How to cook oatmeal with milk and water for feeding a baby: recipe. Features of preparing oatmeal for a child under one year old

By six months, the child’s body begins to need additional nutritional components that cannot be obtained from milk. During this period, the first complementary foods begin to be introduced. Among them is oatmeal for babies. In order for the dish to bring only benefits, it is necessary to use a recipe intended specifically for small children.

Oatmeal contains many vitamins and microelements that are necessary for the development of a child’s body. Contains a lot of carbohydrates, which are fully digestible and provide energy.

If given to a child oatmeal as the first complementary food, this leads to improved well-being, increased performance and mental activity.

Oatmeal for babies will bring many other benefits:

  • strengthens the nervous system, relieves irritation and improves sleep;
  • removes harmful cholesterol from the body;
  • will satisfy hunger and give energy for a long time;
  • cleanses the body of toxins;
  • will remove acute symptoms diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, colitis);
  • strengthens blood vessels and improves heart function;
  • rid the body of excess fluid;
  • will strengthen the skeletal system.

The benefits of eating oatmeal are many, but the following points should be considered:

  1. Cereals contain phytic acid, which interferes with the absorption of calcium.
  2. An allergy to oatmeal in infants can occur due to the vegetable protein it contains - gluten.
  3. The product is high in calories and should be included with caution in the diet of children who are prone to weight gain. excess weight. In this case, you can try cooking oatmeal.
  4. Oatmeal contains a lot of starch, which is converted into sugar in the body and increases the risk of developing diabetes.

When a child is bothered by colic, bloating, or has a tendency to allergies, you should refrain from this porridge.

Oatmeal should be consumed in small portions 2-3 times a week. Only in this case the body will benefit.

Important Rules

When oatmeal is introduced as complementary food for a baby, a number of features are taken into account: the baby’s age, the state of the digestive system, and the presence of problems with stool. Another important point is the recipe for preparing the dish.

At what age to start giving porridge depends on what kind of feeding the child is on. It is recommended to introduce oatmeal to babies who are breastfed after 8 months. Artificial babies can be introduced earlier, at the age of 6-7 months. By this time, the body begins to produce enzymes that can digest oatmeal.

  1. If complementary foods in the form of oatmeal are introduced earlier, it can cause indigestion. Colic, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea will occur.
  2. It is worth introducing oatmeal only when the baby’s body gets used to porridge made from buckwheat and rice.
  3. The first porridges need to be boiled in water. Their consistency should be liquid. If you cook porridge with milk, the calorie content of the dish increases and creates an extra burden on the stomach. He will have to digest not only plant fibers, but also milk protein.
  4. The first time the child should be given no more than 1 teaspoon of porridge. If there is no reaction from the body, then the dosage is increased.
  5. If rolled oats porridge caused a rash or diarrhea, the product should be removed from the diet for a while.
  6. Fruits and butter can be added after one year old.
  7. It is better to give porridge to your child before lunchtime, before the main breastfeeding or formula feeding.

How to choose high-quality and healthy cereals

All grains must be selected and stored correctly. Oat grains may undergo various processing. There are several types of final results:

  • whole grain;
  • flattened and polished cereal;
  • Hercules cereal;
  • “Extra” cereal;
  • oatmeal;
  • flour.

Oatmeal is produced by grinding oat and barley grains into flour. Before this, the raw materials are cleaned, steamed and dried. Oatmeal contains many vitamins and amino acids. It can fight anemia and diseases of the digestive organs. Oatmeal is especially useful as complementary food for infants. It contains few calories (120 kcal).

For medicinal purposes, it is better to boil oatmeal in water. Enveloping the walls of the stomach, it relieves inflammation, irritation and improves digestion.

To kid infancy it's better to buy special porridge instant cooking. There is on the box detailed recipe, how to bring the porridge to a ready-made state. If mom decides to cook porridge on her own, then you need to use children's recipe, and it is better to choose Hercules flakes.

Hercules porridge as a first complementary food prepared at home has its advantages:

  1. Whole grains, without additional processing, contain more beneficial components.
  2. You can choose the grind size yourself. This will allow you to adapt to the individual chewing characteristics of each child.
  3. Homemade porridge has a natural taste, without the taste of artificial processing.

But it also has its drawbacks: long time preparations, the presence of additional equipment (coffee grinder or blender). If you cook porridge incorrectly, there will be no vitamins and minerals left in it.

The advantages of choosing store-bought cereals are that they contain additional vitamin complex, and the dish is prepared quickly. The disadvantage is high price and the presence of preservatives.

When choosing oatmeal, you need to pay attention to several points:

  • yellowish color, pleasant smell;
  • It’s better if the cereal is packed in sealed bags, so it retains more useful substances, does not spoil, does not change the taste;
  • be sure to pay attention to the expiration date;
  • You need to store the cereal in a cool place, you can put it in the refrigerator.

The first complementary feeding of new foods should not exceed 1 teaspoon. Therefore, you can start with store-bought porridge, which can be quickly prepared, and gradually switch to home-cooked porridge.

How to cook a delicious dish

Oatmeal as a first complementary food should be cooked without sugar and salt. Only after the baby gets used to the dish and he does not have allergies can these components be introduced.

Before cooking, sort the grains, rinse until clear water appears and dry. For convenience, you can take a lot of oatmeal so that you don’t have to do a similar procedure every time before cooking.

Oatmeal is prepared in a ratio of 1:2. For the first few times, it is enough to take a teaspoon per 100 ml of water.

It is better to choose a metal pan with a thick bottom so that the porridge does not stick or burn. You can use a slow cooker.

It is better to cook complementary foods in the form of porridge for an infant using water, vegetable broth, breast milk or special baby milk.

1 Recipe for porridge made from ground flakes with water or milk

Grind the required amount of rolled oats and add to heated milk or water. Cook the porridge over low heat, stirring constantly. The cooking time after boiling is 5 minutes.

2 Recipe for whole grain porridge with water and milk

Pour a glass of water into a saucepan and put on fire. When the water boils, add the cereal. Cook for 20 minutes over low heat. After this, the resulting mass is passed through a sieve. At the same time, heat the milk. The finished mashed porridge is diluted with milk and brought to a boil again.

3 Recipe for oatmeal porridge with milk or water

The product is poured boiled water and leave for a while. At this moment, milk is boiled in a saucepan. Place oatmeal into boiling liquid and cook for 3 minutes.

4 Recipe for oatmeal decoction with milk

Boil water and add flakes. Cook for 30 minutes. Pour in the milk and cook for another 5 minutes. The broth is infused for an hour. Strain through a sieve.

The decoction helps cope with constipation and weight loss. It can be added to bathing water as it softens the skin, relieves inflammation and irritation. You should not give the decoction to your child often, as it can cause diarrhea, colic, and abdominal pain.

When offering a baby any dish as a first complementary food, you need to weigh the pros and cons. The benefits of oatmeal are great, the main thing is to know when to stop and be careful.

The time comes when the nutrition of a child up to one year old, in addition to breast milk or an adapted formula, should contain the first complementary foods. The introduction of new products implies the arrival of additional nutrients into the baby's body. Porridge is a complementary food, which is one of the most widespread, because it contains large amounts of useful microelements and vitamins. Oatmeal for babies is interesting to many mothers, so this product

requires detailed consideration.

Benefits of oatmeal Oatmeal is good source

carbohydrates for the child's body. Replenishes the enormous energy needs of children in the first year of life. Therefore, it is considered especially useful to cook oatmeal in the morning to provide the child with energy as the new day begins. The protein content is 13%, and fat is only 6%.

  1. This porridge is also valued for the presence of more nutrients and vitamins:
  2. calcium and phosphorus content has a positive effect on the developing musculoskeletal system potassium and magnesium are involved in the development of children: their muscular system, and are also important for normal functioning heart, blood pressure and maintenance
  3. nervous system
  4. iron plays an important role in maintaining hemoglobin and eliminating iron deficiency anemia
  5. Iodine ensures proper metabolic processes in the body and is extremely important for growing children

B vitamins normalize digestion and improve the condition of delicate baby skin Such a variety of elements rightfully allows us to call oatmeal one of the most nutritious and. healthy cereals It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the stomach, enveloping its mucous membrane.

Oatmeal is an excellent complementary food for babies, because it contains a large amount of antioxidants that improve immunity. Oatmeal is also worth preparing for your child because the fiber it contains will help gastrointestinal tract baby work like a clock.

