are rich in fiber, they help fight constipation. Doctors recommend making oats part of the diet when frequent constipation occurs, and this suggestion even works for babies. nine0028
3. Oatmeal for children perfectly strengthens the immune system. Oats contain a type of sugar called beta-glucan, which boosts the production of immune system cells. Thus, regular consumption of oats can keep the immune system healthy, which is an advantage for a growing child.
4. Oatmeal helps reduce inflammation. Oats contain compounds called avenanthramides, which can reduce inflammation from several causes, including infections and wounds. Babies with certain autoimmune conditions can benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of oats. nine0028
5. Oatmeal improves insulin sensitivity. Babies born with congenital type 1 diabetes may benefit from eating oats as the grain reduces insulin resistance. This means that the body makes better use of the injected insulin, reducing the effects of diabetes.
6. Essential food for children with GERD. One treatment option for children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is to give them solid foods in the form of thicker purees. Oatmeal is considered a safe and healthy thickener for these children. nine0028

The first oatmeal for children only dairy-free boiled in water with a small piece of butter. Oatmeal contains phytic acid, which prevents the absorption of calcium, so oatmeal is not recommended for children every day. nine0015 To benefit from the product oatmeal porridge can be given 2-3 times a week. A serving of oatmeal until the year is approximately 200 grams, after - 200-300 grams. But you should not force the baby to eat up how much he ate, which means that the body needs so much.

Introduction to complementary foods oatmeal occurs like any other new product with 1 tsp. in the morning, gradually increase the portion.

oats complementary foods

Oatmeal every day in complementary foods

The child loves oatmeal and eats only it every day. Mom is starting to panic! First you need to understand whether it is temporary? As I wrote in the article Era of Nutrition, this happens to children. Suddenly, the baby begins to love only one product and eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this moment of nutrition is temporary from 2 to 8 weeks. He will pass. But encourage your child to eat oatmeal every day is not worth it, as I wrote above, it is not recommended to give oatmeal every day. Therefore, we try to give a variety of cereals for breakfast, alternating with eggs and dough dishes, for example, pancakes or pancakes. They can be made from rice or rye flour.

If oatmeal has become a favorite cereal, the child is ready to eat it at any time of the day, the mother is sure that this is not the era of nutrition, it is impossible to introduce other cereals, or everything moves so slowly that the mother is afraid, that oatmeal will do more harm than good. Then the store sells cereals of 3 cereals, 4 cereals, 5 cereals, 7 cereals of long cooking, there are even these cereals for sale by weight, usually sold on the market. Under the guise of oatmeal, the baby gets a variety. nine0005

I do not welcome this way of eating, especially if children are deceived, but when mother is in despair, mother is tired of fighting, mother does not know how to influence / persuade / beg / force a picky eater to eat something other than oatmeal, then this option as an outlet is very suitable. Moreover, the taste of these cereals is different, very suitable for a transitional moment, you can honestly admit to the baby that you will feed him oatmeal with additives, it tastes like oatmeal, but even tastier. In short, we try, and suddenly it will be an ideal solution. nine0005

Allergy to oatmeal

Baby oatmeal is a good food for children because it has a low risk of allergic reaction. However, an allergic reaction is possible as a side effect, especially if it is contaminated with wheat gluten, as discussed above. Signs that a child has an allergic reaction to oatmeal include eczema, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, swelling of the face, and difficulty breathing. Allergy symptoms usually appear within two hours after eating. The extreme manifestation of food allergy is food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), in which symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are severe. If you suspect that your child is showing signs of a food allergy, seek medical attention immediately.

How to choose and store oats for children?

Oat Selection: When choosing oats or standard oatmeal, you must select a product without added preservatives, sugar, salt or flavors. Oat flakes should be crumbly, without stale lumps and mold, as well as a characteristic musty smell. There should be a slight oatmeal smell. If we buy oats from a bag, then we choose sellers who quickly sell their goods. nine0005

Storage Location: Whole grains and oatmeal can be stored for several months in a cool, dry place. Oatmeal should be stored in an airtight, airtight container and preferably in the refrigerator. Can be stored in a cool dry place, but it is important to check the condition of the flour if it is used infrequently.

When grains are ground, the natural oils derived from the grains can go rancid without refrigeration. When buying any type of ground whole grain, it is always better to buy less than throw away. We use the same storage methods for homemade oatmeal. nine0005

Like any other grain, oats can be susceptible to pest infestation. Keep the storage area clean while getting rid of pests such as moths. Avoid pills or poison from pests, as they can harm the child. We buy small quantities that can be consumed within a short period of time. If we are going to store oats for a long period of time, we put them in an airtight container or a zipper bag and put them in the freezer. The low humidity and low temperature environment in the freezer helps maintain product quality. nine0005

Freezing oatmeal

Leftover oatmeal can be frozen. It often happens, they cooked it, but a lot, either you finish eating after the child, or in the freeze, it's a pity to throw it away. Where can it be used? Of course, many would advise eating later, this is a good idea, thawed and eaten, but it is more interesting to use such porridge when making cutlets, pancakes or pies, cookies. Reduces cooking time and enriches the dish with useful minerals and vitamins. Milk oatmeal can also be frozen, but we defrost it in the refrigerator in the evening in order to add spices, such as cinnamon, to it in the morning. Still Frozen Oatmeal loses some flavor, but not much.

