Oatmeal for 6 month old baby

[Twinklemegan]

I'm sure this has been done before so apologies for any repetition. I'm following a particular weaning book and it recommends using an unrefined rolled oatmeal cereal made specially for babies. The only oat cereal I can find in my local supermarkets is a creamy oat thing with powdered milk in it along with lots of other stuff. Is it possible to find simple oatmeal for babies, fortified with vitamins etc. but with no milk powder or additives? And is there any reason why I need a special baby cereal as opposed to using regular fine oatmeal, bearing in mind that DH will be preparing it and it needs to be EASY?!

[DizzyBint]

why not use just normal porridge? why does it have to be specially for babies? your baby is 6 months yes?

[Twinklemegan]

I don't know Dizzybint, that's what I was asking in my second question!

[DizzyBint]

hmmm. is this for breakfast? i would just use normal porridge. i'm very suspicious about special baby food things. once they're 6 months what's the point?

[Twinklemegan]

I think I probably will try normal porridge then as he should be getting plenty of nutrients that aren't in the porridge from his other food. I just wondered what the difference is really? I agree with you about the special baby food things - I certainly wouldn't consider using any of the ones I've seen so far!

[DizzyBint]

presumably he's still getting plenty milk so therefore getting nutrients etc from that. the food he's having is just extras really, getting him used to full meals.

[Twinklemegan]

Oh God yes. He's hardly reduced his milk at all and he's having a fair amount of solid food now as well.

[FirstAtForty]

Hi Twinkle
My DD's 6 months too. I was wondering the same thing yesterday in the aisles of Sainsburys! Ended up with Ready Brek as it doesn't have soy lecithin stabiliser in it, just oats fortified with vits and minerals. It also seems like a good texture.

Gave her some yesterday and today - I'm avoiding dairy at the moment so tried it with butternut squash puree and water and also some mashed peas, she really liked it.

Also tried with pear and banana last night - she ate some of it. She refused point blank to eat it just with water. She slept quite well last night after it, so fingers crossed it's filling her up where the purees have failed!

[Twinklemegan]

Hi FirstatForty - thanks for replying. I had another look today. I'd been thinking maybe the baby versions were gluten free but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'm going to try him with Tesco's own version of Readybrek as that too has just got rolled oats, oat flour and vitamins etc. There's all sorts of other cr*p in the baby ones I've seen. I'm hoping he'll take it mixed with water and some fruit - fingers crossed!