Kids are an extremely conservative people. They are wary of anything new. If you want your baby to get used to the new porridge faster, add a little breast milk or formula to it. A familiar taste will contribute more quick addiction to new food.

Watch a video on how to choose the healthiest oatmeal

Contraindications for use

The presence of gluten in oats is the very disadvantage due to which many pediatricians do not recommend starting complementary feeding with this type of cereal. Gluten is vegetable protein, which small children up to a certain age do not digest well. Their bodies have too few enzymes capable of breaking down a complex molecule. The result is a food allergy.

You shouldn’t completely give up oatmeal for fear of allergies. Many babies digest oatmeal perfectly from the age of seven months. Follow the main rule for introducing any complementary foods: give a little, look at the body’s reaction. If there is no response, then the portion can be gradually increased.

Gluten intolerance in children is easy to explain. Once in the baby’s body, it has the risk of not being broken down due to the lack of a special enzyme, aminopeptidase. This enzyme, which promotes the absorption of elastic protein, begins to be produced by the cells of the intestinal mucosa from about 8-10 months. Until this age, undigested protein plays a negative role for the body of children, being a serious toxin.

Gluten allergy occurs in most children under one year of age due to an immature digestive system. Such complementary foods can cause unpleasant and painful sensations. A food allergy to gluten in a child manifests itself in the form of tummy problems. Mothers may observe severe colic, flatulence, bloating, and upset bowel movements in the child. Allergies will make themselves felt after complementary feeding and rashes on the skin of newborns.

After you have successfully introduced this type of cereal complementary food into your baby’s menu, try to give oatmeal no more than twice a week. Even if your child is not affected by food allergies, remember that frequent use Oats help flush calcium out of the body.

This happens due to the accumulation of phytic acid, which interferes with the absorption of calcium in the intestines.

Thanks to the fiber, oatmeal will help normalize the stool of a child prone to constipation. However, mothers of those children who have frequent loose stools should not abuse it. The pediatrician will recommend introducing oats as complementary foods to your baby, focusing on various factors . The recommended period for children under one year of age who are breastfeeding

is age after 8 months. Artificial babies can be introduced to oatmeal a little earlier, after 6 months. Possible gluten allergy – important factor

, which should not be forgotten. Start complementary feeding with gluten-free cereals: buckwheat, rice, corn. Oatmeal should be administered extremely carefully, dosing the proposed volume and monitoring the general condition of the digestive system of a child in the first year of life in order to exclude intolerance to the product. We advise you to keep a food diary.

This way, at the first sign of an allergy, you will immediately know which product caused it.

Recipes for cooking oatmeal for infants

If an allergy to oatmeal is not a contraindication for your child, try cooking the porridge yourself using the chosen recipe. Complementary feeding is considered the most valuable when cereals that require long-term cooking rather than quick cooking are used.

  1. This grinding does not undergo special processing and has more beneficial properties due to the preservation of the vitamins included in the composition.
  2. Whatever recipe you like, when cooking for a baby under one year old, you should adhere to the basic principles of preparing the first complementary foods.
  3. At first, it is not recommended to add any additional additives in the form of sugar, salt and oil.

A dish cooked in water will be healthier. It is allowed to add breast milk or an adapted formula to the finished dish

The consistency of the porridge should be liquid with no lumps

Recipe for classic oatmeal porridge with water from ground cereal

If a larger volume is required, then it is necessary to increase in proportion to the proportion: for two teaspoons, which corresponds to 10 g, take 200 ml of water. Over time, when the baby gets used to oatmeal, you can cook ten percent, when two teaspoons of oatmeal correspond to 100 ml of water.

The required amount of oatmeal is poured into boiling water. Everything is mixed until a homogenized mixture is obtained and after bringing to a boil, cook for about 5 minutes.

Recipe for oatmeal with milk

When the baby is already accustomed to a new dish, his digestion is stable. No problem using it cow protein, you can try the version made with milk with flavoring additives.

In this case, oats are used in the form in which they are purchased. Sufficiently large flakes can be used. If you intend to prepare a five percent mixture, use 2 tablespoons of cereal to 1 cup of water and 1 cup of low-fat milk.

Sort the flakes in advance, rinse and dry. Bring water to a boil, add salt and sugar to taste. Add oats. Cook the porridge, stirring constantly over low heat until fully cooked.

Heat the milk in a separate container. After rubbing to a homogenized consistency through a sieve, hot milk is added to the mixture. Add 5 g of butter (vegetable) oil to the prepared dish.

This video recipe will help you understand the process of preparing oatmeal.

Recipe for “Hercules” decoction with goat milk

To add variety to your menu, try making oatmeal decoction using goat's milk. To do this, dilute goat milk with water in a ratio of 1:2. The resulting volume must be boiled. Further rolled oats pour into diluted milk. The proportion of flakes and liquid should be one tablespoon per 200 ml. Cook until done for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, the finished mass is rubbed through a sieve until a homogeneous paste is achieved and cooled before serving.

Oatmeal for older children with additives

When you start introducing complementary foods, try to have one ingredient. This way, if an allergy appears, it will be easier for you to understand what caused it.

Children who respond well to oatmeal can be prepared with various additions of fruits and vegetables. Grate an apple or pear, mash a banana with a fork. Follow our step by step photo follow the recipe and you will definitely succeed!

Oats are a cereal containing many beneficial substances. Its significant drawback is the need for long-term heat treatment. To facilitate the cooking process, manufacturers pre-clean, steam and flatten the grains, turning them into thin petals. One of the most popular oatmeal brands premium- “Hercules.” It is preserved in such a mess most of valuable microelements, and can be prepared in 5-10 minutes. Many grandmothers insist that oatmeal is an excellent food even infant. Let's find out if this is true.

Properties of oatmeal

Hercules flakes contain:

  1. amino acids responsible for normal work endocrine system, tissue regeneration and toxin removal
  2. vitamins A, E, K, C and group B, necessary for maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes, as well as hair and nail growth
  3. microelements - iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, which play an important role in the formation of bones, teeth and cartilage, as well as in the development of the nervous system and metabolic reactions
  4. antioxidants that increase immune defense and resist negative external influences
  5. inositol and other substances that help in hematopoiesis and fight cholesterol
  6. delicate fiber that improves intestinal motility

Besides, gruel made from oats has the ability to coat the mucous membrane digestive tract, protecting it from aggressive substances. This dish is very useful for small child. The only question is at what age it should be introduced into the menu.

When is Hercules decoction needed?

During the period of shortage of infant formula and the mother did not have milk, porridge decoctions were the only option for feeding the baby from the first days of life. Modern pediatricians believe that up to 6 months a baby needs only breast milk or an adapted diet.

In the future, he can be carefully introduced to cereals, including oatmeal. In what cases is it permissible to include hercules decoction in a baby’s diet? early age

? There is no clear answer. Grandmothers and many mothers believe that if the baby does not get enough breast milk or the factory formula does not suit him, then liquid oatmeal porridge will be an excellent supplement. Experts have a different opinion. In case of shortage mother's milk

When deciding to prepare a decoction of cereal for a baby under 6 months old, you should definitely consult with your pediatrician. This measure may be justified in situations where the infant:

  1. significantly underweight
  2. suffers from constant constipation

Hercules decoction for a newborn baby is too heavy food. The lower age limit for supplementary feeding is 2 months.

The dangers of gluten

Oats are a gluten-containing grain. This gluten protein is difficult for the body to digest. In some people, it causes destruction of the intestinal lining, leading to severe consequences. This condition is called celiac disease. According to research, it is diagnosed in 1 in 400 children.

For this reason, nutritionists advise initially introducing gluten-free cereals into the child’s diet - rice, buckwheat, corn and millet, and delaying oatmeal until 9-12 months.

Liquid oatmeal decoction contains some protein, but you should be careful with it. If there are cases of celiac disease in the family, it is not recommended to give it to the baby at all.

If the risk of developing intolerance is low, the baby can be prepared with an oatmeal drink. The amount needs to be increased gradually, starting with 0.5 teaspoon per day. The upper limit of the volume must be agreed upon with the pediatrician. Usually it is 50 ml per feeding.

