Baby porridge

[ladyofthecake]

DD (5months old + a little precocious !) is heavily in to all the weaning foods I offer, and is currently v taken with Boots Baby porridge. However I am disturbed to see how much added stuff is in this. I would rather feed her something a little plainer. Does anyone know if I can feed a baby regular porridge if I choose a really fine milled one like Alfords oatmeal and make it up with formula milk instead of dairy?

Oatmeal plus formula is fine. You can even make it up with water actually. And add mashed/chopped banana. And some spice... and it freezes (although you do usually have to add a little more liquid when it's thawed)

Ordinary porridge oats are fine too though.

ds was chomping on normal porridge oats by the time he was 5 mo. (i weaned at 8 weeks ) use formula and just give it a go he'll soon let you know if he doesn't like it

Can't see why not- i looked at the ingredients/nutrition on Ready Brek and it was no better or worse than the baby porridge i'd bought, but it was cheaper! My DS loves it- didn't know porridge was freezable either.

Just buy fine-milled oats, cheaper than ready brek, and available organic.

But oats contain gluten and should be avoided before 6 months. Better to get rice or millet flakes, both of which are completely gluten free.

OK, so encouraged by the first 2 responses yesterday (all I managed to stay awake for before I staggered off to bed...) I proudly presented DD with Oatmeal this morning, made with water, but sweetened with pear & raspberry pure fruit spread as recommended by my friend who sold me the oatmeal. My DD, a sturdy trencherwoman, could not bring herself to eat it even though she was really hungry. Thank God for emergency Baby Rice! I tried the oatmeal and it was truly foul. Tomorrow I plan to make it again but with formula milk - any other suggestions to help?