Most experts on the subject recommend introducing complementary foods into the baby's diet from 6 months of age. Many mothers usually opt for the famous cereal porridge as a supplement to breast milk or formula milk. However, today there are certain doubts about whether it is necessary to give the baby cereal porridge when he reaches 6 months of age.
In the following article we talk about whether cereal porridges are advisable, when including it in the baby's complementary diet.
When should cereals be offered to the baby?
What should be clear is that it is from the 6th month of life, when complementary feeding should be introduced. Each mother is free when it comes to introducing certain foods. It is advisable that these foods are rich in minerals such as iron or zinc. In relation to cereals that contain gluten, experts advise introducing them from the sixth month of life and in small quantities.
Are cereal porridges necessary?
Cereals stand out for providing a good amount of carbohydrates to the body, in addition to having a lot of fiber that helps digestion. In the case of cereal porridges, they are not essential in the baby's diet. It is best to put aside the aforementioned industrial porridge and make them in a homemade way. In this way you can offer the typical oatmeal porridge or mix add a little rice to a vegetable porridge.
Industrial cereal porridges are not healthy
We must start from the basis that the famous cereal porridges that come in boxes are not at all healthy for the baby. In the vast majority of cases, these porridges are made with added sugars, which are inadvisable for the child's health. In addition to this, the sweet taste of porridge makes babies prefer these products to other much healthier foods such as vegetables or fruits. Today it is possible to find somewhat healthier cereal porridges since they do not contain added sugars. In any case, cereal porridges made in a homemade way will always be much healthier.
Is it good for babies to eat whole grains?
It is much healthier for a baby to eat whole grains than whole grains. Whole grains are much more nutritious as they contain much more fiber, vitamins and minerals. The consumption of whole grains reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and they are perfect for good digestion.
How to introduce cereals in complementary feeding
It has become clear that cereal porridge is not essential at all and nothing happens if it is not given to the baby. Breast milk or formula should be the main food and starting at 6 months, introduce a series of foods that provide nutrients to the child's body. Cereals are good as long as they are added to other foods, such as vegetable purées or fruit purees.
In short, although many parents opt for cereal porridge as a complementary food for the baby, it should be noted that in the vast majority of cases, these are industrial products that are not healthy for the baby. It is best to avoid this kind of porridge and introduce cereals in a homemade way either with milk, fruit or vegetables.