Cooking method No. 1

How to prepare a decoction of rolled oats? The recipe is very simple. You need to take:

  1. 1 tablespoon (not heaped) oatmeal, ground to flour
  2. 250 ml liquid
  3. 3 g sugar and 1 g salt (optional)

The basis of the decoction is a mixture of water with cow or goat milk. The proportions depend on the age and health status of the baby:

  1. if a child has a tendency to allergies, then it is better to brew the drink in water
  2. For a baby 2-3 months old, porridge with minimum quantity milk - 20-25% of the total volume of liquid, then its share can be gradually increased
  3. Breastfed toddlers need less milk than formula-fed toddlers

If possible, it is advisable to make the decoction in water with goat’s milk. Its proteins are easily absorbed by the baby's body and rarely cause negative reactions.

Preparation:

  1. Boil water, for example 200 ml.
  2. Throw rolled oats into it, cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Dilute salt and sugar in boiled milk (50 ml).
  4. Add it to the porridge and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  5. Cool until warm.
  6. Strain through a sieve or cheesecloth - the drink should not contain lumps.

Hercules decoction can be poured into a bottle or fed to the child from a spoon. The second option is preferable if the baby is fed breast milk.

Cooking method No. 2

This recipe is suitable for those babies who receive formula, and the oatmeal decoction acts as a supplement.

You will need:

  1. 1 tablespoon ground flakes
  2. 125 ml water
  3. 125 ml of mixture, diluted in normal proportions

Preparation:

  1. Pour boiling water over the flakes and cook for 30-35 minutes.
  2. Cool and strain the porridge.
  3. Add the warm mixture to it and mix thoroughly.

If the mother has breast milk, the formula can be replaced with it. The drink is made using the same algorithm, but you need to take 200 ml of water and 50 ml of milk.

Cooking method No. 3

Hercules decoction for babies can be prepared from whole grains. They contain more vitamins and microelements than flakes.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 teaspoon grains
  2. 250 ml water
  1. Sort and wash the grains.
  2. Soak them in cold water for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Drain the water and put the oats in boiling water (250 ml).
  4. Cook for 1.5-2 hours over very low heat until the amount of water is reduced by half and the porridge acquires the consistency of jelly.
  5. Strain through a sieve.

The resulting jelly should be diluted with boiled water, milk or a mixture in a 1:1 ratio. You will need approximately 100-125 ml of liquid.

All recipes given are designed for 1 feeding. Do not prepare too much broth - for a maximum of 2 meals. The second portion should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container.

If a baby eats only decoctions throughout the day, without receiving breast milk and/or formula, then it is not recommended to feed oatmeal alone. Its excess can cause diarrhea. The child’s menu should be supplemented with other porridges - rice and buckwheat.

Hercules decoction is a very healthy product, but the value of breast milk for a baby is immeasurably higher. In the past, it was a real salvation for those mothers who could not feed their babies on their own. Today there is a huge selection of adapted mixtures, and you should resort to an oat drink only if you cannot find a nutrition option suitable for your child. In any case, you need to consult with your pediatrician and ask him about the possibility of oatmeal supplementation, as well as its volume and preparation recipe.

We present to your attention detailed video oatmeal jelly recipe.

The benefits of oatmeal for children include a large amount of easily digestible carbohydrates that provide energy, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal contains almost the entire periodic table.

Table - Composition of oatmeal per 100 g

Vitamin H 20 mg Potassium 360 mg
Vitamin B9 29 mg Calcium 65 mg
Vitamin E 3 mg Magnesium 115 mg
Vitamin PP 1 mg Sodium 35 mg
B vitamins 1.8 m Iron 4 mg
Phosphorus 350 mg
Chlorine 70 mg
Sulfur 80 mg
Silicon 43 mg
Zinc 2.5 mg
Aluminum 0.7 mg
Manganese 5 mg
Fluorine 0.85 mg
Nickel 0.5 mg
Iodine 0.04 mg

Benefit

The beneficial properties of oatmeal have been known since the 12th century, and modern science proved their presence experimentally. Cadiff University in the UK conducted the experiment. A group of volunteers ranging in age from 30 to 80 people was selected for it. For a month these people were fed oatmeal. Within a week, a general improvement in condition became noticeable: performance increased, including mental performance, vigor and good mood. However, this is not all the advantages of cereals. The British value oatmeal for other properties:

  • B vitamins contained in oats have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, calm, and promote good sleep. In this regard, oatmeal is recommended for children with nervous disorders;
  • strengthens hair, cleanses skin;
  • improves brain function;
  • normalizes cholesterol levels;
  • satisfying, quickly digested and satisfies the feeling of hunger for a long time;
  • removes toxins and heavy metal salts;
  • improves performance of cardio-vascular system, eliminates plaques in blood vessels;
  • favorable for gastritis, colitis, pancreatitis;
  • displays excess liquid from the body, eliminates swelling;
  • strengthens teeth and bones;
  • lowers blood sugar levels.

Harm

Despite nutritional value oatmeal, it must be consumed with caution. Excessive consumption of oatmeal can harm the body.

  • Removes calcium. Frequent use oatmeal leads to the leaching of calcium salts from the bones. Cereals contain phytic acid, which interferes with the absorption of calcium.
  • Oatmeal contains gluten. An allergy to oatmeal in a child can be caused by gluten, which is part of it. There is also such a thing as gluten intolerance, which is determined at the genetic level. There are various degrees intolerance, the most severe is celiac disease. It disrupts the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
  • Very high in calories. The starch contained in oatmeal is converted into sugar in the body and increases glucose levels. In large quantities, oatmeal can lead to the development of diabetes.

Oatmeal is healthy if consumed in small quantities no more than 2-3 times a week. Newborns should be introduced to oatmeal at 10.5 months for children at artificial feeding and at 11 months for infants only after buckwheat and rice porridge have been safely digested. At an earlier age, oatmeal can cause flatulence. You can start complementary feeding with liquid dairy-free porridge, giving it half a teaspoon. If your baby has an allergic reaction, put oatmeal aside for a while.

How to choose the right cereal

The quality of the porridge that you cook for your baby at home directly depends on the choice of the type of oatmeal and the method of storing it. There are several types of oatmeal depending on the method of processing the grains.

Table - Types of oatmeal

Uncrushed cereal Represents oat grains from which the shell has been removed Contains less starch and many mucous substances. Most useful for therapeutic nutrition 2 hours 303 kcal
Grits, flattened and polished These are oat grains that have undergone double mechanical processing. The benefits are high, but contain less fiber 40 minutes 340 kcal
Cereals "Hercules" Of all types of flakes, they are the least susceptible to flattening and retain the grain structure Contains a lot of fiber and can be used for medicinal purposes 20 minutes 352 kcal
Cereals "Extra" There are three types. The largest ones come from whole grains, the smallest from crushed grains. They contain a lot of starch and little fiber. Glycemic index is the highest 5-15 minutes.
“Extra 3” does not require cooking and is poured with boiling water
385 kcal
Oatmeal Barley and oat grains are steamed, dried, peeled and pounded into flour. Contains more B vitamins, lecithin, amino acids. Useful for anemia, stomach diseases, for children and nursing women 2-3 minutes 120 kcal
Flour Hulled and crushed grains Used to make scones and oatmeal cookies 369 kcal
  1. Choose "Hercules". For baby food Instant porridges that are produced specifically for children are best suited. However, oatmeal for newborns can be made at home. Hercules flakes, ground in a blender, are best suited for this purpose. They store large quantity vitamins than in “Extra” flakes, but they will also have to be cooked less than whole grains.
  2. Pay attention to appearance cereals Quality product cream or yellowish color with a slight oat aroma.
  3. Buy cereal in tightly closed plastic packaging. In cardboard boxes, it quickly absorbs moisture and becomes rancid.
  4. Keep refrigerated. Oatmeal is the only grain that needs to be stored at a temperature of 8-10 degrees, otherwise it loses its beneficial properties. Contain cereals in a glass container in the refrigerator.

Oatmeal recipes

Dairy-free oatmeal for children is considered the healthiest. It is easier to digest and has less calories. With the addition of milk to porridge, its calorie content increases, and the stomach has to digest not only the vegetable proteins of the oatmeal, but also the animal protein of the milk. Thus, it is recommended to prepare oatmeal for children under one year old with water (you can add a little breast or adapted baby milk to the finished dish), and offer cow or goat milk, diluted in half with water, to babies after one year. Grinding cereal is not necessary for older children.

