Which porridge is healthiest for a 6 month old?

[LittleDoe]

Hi,

I want to start giving my 6 mo old DS porridge for breakfast but am confused as to which is the healthiest option. I have just bought the Hipp Organic stuff but it seems to have a lot of sugar in it - something like 30g per 100g (even though it says no added sugar). Is something like ReadyBrek better?

TIA.

just a bag of plain normal porridge oats is fine.

We buy Familia which we get from a health food shop. It has more oats in it and seems far more filling than any other baby brand i've bought. I may try buying normal oats soon if I can wean him off this stuff, he loves it!

Just buy normal porridge oats, such as Quaker Oats. Then you know exactly what's in it! (and it's loads cheaper too).

I'd use normal porridge oats too

We use Quaker Oats with mashed banana or grated apple.
There's nothing added to it, safest option imo.

Thanks! I did think of giving him just normal porridge oats but wasn't sure if it would be a bit lumpy for him at this stage. I could maybe just buy him a bag of the finer oatmeal rather than the big jumbo oats I get for myself!

DS3 (and I ) liked Plum baby porridge - expensive, but lots of iron in it, no sugar and wholemeal.

try him with the stuff you have!

At 6 months he should be able to handle normal porridge, even jumbo oats. If you're concerned, soak the porridge overnight before you cook it - it'll be beautifully soft and creamy.

If you used normal porridge would you just make it with cows milk (I understand that is OK at 6 months - in food - just not as a drink) Do you add anything else ?

winnybella I love your idea, do you add the fruit before cooking ?

I have porridge every morning a DD (19weeks)is showing a huge interest so this will probably be one of her first meals !

Just cows milk. Fine with nothing else in it, but raisins and grated apple are lovely, as are blueberries. Raisins and apple I'd add before cooking - raisins in particular benefit from soaking overnight.

We just have ordinary porridge oats with stuff added. I like maple syrup on mine.
Soft fruit sounds a good plan for a 6 month old. My DS was a big fan of peaches at that age.

I was just looking online today if there was anything special about oats to use for my 6 month old, and I found this web site with some nice looking recipes. I also like the finger food recipes but I don't think he's quite ready yet.

Oh gosh, go for finger food! It's lots of fun, if hideously messy, and at 6 mo he should be ready for it. Look at Aitch's blog.

I thought Ready Brek was a goodone. BOught some today. Any ideas?

I also liked Plum four grain baby porridge.

My DS got the hang of toast soldiers very easily, and they are not as messy as some finger food. Try him on those too, maybe?

The sort made from oats and milk should do nicely

Just bog standard normal will be fine.

ready brek is fine as it has no added salt or sugar and is ground up very fine so less likely to be lumpy.

Habbibu thanks, sounds lovely, might try that for myself at th weekend.

In relation to Habbibu's BLW link, I made porridge pancakes for DS for ages, as he could pick it up with his fingers really easily and oats are a brilliantly nutritious breakfast.

Okay - so stupid question coming up - can I just make porridge as I would do normally for me and just give DS some of it?

(Probably have answered my own question here...)

Normal porridge. Or ground oatmeal if not keen on lumpy stuff. DS (aged 4) had normal porridge from weaning age and it's still his favourite breakfast - has three bowls most mornings before school. Like a bear.

Try Rude Health - www.rudehealth.com/our-products/organic-porridge

if too lumpy then you can always grind the oats into more powdery form using food processor, but I find it's OK the way it is. Try pears grated esp the sweet ones as this is like adding sugar to the porridge I eat this everyday and it is the only thing that fills me up. If you can't be bothered to soak over night then heat in the micro with cows milk for longer then let it sit to cool ( I usually do mine for 2 mins. then reheat if oats are still lumpy) if it goes to thick just add more milk.
Try grated apple with cinnamon (this makes it taste sweeter!)
When my DD was 6 mths I made lots of apricot puree( heat dried apricots in water then mush) and put it in the freezer in small 1/2 ice cubes. then in the morning just add one into the porridge before heating.

You can buy porridge powdered but can't remember what it's called. Oatmeal?

Mix with cow or breast milk.

Add grated apple or mushed banana if sweetness required.