How to freeze oatmeal

Freezing is easy and simple, the main thing is to have ice or cake molds, you can also use ordinary large plastic freezer containers. It is convenient to decompose into small forms, freeze on a quick freeze, shock, and then decompose into special zip-packages for freezing with an indication of the date of freezing. Or put a bag in a large plastic container, put the porridge in it, when it freezes, take the bag out of the mold, put a large cube of porridge in the freezer. Defrost only in the refrigerator overnight, store in the freezer for about 6 months. nine0005

And another small comparison, it is better to eat thawed oatmeal, cooked from whole grains, than to brew instant oatmeal.

How to process oats for children?

We offer several ways to prepare oats, oatmeal, oatmeal or sliced ​​oats:

Preparation of porridge from oatmeal for children over 7 months old:

Oatmeal is obtained from long-cooked oatmeal or from grain. nine0005

• Put the water on the fire, let it boil.
• For 100 ml of water we take 1-2 tablespoons of oatmeal.
• Stir thoroughly so that the porridge cooks evenly.
• Let cool after cooking. Mix with fruit and serve.
• You can add a little milk and butter at the end if it is included in the baby's complementary foods.

Cooking oatmeal / baby oatmeal for babies over 10 months:

• Soak oats in water for a few minutes. nine0028
• Put on fire and cook for about 10-15 minutes or according to the time recommended on the package.
• Add more water or milk to adjust the consistency.
• Milk should preferably be added at the end of the boil, 5 minutes before.
• Refrigerate. You can add fruit to oatmeal for a child.

Cooking porridge from whole and cut oats for children over 12 months old:

• Pour boiling water over groats for 6 hours, if with cold water, then for the whole night, then in the morning it will boil faster. nine0028
• The ratio of water and grain is 2 to 1, but here it depends on the density of the finished porridge, it will have to be determined empirically.
• Before cooking, drain the water and rinse the grain.
• When the water boils, reduce the fire.
• Porridge must be stirred slowly, the faster you stir, the more it thickens.
• Simmer the grain for about 30-40 minutes, and the cut grain is much smaller.
• Finally add milk and butter.

Please note that the age limits are approximate, it all depends on the age at which the baby got acquainted with oatmeal, at what age he began to eat finger food. Approximately, about 1-2 months are given for one consistency, i.e. we introduced oatmeal porridge, we cook it in this form for about a month, it is clear that the child is ready to switch to oatmeal, we are transferring, we are not ready to wait yet. You can cook many other healthy and tasty dishes for children from oats and oatmeal. nine0005

Storage of cooked oatmeal

Cooked oatmeal should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours or frozen. It seems to me that oatmeal is delicious only freshly cooked, after standing for a while, it loses its amazing taste.

Contraindications

Oatmeal should not be given to heart and kidney failure, individual intolerance and allergies, and celiac patients, if the oats are not cleaned and grown inappropriately, and also in case of an allergic reaction to avenin. nine0005

Oat milk

Oat milk is a popular dairy-free milk substitute.

It is made by soaking and mixing whole grains or oatmeal with water, then straining through cheesecloth to separate the milk from the oats.

Naturally, oat milk is not as nutritious as whole oats. As a result, industrial production often fortifies oat milk with nutrients including calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A and D.

Oat milk is unique in that it does not contain many of the allergens found in other milks. In addition, it contains beta-glucans, a soluble fiber that may benefit the heart.

Due to its growing popularity, oat milk can be found in most grocery stores or online. It can also be made at home.

How to make oat milk

It is very easy to prepare, but there are a lot of recipes. However, I tend to offer you 2 recipes for making oat milk. nine0005

Both recipes are prepared with long-cooked oatmeal.

First recipe: To make oat milk, simply take 1 cup long-cooked oatmeal and 4 cups of water, put in a blender, and blend for 30-45 seconds. Then strain through a clean cloth/gauze or sieve for best results.

This method produces a creamy oat milk that is ideal for adult coffee, adult and child smoothies, porridge, baked goods, muesli, and more. nine0005

The second recipe repeats the manipulations of the first except for one item. Let oatmeal stand in water for a day, but mucus is formed, which not everyone likes. You can try both methods of making oat milk and decide which is best.

If you want to make oat milk from whole grains, then the oats are first ground in a coffee grinder to the state of flour. Used according to the recipes described above. Of course, whole grain oat milk is healthier, but more effort will be required. nine0005

Oats pair best with:

• Milk is often the go-to choice for oats. You can make delicious porridge or smoothies.
• Almost all types of fruit have a pleasant taste with oats. Fruits like naturally sweet bananas go well with oats without even adding sugar.
• If you boil finely chopped vegetables with oats, you will get a delicious porridge for a child. nine0028
• Meat can be combined with oats in the same way as vegetables. You can make delicious meaty oatmeal using just oats, meat, and water, although onions and carrots can also be added.

Oats taste great with almost all foods, which means they can be part of a child's diet.

*All foods must be introduced into the baby's diet. nine0028