Made from whole grains

  1. Pre-soak a glass of Hercules flakes in a glass of water. If you cook without soaking, then pour 2 cups of liquid into a glass of flakes.
  2. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Cool the finished porridge. For babies under one year of age, grind in a blender to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

From ground flakes

  1. Pre-grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder.
  2. Place 2-3 tablespoons of crushed cereal in a bowl and add water or milk.
  3. Mix well and put on fire.
  4. When the porridge boils, cook for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Cool.

Oatmeal porridge

  1. Dilute 3 tablespoons of oatmeal in 100 ml of chilled boiled water.
  2. Boil 100 ml of milk or water (if you are preparing dairy-free porridge).
  3. Place the diluted oatmeal into the boiling liquid and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes.
  4. You can add butter or a slice of banana to porridge for children after one year.

Oatmeal broth

Oatmeal decoction for infants is offered in the following cases:

  • for constipation;
  • with underweight;
  • in case of malnutrition, breast milk only for children after 2 months on the recommendation of a pediatrician.

Use it like separate species food should not be given: the newborn’s stomach is not able to cope with such a difficult product to digest. Excessive use of the decoction can cause diarrhea. It is best to prepare a decoction for a breast-fed baby up to one year old using water, after a year - using adapted baby milk with the addition of mother's milk, and for a formula-fed baby - based on a mixture. Goat's milk is also suitable for preparing a decoction if the baby is not allergic to it.

Cooking method

  1. Boil 150 ml of water.
  2. Add a tablespoon of Hercules flakes to boiling water and boil for 15-30 minutes.
  3. Add 50 ml of milk to the resulting mixture and boil for another 5-7 minutes.
  4. Leave the broth until it cools down.
  5. Strain the mixture through a sieve or blend in a blender.

If the decoction is prepared exclusively with water, then instead of 50 ml of milk you should add 50 ml of water. To prepare a decoction for goat milk it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2, the flakes are thrown into a boiling liquid and cooked for 20 minutes.

Oatmeal for newborns is very useful, but it should be used carefully, taking into account contraindications. Any food is good in moderation, and oatmeal is no exception.

Oatmeal is very familiar to everyone from early childhood. This food is full of useful elements for the health of the body of both adults and children. However, it should be introduced into the diet of an infant carefully and in accordance with certain rules. At what age can you give it to your baby? How much and how to cook oatmeal for a child so that it is not only tasty, but also as healthy as possible?

Oatmeal is considered one of the most healthy products, including for children's menu

ABOUT beneficial properties oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent source of carbohydrates, which are vital for a baby's growing body. In this regard, porridge is usually eaten in the morning to get a supply of energy for the whole day. In addition to this, cereals also contain a lot of valuable components:

  • magnesium and potassium - necessary for the full functioning of the heart muscle, the activity of the nervous and respiratory systems;
  • phosphorus and calcium are essential for normal development musculoskeletal system of the baby;
  • iodine – plays a vital role in the course of metabolic processes;
  • iron – necessary for maintaining normal composition blood;
  • B vitamins – participate in digestion processes, have positive action on children's skin;
  • fiber – regulates intestinal motility;
  • antioxidants – increase the body’s immune strength, protect it from negative external factors;
  • amino acids – promote the removal of toxins, tissue regeneration, and are responsible for the full functioning of the endocrine system;
  • inositol – participates in hematopoietic processes.

The benefit of porridge also lies in the fact that it envelops the entire mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines from the inside. As a result digestive organs will be protected from aggressive and harmful substances.

Oatmeal gently envelops the baby's stomach and protects it from aggressive influences. Allergic reaction for oatmeal

Despite the obvious benefits of oatmeal, pediatricians consider the presence of gluten in it to be one of its main “disadvantages”. This is a type of vegetable protein that is poorly absorbed by the newborn’s body, as a result of which it can cause allergies in the baby. This phenomenon occurs quite often among children, but it usually goes away over time. However, some people experience complete intolerance gluten, in which case products containing it are prohibited for them, including oatmeal.

An allergy to oatmeal in infants usually appears when they are first introduced to the cereal. Its symptoms can be very pronounced or barely noticeable. The most common signs of allergies are:

  • prolonged aching pain in the abdominal area;
  • increased flatulence and bloating;
  • diarrhea that becomes permanent;
  • lethargy, weight loss, itching and burning of the skin.

Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis based on the results of blood tests. If a baby is allergic to gluten, oatmeal must be replaced with other cereals: corn, millet, buckwheat and rice (see also:

prepare millet porridge and eat while breastfeeding

As practice shows, as young children grow older, the body stops responding to plant protein, but for adults it is no longer possible to get rid of this allergy.

Oatmeal as a complementary food

From the first days of life, the only type of nutrition for a baby is mother's milk or a special formula that replaces it, but over time, the baby's diet needs to be expanded. Porridge is often used as complementary food. Oatmeal is considered one of the most useful, but you need to feed your baby this food correctly.

At what age can oatmeal be introduced into complementary foods?

At what age can a baby be offered complementary foods in the form of oat porridge? It is impossible to accurately determine this age, this issue must be approached strictly individually. In general, pediatricians give the following recommendations:

  1. Children who are bottle-fed can be offered oatmeal at 6-7 months (more details in the article: diet for 7 months one month old baby breastfed).
  2. If your baby is fed only breast milk, you should introduce oatmeal into his menu no earlier than 8 months; it is by this age that the body will begin to produce special enzymes that can digest gluten-containing cereals.
  3. Rolled oats should be introduced into complementary foods only when the baby gets used to rice, corn and buckwheat porridge (more details in the article: how to prepare rice porrige for a baby?).

For breastfed children, the introduction of oatmeal can be shifted to a period of 8 monthsFeeding features

Oatmeal should be introduced into an infant's diet very carefully, be sure to dose the amount of food and closely monitor the baby's well-being. In this case, it is necessary to adhere to a number of important recommendations doctors and nutritionists:

  1. The first porridges for feeding a newborn should be cooked in water; it is better to cook them in cow's milk only after the baby reaches one year of age.
  2. The consistency of the porridge should be liquid and without lumps.
  3. The portion of porridge that can be offered to a baby for the first time should be equal to 1 teaspoon, then the volume should be gradually increased.
  4. If during the first feeding the baby refuses the offered porridge, you should not force him to eat it; it is better to try adding a little breast milk to the food next time.
  5. Complementary foods in the form of oatmeal should be given to the baby in the first half of the day before the main feeding with breast milk or formula.
  6. If, as a result of feeding porridge, a newborn develops diarrhea or a skin rash, the product should be temporarily removed from the diet.
  7. After a year, you can add pieces of fruit or fruit puree, a little sugar, and salt to the porridge.

Choosing the right porridge for your baby

Many young parents are tormented by doubts: is it better to buy a ready-made product in a store or cook porridge yourself? Nowadays there is a huge assortment of similar food for babies on the shelves. The opinions of pediatricians on this issue also vary, since each product has its own disadvantages and advantages.

Oat porridge, prepared at home, is good for the following:

  • V whole grain contains much more vitamins and other useful elements than processed ones, porridge made from it is much healthier for an infant;
  • homemade food has a natural taste and does not contain any impurities;
  • You can choose the grind size of the cereal yourself, which will allow you to adapt to your baby’s chewing skills.

However, it will take mom a lot of time to prepare such porridge, and if the cooking technology is violated, the product will lose all its properties. valuable qualities. In addition, to grind cereals, you need to have additional equipment in the kitchen - a blender or coffee grinder.

Store-bought porridge in a box is enriched with vitamins, and getting it ready is very simple and quick, which is very important for a young mother with a baby in her arms. The disadvantages of this product include: high cost and the likelihood of the presence of synthetic additives in it.

Which porridge should you choose for feeding your baby? Most best option– alternate home-made with store-bought ones; for this purpose, it is better to start complementary feeding with a product in a box, and then gradually add self-prepared food to the diet. It’s impossible to say for sure which porridge your baby will like best - some children love store-bought food, while others are happy to eat homemade.

How to cook delicious porridge for a child?

If you prefer to cook porridge for your baby yourself, you need to know not only how to cook it correctly, but also how to choose the right cereal. The quality of finished food directly depends on the type of cereal, as well as on the method and period of their storage. In order to prepare delicious and healthy porridge for your baby, listen to the recommendations of experts.

