Should baby cereal be an infant's first food?

Baby cereal can certainly be a great first food for your infant, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start with whatever age-appropriate food you choose, whether it be baby cereal, purees of fruits or veggies, or soft fruits and vegetables.

When can babies have cereal?

Daniel Sahm, MD, says, “I recommend starting baby cereals between 4 and 6 months when babies display adequate head control and can safely eat and digest solid foods. I typically recommend iron-fortified cereals to help increase—and sometimes replace—iron stores.” It is also important to ensure that your child is able to sit supported. You might want to look for your child showing interest in eating, such as watching a parent eat or grabbing at food. Work with a pediatric healthcare provider to decide the best time to start solids based on your baby's growth, development, and needs.

How should baby cereal be introduced?

Once you have chosen which single ingredient product of choice to introduce first, start with 1-2 tablespoons and mix with either breast milk or formula to the desired consistency. This is typically a thicker milk-like texture. Begin introducing one to two times per day as tolerated. After three to five days of your first single-ingredient cereal, you can introduce a different grain or food. Continue this pattern to provide a variety of tastes, textures, and nutrients. This technique allows you to identify any allergies if one were to arise, as well as ensure your baby an array of vital nutrients.

Can I put cereal in my baby's bottle?

It is not recommended to add cereal to your baby’s bottle unless advised by your pediatrician or another healthcare provider. Historically, providers would recommend adding cereal to a baby’s bottle to help with reflux or fussiness. The AAP no longer recommends this practice, as it can increase the risk of choking or cause an increased rate of weight gain. One exception would be if advised by a Speech Pathologist to thicken feeds if a baby has trouble swallowing thin liquids.

When can babies have rice cereal?

Rice is a staple in many cultures and is often affordable and convenient. Rice cereal is safe to consume during the early stages of introducing solid food as part of a varied, healthy diet. Since rice has a higher risk of arsenic contamination than other grains, it is important to ensure it is not the only food your baby is eating. When starting solids, infants are generally consuming less than 3 tablespoons per day. Having a variety of foods from various sources and manufacturers ensures that even if a single ingredient is higher in toxic metals, that single ingredient will not be high in your child’s diet.

The 6 Best Baby Cereals of 2023, According to a Dietitian

Commerce Photo Composite — Verywell Family / Amelia Manley

The most common first food when introducing solids in the United States is iron-fortified baby cereal. “Iron is important for growth and development, so picking a cereal that is iron-fortified is crucial,” says Annemarie Hofmeister, FNP.

There are many options on the market—ranging from single-grain cereals, such as rice, oat, or barley, to multi-grain options that combine two or more varieties. Having single-grain options to start out is important, as the AAP recommends initiating one new food at a time every three to five days. This will allow you to identify any potential allergic reactions. Once you have done this, it is completely fine to have multi-ingredient, multi-grain options that include the ingredients you have already initiated with your baby.

When you are ready to pick the best cereal for your baby, it's important to know what to look for. Hofmeister says, “I encourage families to look for cereals with only a few ingredients, organic if able, and to be sure iron is listed as an added mineral.” In general, look for minimally processed options, prioritizing products with whole grains and iron. Try feeding your baby a variety of different cereals to make sure they are getting a balance of different nutrients.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Beech-Nut Oatmeal at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Variety Pack:

Gerber Basic Flavor Variety Pack at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Food Allergen Introduction:

Ready. Set. Food! Organic Baby Oatmeal at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best on a Budget:

Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Whole Wheat:

Gerber Whole Wheat Baby Cereal at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Rice:

Earth's Best Organic Infant Rice Cereal at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

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Pros

Certified organic
Fortified with iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins D, E and B vitamins
Twist-top with measuring cup built in

Cons

Plastic waste

Beech-Nut Whole Grain Infant Cereal is made of whole grain oat flour and is fortified with iron and other vitamins and minerals. It contains 6.8 milligrams of iron, providing 60% daily value, as well as 2 micrograms of vitamin D (20%), 40 milligrams of calcium (15%), 0.8 milligrams of zinc (25%), and B vitamins, including 25% daily value of both folate and B12. When feeding your baby fortified foods, be sure to consider all sources of fortified, enriched, or supplemental vitamins and minerals in their diet to ensure they are not exceeding their needs.

This cereal is stage 1, suitable for the introducing solids phase. It is important to note that while oats are naturally gluten-free, most oat products are labeled as wheat-containing due to possible trace amounts from cross-contamination with wheat-containing ingredients in the manufacturing process. If you have a family history of wheat or gluten allergies (including celiac disease), speak to a healthcare professional before introducing wheat-containing products to your baby as a first food, and consider starting with a single-grain rice cereal first.

