Baby Oatmeal: All Your Questions Answered

Baby oatmeal is one of the safest foods you can give your little one. As a matter of fact, it is specially produced to meet the nutritional needs of infants. But oatmeal is not a food you should just give your baby without having the needed information.

The ideal age to commence oatmeal for your baby is six months. And the introduction should be steady and slow, rather than rushed. The nutritional benefits that your baby will derive from consuming oatmeal are immense. Plain-cooked oats provide your baby with a fortified wealth of natural fibers, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. And it does not end here; It helps them grow healthy bones, and become mentally active.

Asides from the fact that oatmeal is safe for little ones, it also minimizes the risks of allergy in a way other baby foods rarely do. On top of this, oatmeal makes for easy digestion, and enhances bowel movement.

You have any more questions about baby oatmeal? Read on. We have answered all your questions here.

Is Baby Oatmeal Empty Calories?

All cereals, including oatmeal, are filler. Not only is it nutritious, but it is also a rich source of Thiamin, Iron, amidst a few other minerals. What makes people think oatmeal is empty calories is that it does not come with as much nutrition as breast milk or formula. Oatmeal, in a real sense, keeps the baby filled for long. And the only implication is that when your baby eats lots of it, it will keep her filled for so long a time that she may not get to eat much of the foods – breast milk and formula that are most essential for her.

With breast milk or formula, what your baby gets is complete nutrition. One of the central perks of oatmeal is that, it helps your baby get familiar with digesting solid foods. It does not upset baby stomachs, neither does it trigger allergies.

The takeaway here is that, oatmeal is not empty calories. And there is no harm giving it to your baby, as it helps them take in solid foods when the time comes.

Does Oatmeal Help Baby Gain Weight?

With oatmeal, your baby’s food puree gets healthier, as well as provides your baby with essential nutrients such as zinc, magnesium and iron. Because oatmeal comes with an enormous portion of nutrients and fibers, it helps baby to gain weight, but in a healthy way.

Oatmeal works pretty well in helping baby gain weight. The only concern is that many parents think solids are meant to take the place of breast milk or formula. But nothing can be farther from the truth. Solids should not entirely replace milk or formula until your baby’s first birthday. So if you put your baby solely on oatmeal when she’s not up to one year of age, then there is no weight to gain.

Hence, oatmeal only helps your baby gain weight when mixed with breast milk or formula.

Can a Three Month Old Baby Eat Oatmeal Cereal?

No. A three-month-old baby cannot eat oatmeal cereal. You can start your little one on oatmeal cereal, provided they are four months old. Ideally, it is better to subscribe to the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which establishes that babies are not to take solid foods unless they have clocked six months. Only in few cases of exceptions can a baby start earlier, that is, at four months.

Keep in mind, however, that for your baby to start on solids, they not only need a good head and neck coordination, but also an ability to sit up well in a high chair. And you will rarely find this in an infant below four to six months of age.

Can You Put Baby Oatmeal in a Baby Bottle?

Yes, you can put baby oatmeal in a baby bottle, albeit, a clean one. This method is not without risks, though, but you want to ensure your baby is already familiar with feeding from a bottle.

Can Oatmeal Help Your Baby to Sleep?

The answer to this is in two directions. While oatmeal helps some babies to sleep, for others, it does not. More generally, it is safe to say oatmeal help just a fraction of babies to sleep.

If you found that your baby has not been having good sleep, then it is okay to consult your Pediatrician for a possible alternative.

Does Oatmeal Make Breastfed Baby Gassy?

The fact is that, the foods you eat have little or no effect on your breastfed baby. Babies have immature digestive systems. Hence, the reason they spit up or produce gas. Gassiness will resolve itself at the right time, as it takes time.

Can Oatmeal Cereal Thicken Breast Milk

Yes, it very well can. It is just that you have to add the oatmeal to the breast milk before your infant takes it.

Check for these signs to know if your baby is ready for solid foods:

• They demonstrate eagerness for foods, either by trying to lay hold of foods that other people are eating, or positioning their mouths for the reception of foods. They have developed the efficient oral motor skills required for a normal digestion process
• They have doubled in their birth weight.

Starting your three months old baby on solid foods exposes them to an increased risk of obesity and other health risks. At this age, your baby also lacks the ability to swallow solid foods the normal way and may not only end up choking herself but digest it into their lungs.

Conclusion

Oatmeal is a great food for babies who are between four to six months of age. At this period, it is always more productive to not cease feeding your baby her breast milk or formula, but rather mix the oatmeal with either. That way, your baby gets the most of it.

In this article, we have provided answers to all the questions you could have about oatmeal. We hope you find it helpful.