How to choose the right cereal for porridge?

  1. Choose Hercules flakes for baby porridge - they are processed to a lesser extent than other types of flakes, due to which they retain the structure of the grain and contain a lot of fiber, and they cook faster than whole grain cereals, but do not forget to grind them in a blender or coffee grinder.
  2. Pay attention to the appearance of the flakes - they should have a light yellow or cream tint, as well as a light aroma of oats.
  3. Look at the packaging - cereals in tightly closed polyethylene packaging retain their properties better than those stored in cardboard boxes.
  4. Store cereals correctly - oatmeal is the only cereal that should be stored in a cool place (at a temperature no higher than 8-10 degrees), so put it in a glass container and keep it in the refrigerator.

High-quality flakes should have a creamy tint, be clean and light. Recipes for baby oatmeal

The method of preparing oatmeal for children differs slightly from the recipe for adults. However, it should be borne in mind that the younger the baby is, the more delicate the consistency of the porridge. Complementary feeding must begin with a special food, for the preparation of which you take cereal ground into powder (more details in the article: at what age should a baby start complementary feeding?). To grind, you will need a coffee grinder or blender.

Porridge for the little ones

To prepare such porridge, the amount of oatmeal should be taken at the rate of 5 g (this is 1 teaspoon) per 100 ml of water. This ratio is the most optimal for introducing the product into the diet of an infant. Cook the porridge as follows:

  1. pour the required amount of water into the pan and bring it to a boil;
  2. pour the prepared oat flour into boiling water, mix everything well;
  3. When the porridge boils, boil it over low heat for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Whole oatmeal with milk or water

If the baby responded well to the first complementary foods, you can gradually switch him to porridge made from whole flakes. It should be cooked in water for up to a year, and later it can be cooked in milk. It is prepared in the following way:

  1. pour 1 glass of water into the pan, put it on the fire, you can add a little sugar and salt;
  2. When the water starts to boil, pour 2 tbsp into it. spoons of rolled oats;
  3. when the mixture boils, reduce the heat and cook everything for 20 minutes;
  4. rub the porridge through a sieve when it cools down.

If the baby is already 1 year old, you can add a glass of boiled goat or cow's milk, and also a little butter and mix everything (more details in the article: is there a harmless mixture with goat milk?). Many modern women have a double boiler or multicooker in their kitchen; this technique is also great for preparing baby food.

When using a steamer, place the grains and other ingredients in a rice bowl and set the timer for 30-35 minutes. When preparing oatmeal in a slow cooker, immediately place the cereal, milk and water in a bowl and select the desired program from the menu, the average cooking time is 30-40 minutes.

Oatmeal broth for babies

In some cases, the baby is given a special decoction made from oatmeal. This is done when the baby does not have enough mother's milk (after 2 months). The decoction is also recommended for use if the baby experiences constipation or weight loss. However, infants should be fed it only on the advice of a pediatrician. Preparing the decoction is very simple:

  1. boil 150 ml of water, pour 1 tablespoon of rolled oats into it;
  2. cook everything for 15-30 minutes;
  3. add 50 ml of milk to the broth and boil it for another 5-7 minutes;
  4. Let the resulting broth sit and cool, and then filter it through a sieve.

If the baby has not yet reached one year of age, the decoction for him should be prepared exclusively with water. In this case, replace 50 ml of milk with the same volume of water.

Oatmeal for babies is a very nutritious and healthy food, but it needs to be introduced into complementary foods gradually and carefully. To improve the taste, children over one year old add berries and pieces of fruit to their food. Such food will help improve the health of the baby and will be an excellent prevention of many ailments.

Quite popular, oatmeal is considered by many to be a healthy food. The cereal is obtained from oat grains, which began to be grown 3 thousand years ago. Experts do not deny the beneficial properties of oatmeal.

Scientists from Great Britain not only confirmed it positive influence on digestion, but also proved that when regular use oatmeal rise intellectual abilities child. Other experts say that eating oatmeal from an early age reduces the risk of a child developing bronchial asthma.

Parents are trying to clarify at what age it is best to introduce oat porridge into the child’s diet, and what other dishes can be prepared for the baby using oatmeal.

Types of oatmeal

Oatmeal is obtained from oat grains. You can find several varieties of oatmeal in stores.

Many people are interested in whether there is a difference between oatmeal and Hercules and Extra oatmeal. It turns out that they have a difference, and even more than one.

The main ones are:

  1. Production technology:
  • oatmeal is unrefined oat grains, that is, bran with germ;
  • oat flakes are oat grains, peeled from the upper husk, and then steamed (that is, subjected to heat treatment) and turned into thin plates using a press.
  1. In oatmeal, the beneficial properties are preserved as much as possible, and in flakes, under the influence high temperature some of the nutrients are lost.
  1. Cooking time: if you just pour boiling water over the flakes and wait a few minutes, then oatmeal porridge requires from half an hour to an hour to prepare.

In stores you can see several varieties of oatmeal: two types of oat flakes (“Extra” and “Hercules”) and grain oatmeal.

“Extra” flakes have three subtypes – No. 1, 2, 3. They differ in the size of the flakes and the cooking time:

  • Extra No. 1 cereal is a purified, steamed whole grain cereal that is large and requires more cooking time than the other two options;
  • “Extra No. 2” flakes are smaller, made from cut oat grains, and cook faster;
  • “Extra No. 3” flakes are the smallest, made from crushed grains, boil very quickly, you don’t need to boil them, but pour boiling water or boiling milk over them - in a minute you will get a soft, tender paste.

“Extra No. 3” flakes are suitable for preparing dishes for babies; they do not even require chewing.

“Hercules” flakes are thicker, it takes 5-15 minutes to prepare, the porridge is thicker.

Oatmeal, not processed thermally and under pressure, also comes in two types - whole grain and crushed, in which the grains are only cut into 2 or 4 parts. Their cooking time is different: crushed grains need to be cooked for 20-30 minutes, and whole grains – about an hour.

Composition and calorie content

Comparative composition and calorie content of oatmeal and Hercules oat flakes and porridges made from them (per 100 g).

Oatmeal contains vitamins such as B9, B6, B1, B2, E, H, niacin, PP.

The mineral composition is presented:

  1. Macroelements:
  • sodium;
  • calcium;
  • phosphorus;
  • potassium;
  • sulfur;
  • magnesium;
  • chlorine.
  1. Microelements:
  • copper;
  • iron;
  • zinc;
  • manganese;
  • cobalt;
  • fluorine.

Digestible carbohydrates consist mainly of complex carbohydrates– starch with dextrins is 60 g/100 g, and monosaccharides contain only 1.2 g/100 g.

Oatmeal has average glycemic index– 60. This index shows at what speed (on a scale of 0-100) the carbohydrates in the product are absorbed and increase the glucose level in the blood.

Proteins contain 10 essential and 8 nonessential amino acids.

Oatmeal contains fatty acids:

  • polyunsaturated (omega-6 and omega-3, etc., so necessary for the body);
  • monounsaturated (omega-9);
  • saturated (stearic, palmitic, myrimistic).

The calorie content of oatmeal is affected not only by the type of cereal used, but also by the method of its preparation. If porridge is prepared with milk with the addition of butter and sugar, then 100 g of such a product will contain 350 kcal. At the same time, 100 g of porridge with water will contain only about 100 kcal.

Benefit

Oatmeal for breakfast is an excellent source of energy for a child.

Introducing oatmeal into a child’s diet not only makes it possible to diversify the menu, but also allows you to influence the growing child. children's body. Despite its unattractive appearance, oatmeal is one of the most healthy porridges along with buckwheat porridge.

