Baby porridge / rice

[ncarney93]

Hi all.

I'm looking to introduce either baby porridge or baby rice to my little boy within the next month can I have some advice on which one is better and how it works with in regards to his bottles. Would I cut down his ounces in his morning bottle and give him porridge/rice or just give him one or the other? First time mum so looking for any advice!

TIA x

What age is he?
No you don't cut down any milk at the start of weaning. It's to introduce new tastes and textures not to fill them up

Apparently baby rice has no nutritional value. I’ve not looked into it myself.
My dd loves baby porridge though.
I used to give dd her milk, then a little later on some porridge so that she was still getting the benefit of milk.
As pp says it’s just about introducing tastes and textures.

Wouldn’t bother with either. Give real food!

I never bothered with baby rice, but did have baby porridge. Just a few spoonfuls to begin with, after his milk feed.
For the first year, milk is still the main source of nutrition, so don’t cut down his milk feeds - carry on as normal.
I just made my own purées, in bulk, and then froze portions in an ice cube tray for a later date (you can knock out into a freezer bag and label up after so you can use the tray again with something else).

A cheap hand blender is all you need.
Basic starter purées can be - broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, sweet potato (mash with some of his milk to get the required consistency), butternut squash, apple, pear, banana and avocado (you can’t freeze avocado or banana though).

You don’t even need a blender if you do baby led weaning.

You don’t even need a blender if you do baby led weaning.

True, I decided to do a bit of both though. First week was just purées, then onto purées with lumps, and now he’s on finger foods which the dog thinks is great as well 😆

I gave my baby mashed up banana as his first ever food and stuck to simple fruit and veg purées in the early weeks. I eventually introduced baby porridge but have never used baby rice as it doesn't look very appealing (I know most baby food doesn't but to me there's something different about baby rice that I can't put my finger on!) and apparently it's tasteless and of little / no nutritional value.

Each to their own though. My cousin had baby rice as his first ever food and he was fine. Good luck working out what's right for you and enjoy your baby!

Baby rice is unappetising and doesn't provide nutrition. Presuming you are waiting until your baby is six months ; why not just give normal porridge if that is your usual breakfast choice?
No need for purées either but if you are spoon-feeding you can squash the vegetables up a bit with your fork to make it easier.
Purées were relevant when babies were weaned earlier but now that recommended age is six months plus there is no need to be fastidious about lumps.

I would start with porridge if that's what you want to try, out baby rice went straight in the bin. We did a bit of purée/porridge then onto BLW

I started with baby rice at tea time and dd loved it! I then moved on to baby porridge then veg blended.

Annabel karmel books are good. They have recipes and routine guides. Great for a first time mum (or third like me!!)

You don't even need baby porridge, much less baby rice; it's expensive and often sweetened. Buy the fine-ground normal porridge oats; Ready Brek or the own brand equivalent. Cheaper and healthier.

I won't say I've never used pouches etc for occasional convenience but you really don't need any specific "baby" foods and in general it's better to feed them real food you prepare at home.

I agree with others, don't bother with baby rice. Mine just had banana and toast soldiers as their first food, as they can hold this themselves. I

Don't change the milk.

No need to buy baby porridge. Ready Brek (the plain one in a box, not the sachets / cups) is the same stuff and a fraction of the price. Once baby is 6months plus, warm a little milk (cows or formula) and add a few tsps of Ready Brek to thicken. Feed on a spoon. You can add some mashed banana or stewed fruit too.

Baby porridge is nice :)

Also, never assume that because something is a "baby" food it's healthy/no additives etc. Always look at the ingredients. You'd be surprised.

Cow & Gate, Boots, Heinz all do some great flavoured ones from 4-6 months as well as some savoury rice cereal options. My DCs have loved these.

I started with baby rice mixed with a little milk then added banan, apple puree and veg puree and finally meat purees much later. Keep feeding normal milk amounts as the weaning process takes time

Thanks all, he'll be nearly 5 months.
Think I'll try the porridge then 😊

Have you had medical advice that he needs to wean early? Why the rush?

If he'll be nearly 5 months you should wait till 6, like said below what is the rush?

My sons first foods were cucumber sticks, Broccoli and carrots sticks at 6 months but he wasn't really interested till he was 7 months but I just kept offering. Now at 9 months he will eat everything I give him then eyeballs my food haha.
Id honestly give the baby porridge and rice a miss. I bought baby porridge and was horrified at the amount of suger in it. So he just has normal porraige Oats with full fat milk.

No medical reason he's just a very hungry baby & doesn't always seem to be content on just milk after speaking with the health visitor she advised I could give him porridge from 4 months. He's deffo ready for something more now that's why I just wondered what's better. Thanks all for you advice.

Very hungry babies need more milk, not low-cal mush. Solids don't settle babies who are genuinely hungry in some way that milk doesn't.

There is good evidence to support early weaning at 4 months, to reduce the risk of food allergies. Your HV is correct and up to date. NHS guidelines saying 6 months need revising.
I agree with PPs that baby rice is revolting - it resembles wallpaper paste and has about the same nutritional value! Just make your own puréed vegetables.

@SoHotADragonRetired I'm very aware of that and I have upped his milk which he guzzles every time without fail.
@Babdoc thank you I read the guidelines to and there's lots supporting 4 months don't get me wrong I did think this was a little early for my boy so I've waited another month but the upping of the milk hasn't satisfied him! Haha