Beech-Nut Whole Grain Infant Cereal is certified USDA Organic and non-GMO and comes at a more affordable price than other organic products on the market. While there is plastic waste from the container, it does provide a convenient built-in measuring cup.

Price at time of publication: $17 ($0.19 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Age: 4-6+ months (Stage One) | WIC Approved: Yes | Protein per serving: 2g | Fiber per serving: 2g | Iron per serving: 6.8mg (60% Daily Value)}

Good to Know

You may have noticed infant foods making the news in early February 2021. A Subcommittee within the U.S. House of Representatives reported that toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, were found in some infant foods.

This is not new information. Low levels of toxic heavy metals have been present in the global food supply forever, as they are naturally present in water and soil. Factors such as growth conditions, industrialization, and farming practices can increase heavy metals concentration in plant-based foods.

This document referred to very specific pureed and prepared baby foods across four product lines. The data reported was collected between 2017 and 2019, prior to August 2020, when the FDA provided finalized guidelines for inorganic arsenic levels in infant foods. It is worth noting that these companies have confirmed they are currently compliant with these 2020 guidelines.

In January 2023, the FDA released new action guidelines on further reducing heavy metals, particularly lead, in baby foods, as part of the Closer to Zero Initiative. They outline lower heavy metal thresholds for food companies producing products consumed by children two years and younger, including baby cereals and purees.

Ultimately, most pediatric health care providers will agree on the same word—variety. Having a variety of foods from various sources and manufacturers ensures that even if a single ingredient is high in toxic metals, that single ingredient will not be high in your child’s diet. It is important to note the primary products impacted by these findings are pureed baby foods and rice-containing products.

Amazon

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Pros

Single-grain and multigrain options
Fortified with iron, vitamins C and E, zinc, calcium, and B vitamins
Non-GMO

Cons

Added preservative

Rounding out the list is Gerber’s variety cereal pack. Gerber is the original in the baby food industry. Its products are high-quality, consistent, and readily available to consumers.

As discussed, providing various single whole grains, followed by multigrain products, is the safest and smartest way to introduce complementary foods to your little one. The Gerber variety pack contains four products: rice, oatmeal, whole wheat, and a multigrain option.

One drawback to this variety pack is that it does not come in an organic version. Organic versus non-organic is no different from a nutrition perspective, but there is a risk of pesticide residue exposure and higher arsenic levels in non-organic rice cereals. If you are alternating different cereals to ensure variety, according to the AAP, you do not need to worry about arsenic levels in your baby's rice cereal.

Price at time of publication: $25 ($0.42 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Age: Supported sitter - sitter (1-2nd food) | WIC Approved: Yes | Protein per serving: 1-2g | Fiber per serving: 0-1g | Iron per serving: 6.75mg (60% Daily Value)}

https://readysetfood.com/

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Pros

Developed by a team of pediatricians and allergists
Science-backed, safe and effective method for early food allergen introduction
USDA Organic

Cons

Expensive
Designed as a multistep program starting at 4+ months - may not be suited to all

Ready. Set. Food! is a science-backed, safe and effective method for early food allergen introduction, developed by a medical advisory board of pediatricians and allergists. The 2020-2025 USDA Dietary Guidelines, recommend early introduction to common, potentially allergenic foods within the first 12 months, and as early as 4 to 6 months of age to help prevent later onset food allergies. Ready. Set. Food! makes this process safe and easy for parents with a multi-stage program that first introduces potential allergic foods including eggs, peanuts and milk proteins, one at a time as early as 4+ months of age with pre-dosed bottle mix-ins.

Their oatmeal product is part of the Stage 3 Grow Stage for 6+ months of age, which introduces nine top allergens in small doses. The oatmeal comes in a variety of flavors including Original, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato Cinnamon, Banana Apple, Peanut Butter Banana, and more. These products are USDA certified Organic and iron-fortified with 8 milligrams per serving (72% Daily Value).

It is important to note that this should not be a first food, but considered in the context of Ready. Set. Food!'s multi-step, allergy introduction program, or as a later food, after the top allergens including eggs, peanuts, tree-nuts, diary, wheat and soy have been introduced individually.

Price at time of publication: $10 ($0.66 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Age: 6+ months | WIC Approved: No | Protein per serving: 4g | Fiber per serving: 1g | Iron per serving: 8mg (72% Daily Value)}

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Pros

Likely already in your pantry
Inexpensive
Naturally contains zinc

Cons

Not iron-fortified
Requires a blender or food processor

Oatmeal—an affordable, family-favorite pantry staple—can be a great option for your baby. Just cook the oats as you normally do, toss the oatmeal into a blender, pulse several times until you achieve the smooth consistency your baby requires, and there you have it—baby cereal. Oatmeal is a wonderful whole grain containing protein, fiber, and minerals, including phosphorus and zinc. Like iron, zinc becomes insufficient in maternal breast milk at six months. Therefore, if exclusively breastfeeding, including an oatmeal-based cereal is a great addition.