How does oatmeal affect the body:

  1. Porridge prepared for breakfast will provide the child with energy, and the feeling of hunger after eating a nourishing product will disappear for a long period. Porridge is an energy source due to its significant content of complex carbohydrates.
  2. The effect of oatmeal on digestive system. Alimentary fiber improve intestinal motility, free it from toxins and other harmful substances. Therefore, such porridge should be given to children, especially those living in environmentally disadvantaged regions. Oatmeal helps get rid of constipation in children and bloating. The mucus formed during the cooking of cereals has an enveloping effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive organs, protecting it from damage.
  3. B vitamins, which are more abundant in oatmeal than in other cereals, have a positive effect on the functions of the nervous system. In combination with magnesium, B vitamins have an antidepressant and calming effect.
  4. Iron, in combination with B vitamins, is involved in hematopoiesis and renewal of blood composition, which is important for preventing the development of anemia and helps increase hemoglobin levels in the treatment of anemia in children.
  5. In addition to the sufficient protein content in cereals, vitamin H from oatmeal activates protein metabolism, which improves the general condition of the child.
  6. Oatmeal contains phosphorus and calcium, which strengthen the skeleton and tooth enamel, nails and hair.
  7. Eating porridge promotes growth muscle mass, so oatmeal must be included in the menu of child athletes.
  8. The vitamin and mineral reserves of oatmeal contribute to healthy state skin, including improvement or relief from allergies and manifestations of dermatitis.
  9. Eating oatmeal helps activate metabolism, strengthen the immune system, and increase resistance to infections.
  10. Oatmeal can be considered a leader among foods plant origin by quantity and quality of fats contained.

Harm and contraindications

Even such a useful dietary dish, what oatmeal is, there are restrictions and contraindications:

  • Firstly, you should not use it daily. This is due to the presence of phytic acid in oatmeal, which interferes with the absorption of calcium in the body, which leads to increased bone fragility.
  • Secondly, oatmeal is gluten-containing. Gluten is a protein found in grains, gluten. It is gluten that is most often associated with the development of an allergic reaction to oatmeal. Therefore, if a child or immediate family is prone to allergies, one should not rush to introduce oatmeal into the diet.
  • In addition, there are children with a congenital hereditary disorder called celiac disease, which causes digestive disorders due to gluten intolerance.
  • Given the high calorie content of the dish, if you are overweight, it is necessary to limit the preparation of porridge with milk. In this case, oatmeal should be cooked in water and given to the child 1-2 times a week, not more often.
  • The same recommendation should be followed if the baby has diabetes.

At what age should oatmeal be introduced?

This applies to healthy babies who are breastfed. Artificial babies are allowed to offer oatmeal a month earlier.

If a child is prone to allergies, on the contrary, you can try introducing oatmeal into the diet after one year of age or later.

  • To make it easier for a child to get used to oatmeal, it can be prepared with milk formula or used ready mixture with porridge produced by baby food manufacturers.
  • You can dilute the porridge from the box with breast milk or water for baby food.
  • If the mother prepares the baby’s porridge on her own, then the cereal should first be crushed using a coffee grinder. You can cook porridge using an adapted mixture or milk diluted half with water, or water.
  • For a baby who is not gaining weight, it is recommended to prepare porridge with formula or diluted milk, if the child tolerates it well.
  • Whole milk can be used to make oatmeal after a year. For kids with overweight body, you should prepare porridge in water (or dilute industrially prepared porridge with water).

For the first time, it is recommended to give the baby no more than 1 tsp. porridge with the main breakfast dish. You should monitor your child over the next 24 hours ( skin, stool, general condition) to exclude an allergic reaction and celiac disease, which may not have been detected by this age.

If there are no allergic symptoms and oatmeal is well tolerated, the portion the next day is given 2 times larger, and then gradually increased to the age norm.

After the child gets used to the one-ingredient dish, oatmeal can be mixed with vegetables, fruits, and other grains. It's hard to find a component that doesn't go well with oatmeal. This also lies in its versatility.

To avoid undesirable consequences, pediatricians recommend giving your child oatmeal no more than 2-3 times a week.

Some children enjoy eating oatmeal raw. This can occur with a deficiency of B vitamins and with a decrease in hemoglobin levels. In this case, a consultation with a pediatrician and a blood test is necessary.

How to choose oatmeal and cereals

When purchasing, you should pay attention to the packaging. It must be intact, and the dates of production of the cereal and its packaging must be clearly indicated on it. This is important because the shelf life should be calculated from the date the product is manufactured.

The expiration date differs for different packages: in cardboard boxes it is 4 months, and in plastic bags - 12 months. If the production date is not indicated, then the oatmeal may already be spoiled and unusable.

  • Transparent packaging allows you to inspect flakes and cereals for the presence of bugs and debris. The color of the flakes should be white, but may have a yellowish or cream tint.
  • The ingredients listed on the package must not contain flavorings, sugar or other sweeteners. When opening the package there should be no smell of mold or mustiness.
  • The bitter taste of cooked porridge indicates that the product is unsuitable for consumption.
  • You should not stock up on oatmeal for future use: it quickly absorbs moisture and becomes unusable.

Dish recipes

More often they prepare porridge with milk and add the child’s favorite fruits or berries to it.

You can prepare various dishes from oatmeal or cereal.

Porridge on the water

Preparation:

  • For the first porridge, the baby should first grind the cereal (or flakes) to the consistency of flour using a coffee grinder;
  • pour 100 ml of water into a saucepan and put on fire;
  • add 1 tsp to boiling water. oatmeal and cook while stirring (cooking time depends on the type of cereal used);
  • when the porridge has cooled a little, you can add 1-2 tbsp. l. breast milk or the baby's usual adapted milk formula.

Porridge with milk

It can be prepared for a child from one year of age.

Preparation:

  • Pour half a glass of water into a saucepan, add salt;
  • pour 7 tbsp into boiling water. l. cereal;
  • Turn on medium heat and bring the porridge to a boil, stirring constantly;
  • add 250 ml of milk into the pan, wait until it boils;
  • cook the porridge over low heat for 5 minutes under the lid;
  • After cooling for some time, add a little butter, and already in the bowl, you can add fruits or berries cut into pieces into the porridge if desired.

You can also cook milk porridge in a slow cooker by placing all the ingredients in its container and turning on the “Milk porridge” mode. There is no need for constant stirring.

Oatmeal soup

Preparation:

  • wash and peel 1 carrot, 2 medium potatoes, 1 onion;
  • cut the potatoes, grate the carrots using a coarse grater, cut the onion into small pieces;
  • wash, dry and chop the greens;
  • pour 1 liter of water or meat broth into the pan;
  • after boiling, add chopped vegetables to the broth, add salt and cook for about 10 minutes;
  • add 100 g of oatmeal and cook for another 10 minutes;
  • add greens and 1 tbsp. l. butter.

Lazy oatmeal

Preparation:

  • take 100 g of small oat flakes (for example, “Extra” No. 2 or No. 3) and place them in a half-liter jar;
  • pour a glass of yogurt into the jar;
  • wash fruits or berries and dry (you can use bananas, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, citrus fruits);
  • chop the fruit and add to the yogurt;
  • you can add a little condensed milk or honey;
  • put the jar in the refrigerator overnight;
  • In the morning, take out the jar, after warming it up for a while, the dish can be consumed.

Can be used not only fresh fruits, but also frozen.

Summary for parents

Healthy oatmeal should be included in the diet of children, but it is recommended to give it to babies in complementary foods after gluten-free porridges closer to the age of one.

You can prepare porridge and other dishes from whole grain cereals or oatmeal. The porridge made from flakes is more tender and cooks faster, but it contains slightly less nutrients.

You should not overuse oatmeal. With its daily use, a calcium deficiency will occur in the body, which will affect the strength bone tissue, tooth enamel.

Advice to consumers: how to choose high-quality and healthy oatmeal:

Advice to consumers: how to choose high-quality and healthy oatmeal? (17.08.15)

Oatmeal for infants is an irreplaceable source of substances important for development and a subject of controversy among nutritionists and pediatricians. The ambiguity of the benefits of a popular product is dictated, on the one hand, by a whole range of useful components. On the other hand, cereal can cause negative manifestations. In order to properly and safely introduce a baby to cereal and not deprive him of the properties of porridge, it is important for parents to familiarize themselves with the features of its introduction into the baby’s diet.

Beneficial properties and possible harm

The cereal is rich in B vitamins, as well as PP, E. Its composition is rich in minerals: potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, silicon, zinc, iodine, etc. Thanks to these substances, oatmeal has a beneficial effect on the body. Anthranilic acid amides in oats prevent the formation cancer cells and the development of colon tumors. In addition, this compound has a calming effect on the delicate skin of toddlers. If the child has atopic dermatitis, oat porridge will help fight the disease.

