Is there an alternative to baby rice?

[applepiemummy]

Hi - you've probably seen all the recent news about levels of arsenic in baby rice. Is there an alternative to baby rice? Do you have to use it at all, or can you go straight to pureed veg and fruit? I would appreciate your advice, many thanks.

Normal rice, rice flour. Are you looking for a no gluten option only? If so, millet flakes and quinoa flakes are good, as is maize or polenta. Otherwise if your baby is over 6mo you can happily use soup pasta, cous cous, porridge oats etc.

You don't actually need to buy baby food at all. Tis all a huge con to get money out of you.

No baby rice

www.babyledweaning.com

Brangelina - many thanks! My baby is only 4 months and I'm not planning to start weaning until the recommended 6 months, depending on how things go. I was wondering whether it was ok to introduce normal rice, couscous, porridge etc. instead, so it's good to hear that people do indeed do this!
Yes it sounds like a con to get parents to buy baby food. And from what I can gather, baby rice tastes pretty disgusting too.
Hunkermunker - will look at the baby led weaning website, thanks for this. I'd heard of it and was curious.

You can easily do without baby rice. Even if you go the puree route, you can just go straight to fruit and veg. I've only used it cos I got a load of free samples and it's been useful for thickening purees, but that's about it!