Keep in mind that it is not iron-fortified, so you may want to accompany it with a supplement or an iron-fortified option. Talk to your healthcare provider to come up with the best plan for ensuring your baby meets their iron requirements.

Old Fashioned Quaker Oats is a budget-friendly option that the whole family can enjoy. You can simply modify the consistency when serving it to your baby. It may just take a few additional steps compared to other baby cereal options.

Price at time of publication: $26 ($0.22 per 1/4 cup serving)

^{Key Specs:
Age:4+ months (blended to desired consistency) | WIC Approved: Yes | Protein per serving: 2g | Fiber per serving: 2g | Iron per serving: 2mg (10% Daily Value)}

Amazon

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Pros

Fortified with iron, vitamins C and E, zinc, calcium, and B vitamins
Non-GMO
Single-grain, whole wheat option

Cons

Added preservative

Gerber is one of the few brands that makes a single-ingredient whole wheat cereal. This is notably important as it is recommended to introduce one new food at a time. Wheat is considered a major allergen, so introducing a whole wheat single-ingredient product can help establish whether or not your baby has a food allergy early on.

Earlier, we mentioned that the simpler the ingredient list, the better. Gerber is extensively fortified when compared to some others on this list. The Gerber Whole Wheat cereal is fortified with iron, vitamins C and E, zinc, calcium, and six different B vitamins on its ingredient list.

When considering a baby food that is a single-ingredient product, it is important to remember that supplemental iron should be prioritized, and vitamin C is an added bonus to aid in iron absorption. Fortifications on top of those two are helpful to some but not necessary as your baby will also be consuming either breast milk or formula as their main nutrition source.

Oftentimes, additives are supplemented in food products to extend their shelf life. Some experts feel that certain additives, such as potassium phosphate, should be avoided when it comes to infant foods. If you are comfortable with this additive, Gerber Whole Wheat makes for a great whole-grain option when choosing infant cereals.

Price at time of publication: $26 ($0.57 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Age: 4-6+ months (Sitter - 2nd Foods) | WIC Approved: Yes | Protein per serving: 1g | Fiber per serving: 1g | Iron per serving: 5mg (45% Daily Value)}

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Pros

Iron-fortified
Certified organic
Single-grain

Cons

Rice is higher in arsenic than other grains
Pricier than non-organic options

When it comes to selecting the best rice cereal for your infant, try to prioritize both variety and organic options. We recommend including a variety of grains and cereals, so if you choose to include rice in your child’s diet, remember to switch it up by including other tolerated options on different days, such as oatmeal, quinoa, or a multigrain cereal.

When selecting a rice cereal, organic choices inherently have lower levels of heavy metals. Rice is most at risk of being contaminated with arsenic due to its production method, the soil it is grown in, and the water rinsing process. Both organic and non-organic baby rice cereal will contain some arsenic, though organic picks contain lower levels of this heavy metal. Keep in mind that feeding your baby rice cereal is a good option, but it should be one of a variety of infant cereals your baby consumes.

Earth's Best Organic Rice Cereal is a trusted product that is non-GMO and iron-fortified.

Price at time of publication: $5 ($0.62 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Age: 4-6+ months (Stage 1) | WIC Approved: Yes | Protein per serving: 1g | Fiber per serving: 0g | Iron per serving: 5mg (45% Daily Value)}

What to Know About Arsenic in Rice

A concern that has been raised about infant rice cereal is the detection of arsenic. Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil and water—one that cannot be eliminated. Rice, in particular, absorbs arsenic from the soil and water used to grow it. In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first released a warning about the level of inorganic arsenic present in rice products, including popular infant cereals. Understandably, this led to concern among parents. A 2020 follow-up from the FDA released guidance for the industry on an acceptable level of arsenic, consistent with the AAPs recommendation. The FDA is continuing to test and monitor arsenic levels in various infant foods available on the market. Of note, the FDA still recommends iron-fortified rice cereal as a good option for your baby, as long as you are also feeding your baby a variety of other foods.

How We Selected

Lauren Cohen, MS, RD, LDN, and Brittany Scanniello, RD, consulted with trusted peers in the pediatric healthcare system and referenced multiple studies and papers. Those experts included:

Nurse practitioner Annemarie Hofmeister, FNP
Consultative pediatrician at Nemours Daniel Sahm, MD,

They looked to the American Academy of Pediatrics for infant feeding guidelines and recommendations and the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Centers for Disease Control for updates on food handling and practices. They used their experience in clinical practice as pediatric dietitians to inform their category-specific choices and further researched baby cereal ingredients by diving deeper into published clinical research.