Oatmeal is beneficial for the body due to the following properties:

  • improves the functioning of the nervous system;
  • prevents the development of brain pathologies;
  • controls blood pressure levels;
  • reduces bad cholesterol levels;
  • removes toxins;
  • eliminates swelling;
  • reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
  • prevents the development of type 2 diabetes;
  • stimulates the secretion of melatonin and seratonin;
  • improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, prevents constipation.

Many have heard about the benefits of oats, however, the negative aspects of consuming this cereal are also significant. Phytic acid contained in oat grains can leach calcium and interfere with its absorption in the body. This is especially important to consider in the nutrition of children who need the mineral for full growth and development. Instant cereal contains starch, which can significantly increase blood sugar levels. Oatmeal is contraindicated in case of kidney and heart failure.

Oatmeal is introduced into the diet of children under one year old with extreme caution. Gluten can provoke hemorrhages in the gastric mucosa, and allergies are possible.

Allergy to oatmeal in infants

A food allergy to oatmeal in infants occurs due to the gluten content in the cereal. This substance is present in all cereals, so it is recommended to start complementary feeding with buckwheat and rice, and oatmeal, semolina porridge administered at older ages. Except food allergies For gluten, which is mainly found in young children, there is such a thing as gluten intolerance (celiac disease). Manifestations of this disease can be very different: from skin rashes to chronic diarrhea.

In the case of celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is followed for life. In case of allergies, nutritional correction is also necessary, but diets are followed for a certain period: from several months to 2 years.

Dr. Komarovsky recommends that parents with celiac disease carefully study the composition medicines, food products that may contain gluten. Children with intolerance to this plant protein develop correctly only if protein is completely excluded from the diet.

Hereditary predisposition, exposure to an allergen at an early age, an unbalanced diet of the mother during breastfeeding, and disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract can cause an allergic reaction in an infant. As soon as the first signs of intolerance appear, you should immediately exclude oatmeal from your diet, products that contain gluten. After which the mother needs to show the baby to the doctor. Only a doctor can determine the further course of action, adjust the baby’s menu, and prescribe medications.

Gluten contains the enzyme gliadin, which destroys villi. small intestine. Because of this, fats and carbohydrates are not absorbed in optimal quantities, which leads to metabolic disorders.

Features of introduction and preparation

In order for oatmeal to benefit your baby, you need to properly introduce it into the diet and know the secrets of preparation. Listening to simple recommendations, mom will be able to diversify the toddler’s menu and make oatmeal dishes tasty and healthy:

  • It is not recommended to introduce oatmeal into complementary foods for a child before he or she is 10–11 months old.
  • To preserve beneficial properties, it is recommended to use whole oat grains or round cereals with purified top shell. When choosing from flakes, it is worth noting that they contain fewer useful components. When choosing between “Extra” and “Hercules” flakes, the first option is preferable.
  • For the first feeding, liquid oatmeal is suitable. Ground cereal is sold in stores, but you can also make it yourself using a coffee grinder. Whole flakes can be tried after one and a half years. Initially, you need to cook it in water. Oatmeal is cooked in milk when the child reaches one year of age. It is recommended to dilute cow's milk with water in a 1:1 ratio. As an alternative, you can use adapted milk formulas.
  • For the first time, oatmeal is introduced into complementary foods in small quantities. Give your baby half a teaspoon of dairy-free porridge to try. It is better to feed your baby in the morning so that you can monitor the body’s reaction throughout the day.
  • If the little one has accepted the new product well, you can gradually increase the portion according to age standards, it is allowed to use oatmeal in the diet.
  • Your baby should eat oatmeal no more than 2-3 times a week.
  • Cook the oatmeal for 5 – 20 minutes. Exact time depends on the type of cereal and the method of its processing. You can cook it in a regular saucepan or slow cooker. After switching off, you should let the dish brew.
  • When the child adapts to the monocomponent composition, dishes with additives can be introduced. The baby will definitely like oatmeal if you add fruits to it - banana, apple, peach, pear.
  • Creamy and vegetable oils added to infant dishes in an amount of no more than 6 g for one year old baby.
  • It is forbidden to add honey, chocolate, nuts, red berries, or spices to the dish. Salt and sugar in the diet of children of the first year of life are also not recommended. If parents decide to sweeten dishes, it is better to use fructose for children rather than refined sugar. Particularly dangerous in children's diet chocolate substitutes, carbonated drinks.
  • When negative manifestations You shouldn’t completely remove grains from your diet. (the exception is children with celiac disease). Wait another 2-3 months and then try again.
  • How much product to give to your baby depends on his age. At 6 months of age, a child is given 150 g of cereal per day. For a one-year-old baby, the portion increases by 50 g, i.e. the baby can receive 200 g of the dish every day.

Recipes

There are many recipes for making oatmeal for children. You can choose the ideal option, taking into account the age characteristics of the baby, its physiological characteristics and taste preference. You can cook interesting dishes together with your baby. In this case, the mother’s task is to mark the dish that the little one liked the most.

Dairy-free porridge for first feeding

To cook dairy-free liquid oat porridge for the first feeding, you will need:

  • 100 ml water;
  • 1 teaspoon ground oatmeal (or chopped oats).
  1. Pour water into a ladle and put it on fire.
  2. When it boils, add oatmeal, stirring constantly.
  3. Cook for about 5 minutes. Cool and give to baby for breakfast.

If you use grains, the cooking time will be slightly longer.

A café is open in the UK for those who prefer healthy breakfast fast food. The owner of the cafe notes the popularity of the traditional English breakfast among Londoners. Dishes with fruit and bananas for children and with cherries, whiskey and honey for adults are prepared based on recipes from old English cuisine.

With apple and banana

A one-year-old child can eat porridge of a thicker consistency with the addition of delicious fruits. The very first fruits for a baby are apples and bananas. These are the ones that should be added to the baby’s porridge. For cooking delicious dessert required:

  • 200 ml of milk diluted in half with water;
  • 1/2 cup oatmeal;
  • 1 medium sized apple;
  • 1 small banana;
  • salt, sugar to taste.
  1. Pour milk and water into a saucepan and put on fire.
  2. We prepare the fruits, wash them, peel them and cut them into cubes.
  3. Add apple and banana, boiled milk, cook for 5 minutes.
  4. Add oatmeal, salt and sugar, cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  5. Turn off the stove, cover the pan with a lid and let it brew for 5 minutes.

As alternative option You can cook the cereal separately and prepare the apple-banana puree separately, and combine the ingredients before serving.

Milk porridge in a slow cooker

In a slow cooker, oatmeal turns out homogeneous and very tasty. It’s easy to prepare, all you need is:

  • 200 ml whole or diluted milk;
  • 0.5 cups oatmeal;
  • 5 g butter.
  1. Take oatmeal and pour it into the multicooker.
  2. Add a piece of butter and milk, mix.
  3. We turn on the “milk porridge” or “multi-cook” program. Cooking time: 10 minutes.
  4. After turning off, you can keep the porridge on heat for 5 minutes.
  5. The dish is ready to eat.

If you introduce oatmeal into your baby’s menu correctly, porridge will only bring benefits. The little one will grow up strong and healthy. If the baby tolerates this type of cereal well, you can give the food at night. Oatmeal gives you a feeling of fullness for a long time and the child will not wake up at night from hunger.

Oatmeal is very familiar to everyone from early childhood. Such food is full of many beneficial elements for the health of the body of both adults and children. However, it should be introduced into the diet of an infant carefully and in accordance with certain rules. At what age can you give it to your baby? How much and how to cook oatmeal for a child so that it is not only tasty, but also as healthy as possible?

Oatmeal is considered one of the healthiest products, including for children's menus

About the beneficial properties of oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent source of carbohydrates, which are vital for a baby's growing body. In this regard, porridge is usually eaten in the morning to get a supply of energy for the whole day. In addition to this, cereals also contain a lot of valuable components:

  • magnesium and potassium - necessary for the full functioning of the heart muscle, the activity of the nervous and respiratory systems;
  • phosphorus and calcium are indispensable for the normal development of the baby’s musculoskeletal system;
  • iodine – plays a vital role in the course of metabolic processes;
  • iron – necessary to maintain normal blood composition;
  • B vitamins – participate in digestion processes and have a positive effect on children’s skin;
  • fiber – regulates intestinal motility;
  • antioxidants – increase the body’s immune strength, protect it from negative external factors;
  • amino acids – promote the removal of toxins, tissue regeneration, and are responsible for the full functioning of the endocrine system;
  • inositol – participates in hematopoietic processes.

The benefit of porridge also lies in the fact that it envelops the entire mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines from the inside. As a result, the digestive organs will be protected from aggressive and harmful substances.



Oatmeal gently envelops the baby's stomach and protects it from aggressive influences.

Allergic reaction to oatmeal

Despite the obvious benefits of oatmeal, pediatricians consider the presence of gluten in it to be one of its main “disadvantages”. This is a type of vegetable protein that is poorly absorbed by the newborn’s body, as a result of which it can cause allergies in the baby. This phenomenon occurs quite often among children, but it usually goes away over time. However, some people are completely intolerant to gluten, in which case products containing gluten are prohibited for them, including oatmeal.

An allergy to oatmeal in infants usually appears when they are first introduced to the cereal. Its symptoms can be very pronounced or barely noticeable. The most common signs of allergies are:

  • prolonged aching pain in the abdominal area;
  • increased flatulence and bloating;
  • diarrhea that becomes permanent;
  • lethargy, weight loss, itching and burning of the skin.

As practice shows, as young children grow older, the body stops responding to plant protein, but for adults it is no longer possible to get rid of this allergy.

Oatmeal as a complementary food

From the first days of life, the only type of nutrition for a baby is mother's milk or a special formula that replaces it, but over time, the baby's diet needs to be expanded. Porridge is often used as complementary food. Oatmeal is considered one of the most useful, but you need to feed your baby this food correctly.

At what age can oatmeal be introduced into complementary foods?

At what age can a baby be offered complementary foods in the form of oat porridge? It is impossible to accurately determine this age; this issue must be approached strictly individually. In general, pediatricians give the following recommendations:

  1. Children who are bottle-fed can be offered oatmeal at 6-7 months (more details in the article:).
  2. If your baby is fed only breast milk, you should introduce oatmeal into his menu no earlier than 8 months; it is by this age that the body will begin to produce special enzymes that can digest gluten-containing cereals.
  3. Rolled oats should be introduced into complementary foods only when the baby gets used to rice, corn and buckwheat porridge (more details in the article:).


For breastfed children, the introduction of oatmeal can be postponed for a period of 8 months

Features of feeding

Oatmeal should be introduced into an infant's diet very carefully, be sure to dose the amount of food and closely monitor the baby's well-being. In this case, it is necessary to adhere to a number of important recommendations from doctors and nutritionists:

  1. The first porridges for feeding a newborn should be cooked in water; it is better to cook them in cow's milk only after the baby reaches one year of age.
  2. The consistency of the porridge should be liquid and without lumps.
  3. The portion of porridge that can be offered to a baby for the first time should be equal to 1 teaspoon, then the volume should be gradually increased.
  4. If during the first feeding the baby refuses the offered porridge, you should not force him to eat it; it is better to try adding a little breast milk to the food next time.
  5. Complementary foods in the form of oatmeal should be given to the baby in the first half of the day before the main feeding with breast milk or formula.
  6. If, as a result of feeding porridge, a newborn develops diarrhea or a skin rash, the product should be temporarily removed from the diet.
  7. After a year, you can add pieces of fruit or fruit puree, a little sugar, and salt to the porridge.



Choosing the right porridge for your baby

Many young parents are tormented by doubts: is it better to buy a ready-made product in a store or cook porridge yourself? Nowadays there is a huge assortment of similar food for babies on the shelves. The opinions of pediatricians on this issue also vary, since each product has its own disadvantages and advantages.

Oat porridge, prepared at home, is good for the following:

  • Whole grain contains much more vitamins and other useful elements than processed grain, porridge made from it is much healthier for an infant;
  • homemade food has a natural taste and does not contain any impurities;
  • You can choose the grind size of the cereal yourself, which will allow you to adapt to your baby’s chewing skills.

However, it will take mom a lot of time to prepare such porridge, and if the cooking technology is violated, the product will lose all its valuable qualities. In addition, to grind cereals, you need to have additional equipment in the kitchen - a blender or coffee grinder.

Store-bought porridge in a box is enriched with vitamins, and getting it ready is very simple and quick, which is very important for a young mother with a baby in her arms. The disadvantages of this product include its high cost and the likelihood of the presence of synthetic additives in it.



Which porridge should you choose for feeding your baby? The best option is to alternate homemade with store-bought ones; for this, it is better to start complementary feeding with a product in a box, and then gradually add self-prepared food to the diet. It’s impossible to say for sure which porridge your baby will like best - some children love store-bought food, while others are happy to eat homemade.

How to cook delicious porridge for a child?

If you prefer to cook porridge for your baby yourself, you need to know not only how to cook it correctly, but also how to choose the right cereal. The quality of finished food directly depends on the type of cereal, as well as on the method and period of their storage. In order to prepare tasty and healthy porridge for your baby, listen to the recommendations of experts.

How to choose the right cereal for porridge?

  1. Choose Hercules flakes for baby porridge - they are processed to a lesser extent than other types of flakes, due to which they retain the structure of the grain and contain a lot of fiber, and they cook faster than whole grain cereals, but do not forget to grind them in a blender or coffee grinder.
  2. Pay attention to the appearance of the flakes - they should have a light yellow or cream tint, as well as a light aroma of oats.
  3. Look at the packaging - cereals in tightly closed polyethylene packaging retain their properties better than those stored in cardboard boxes.
  4. Store cereals correctly - oatmeal is the only cereal that should be stored in a cool place (at a temperature no higher than 8-10 degrees), so put it in a glass container and keep it in the refrigerator.


Quality flakes should be creamy, clean and light in color

Children's oatmeal recipes

The method of preparing oatmeal for children differs slightly from the recipe for adults. However, it should be borne in mind that the younger the baby is, the more delicate the consistency of the porridge. Complementary feeding must begin with a special food, for the preparation of which you take cereal ground into powder (more details in the article:). To grind, you will need a coffee grinder or blender.

Porridge for the little ones

To prepare such porridge, the amount of oatmeal should be taken at the rate of 5 g (this is 1 teaspoon) per 100 ml of water. This ratio is the most optimal for introducing the product into the diet of an infant. Cook the porridge as follows:

  1. pour the required amount of water into the pan and bring it to a boil;
  2. pour the prepared oat flour into boiling water, mix everything well;
  3. When the porridge boils, boil it over low heat for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Whole oatmeal with milk or water

If the baby responded well to the first complementary foods, you can gradually switch him to porridge made from whole flakes. It should be cooked in water for up to a year, and later it can be cooked in milk. It is prepared in the following way:

  1. pour 1 glass of water into the pan, put it on the fire, you can add a little sugar and salt;
  2. When the water starts to boil, pour 2 tbsp into it. spoons of rolled oats;
  3. when the mixture boils, reduce the heat and cook everything for 20 minutes;
  4. rub the porridge through a sieve when it cools down.

If the baby is already 1 year old, you can add a glass of boiled goat or cow milk to the dish, as well as a little butter and mix everything (more details in the article:). Many modern women have a double boiler or multicooker in their kitchen; this technique is also great for preparing baby food.

When using a steamer, place the grains and other ingredients in a rice bowl and set the timer for 30-35 minutes. When preparing oatmeal in a multicooker, the cereal, milk and water are immediately placed in the bowl and the desired program is selected from the menu; the average cooking time is 30-40 minutes.

Oatmeal broth for babies

In some cases, the baby is given a special decoction made from oatmeal. This is done when the baby does not have enough mother's milk (after 2 months). The decoction is also recommended for use if the baby experiences constipation or weight loss. However, infants should be fed it only on the advice of a pediatrician. Preparing the decoction is very simple:

  1. boil 150 ml of water, pour 1 tablespoon of rolled oats into it;
  2. cook everything for 15-30 minutes;
  3. add 50 ml of milk to the broth and boil it for another 5-7 minutes;
  4. Let the resulting broth sit and cool, and then filter it through a sieve.

If the baby has not yet reached one year of age, the decoction for him should be prepared exclusively with water. In this case, replace 50 ml of milk with the same volume of water.

Oatmeal for babies is a very nutritious and healthy food, but it needs to be introduced into complementary foods gradually and carefully. To improve the taste, children over one year old add berries and pieces of fruit to their food. Such food will help improve the health of the baby and will be an excellent prevention of many ailments.