What to Look for in a Baby Cereal

Variety

Once you know your baby tolerates a variety of different grains, be sure to mix it up! Rotate through various whole grains and even rotate through product lines. Each brand of baby cereal is made with different grains (oats, rice, quinoa, barley, etc.). Each grain has different nutrient ratios, making it even more important to introduce variety. Not only will this increase your child's exposure to different tastes and textures, but it will also provide a variety of nutrients and decrease exposure to various heavy metals.

Simplicity

The fewer ingredients in a product, the better. Babies do not need us to increase food's palatability with added ingredients and preservatives. They need whole foods in their most natural state. This is an instance where more is not necessarily better.

Always change up your grains. Rotate through various whole grains and even rotate through product lines. Not only will this increase your child's exposure to different tastes and textures, but it will also provide a variety of nutrients and decrease exposure to various heavy metals.

Ideally, these products would have only three ingredients—grains, iron, and vitamin C.

Key Nutrients

It is important to look for iron-fortified cereal, as a baby’s iron stores start to deplete at 6 months of age. Other nice-to-have ingredients include vitamin C to aid in total iron absorption, as well as vitamin D (if exclusively breastfeeding). Formula-fed infants will likely be receiving enough vitamin D from their fortified infant formula.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should baby cereal be an infant's first food?

Baby cereal can certainly be a great first food for your infant, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start with whatever age-appropriate food you choose, whether it be baby cereal, purees of fruits or veggies, or soft fruits and vegetables.
When can babies have cereal?

Daniel Sahm, MD, says, “I recommend starting baby cereals between 4 and 6 months when babies display adequate head control and can safely eat and digest solid foods. I typically recommend iron-fortified cereals to help increase—and sometimes replace—iron stores.”
It is also important to ensure that your child is able to sit supported. You might want to look for your child showing interest in eating, such as watching a parent eat or grabbing at food. Work with a pediatric healthcare provider to decide the best time to start solids based on your baby's growth, development, and needs.
How should baby cereal be introduced?

Once you have chosen which single ingredient product of choice to introduce first, start with 1-2 tablespoons and mix with either breast milk or formula to the desired consistency. This is typically a thicker milk-like texture. Begin introducing one to two times per day as tolerated. After three to five days of your first single-ingredient cereal, you can introduce a different grain or food. Continue this pattern to provide a variety of tastes, textures, and nutrients. This technique allows you to identify any allergies if one were to arise, as well as ensure your baby an array of vital nutrients.
Can I put cereal in my baby's bottle?

It is not recommended to add cereal to your baby’s bottle unless advised by your pediatrician or another healthcare provider. Historically, providers would recommend adding cereal to a baby’s bottle to help with reflux or fussiness. The AAP no longer recommends this practice, as it can increase the risk of choking or cause an increased rate of weight gain. One exception would be if advised by a Speech Pathologist to thicken feeds if a baby has trouble swallowing thin liquids.
When can babies have rice cereal?

Rice is a staple in many cultures and is often affordable and convenient. Rice cereal is safe to consume during the early stages of introducing solid food as part of a varied, healthy diet. Since rice has a higher risk of arsenic contamination than other grains, it is important to ensure it is not the only food your baby is eating.
When starting solids, infants are generally consuming less than 3 tablespoons per day. Having a variety of foods from various sources and manufacturers ensures that even if a single ingredient is higher in toxic metals, that single ingredient will not be high in your child’s diet.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Lauren Cohen, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a specialization in pediatric nutrition. She works as a clinical dietitian at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children and is a regular contributor to KidsHealth.com and the Nemours Promise Blog through Nemours Children Health System.

Additional reporting by Brittany Scanniello.

As a Registered Dietitian, Brittany Scanniello uses her clinical expertise to cut through marketing claims and get straight to the science. These are all products that she has researched, vetted, and would recommend to her own clients in private practice as well as include in the diet of her two young daughters.

The 9 Best Baby Bottles for Gas of 2023

Best Overall

Beech-Nut Oatmeal, Whole Grain Baby Cereal

Good to Know

Best Variety Pack

Gerber Baby Cereal Basic Flavor Variety Pack

Best for Food Allergen Introduction

Ready. Set. Food! Organic Baby Oatmeal

Best on a Budget

Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Best Whole Wheat

Gerber Whole Wheat Baby Cereal

Best Rice

Earth's Best Organic Infant Rice Cereal

What to Know About Arsenic in Rice