Porridge (Oatmeal) Recipe 4 Ways, For Baby Led Weaning
Table of Contents
Porridge Is A Great Option For Baby-Led Weaning From 6 Months Of Age
My toddler loves porridge in the morning. He is literally pulling my arm off for it as he is so hungry. I found that making porridge and then having to explain to him that he would have to wait because It’s too hot was hard for him to understand.
Even if I gave him some berries or fruit to begin with while the porridge is cooling down he would eat them so fast it wouldn’t make any difference, does this happen to you too? Please tell me I’m not alone!
I taught him the “hot” baby sign language sign, which he picked up so that was good, but that didn’t solve him having to wait for his porridge.
The Process For Quick Oats
I then got experimenting in the kitchen with oat and milk quantities, I think this took me over a week of trial and error to get the perfect quantities for the recipe. It sounds so silly.. but I took this very seriously, anything to make my mornings as seamless as possible!
You could use a plant based milk too such as almond milk, oat milk or soya milk.
Once I had figured all of this out and the consistency of the oats and milk were perfect, my next job was making sure that I hit the perfect temperature from the microwave.
I know many people do not like using the microwave when it comes to their babies which I completely understand, this works well for me and I believe as long as you’re careful and you are only gently heating and not cooking in my eyes it is ok.
Over cooking in the microwave can remove nutrients from food, so you do have to be careful, but gentle heating is fine. I only ever heat 30-40 seconds in the microwave, so this is what I mean when I say gentle heating.
I was so pleased when the consistency and heat were finally perfect. It reminded me of Goldilocks and the three bears, “it was just right”.
The Benefits Of Oats
Firstly, rolled oats are highly nutritious and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They are an excellent source of dietary fibre, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut. Additionally, rolled oats provide a steady supply of energy, thanks to their complex carbohydrates, ensuring that your baby stays satiated for longer periods.
Furthermore, oats contain iron, which is crucial for your little one's cognitive development and overall growth. Lastly, their soft and easily malleable texture makes them perfect for baby-led weaning, allowing your baby to grasp and explore the food independently.
Incorporating rolled oats into your baby's diet not only offers a variety of nutrients but also encourages self-feeding and enhances their fine motor skills.
The Benefits Of Flaxseed
Flaxseed can be a beneficial addition to a baby's diet during the baby-led weaning process. Packed with essential nutrients, flaxseed provides a wealth of benefits for growing infants.
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed aids in brain development and supports the immune system. Furthermore, flaxseed is an excellent source of fibre, which promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
The soft texture of ground flaxseed makes it easy for babies to handle and consume independently, making it an ideal option for baby-led weaning.
However, it is essential to introduce flaxseed gradually, starting with a small quantity to ensure that your baby tolerates it well.
The Use Of Nut Butters In BLW
When it comes to introducing solids to your little one through baby-led weaning, the inclusion of 100% nut butters can be a game-changer.
Nut butters, made solely from nuts such as almonds, cashews, or peanuts, offer a wealth of nutritional benefits. Rich in healthy fats, protein these nutrient-dense spreads are excellent choices for your baby's diet.
The creamy texture of nut butters promotes self-feeding and can help develop your baby's fine motor skills. Additionally, these plant-based spreads are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium.
Just remember to check for any allergies beforehand and offer the nut butters in a safe and age-appropriate manner, such as spreading a thin layer on toast or mixing it into purees or porridge.
With the right precautions, incorporating 100% natural peanut butter or nut butters into your baby's diet can prove to be a delicious and healthy addition to their journey in baby-led weaning.
Bananas
Including bananas in a baby's diet during baby-led weaning can be a nutritious and delicious choice. Bananas are soft and easy to mash, making them a suitable option for babies who are just starting to explore solid foods.
Rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fibre, bananas can support a baby's overall growth and development. Their natural sweetness often appeals to babies, encouraging them to try new flavours and textures.
Additionally, bananas can be easily sliced into small, manageable pieces, allowing little ones to practice their self-feeding skills.
Whether served as a standalone snack or mixed into foods like pancakes or yogurt, the versatility of bananas makes them a wonderful addition to a baby-led weaning diet.
Cinnamon
Including cinnamon in a baby's diet during the baby-led weaning phase can offer both flavour and nutritional benefits.
Cinnamon is a warm and aromatic spice that adds a delightful taste to a variety of foods, making it a great option to introduce different flavours to your little one.
Apart from its pleasing taste, cinnamon also has potential health benefits. It contains antioxidants, which can support a baby's developing immune system.
Additionally, cinnamon has natural antimicrobial properties that may aid in promoting healthy digestion. However, it is important to introduce cinnamon gradually, in small amounts, to ensure that your baby tolerates it well.
I’m so glad this recipe works as it really does help me out in the mornings. Mornings can be hectic so anything to help with that is a winner from me and the whole family too!
I have included some flavoured porridge recipes too as I know my son loves fruit, so he loves these together, they are yummy too!
Ingredient information
Oats - I use rolled oat flakes as I find these absorb the milk the best. You can grind the oats to make an oat flour if you wanted a smooth consistency for your baby, perfect for weaning.
Whole milk - I use whole milk at the moment because of my son is under 2, but you can use any milk of your choice even a dairy free milk would then make this plant based.
Flaxseed - I always add a teaspoon of flaxseed into my toddlers porridge, The benefits are that they are high In Protein, fibre and omega 3.
Banana - The perfect consistency for any age, packed full of potassium and perfect for weaning babies,
Cinnamon - As I have said before, and will probably keep on saying, stock up your spice cupboard. Cinnamon works perfectly with banana.
Plum - I really like plums, and this porridge reminds me of plum crumble! I love the way the porridge turns slightly pink!
Ginger - Plum and ginger work so well together, i’ve only added a little bit to the recipe, but it is great for this recipe! You can leave this out if you don’t want to add.
Apple - I always have the mini apples in the fridge for my son, so I used one of these. They do take a little longer to cook, but work great.
Hazelnut butter - If you can get your hands on it. So tasty and great for weaning. There are an array of nut butters and seed butters. Give them a try!
Serving suggestion
You can add your baby’s favourite fruit purée or stewed fruit, see recipe below! I like to add In some cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to flavour using spices.
You really can use what you prefer. See other toppings below. You could serve alongside banana sushi or a mango pot!
Another great oat recipe is my overnight oats recipe.
Storage instructions
Once the milk is added to the oats it can be left in the fridge for up to 2 days. Its best stored in an airtight container to keep fresh.
You can also freeze this as well for up to 2 months in the freezer in a large airtight container or portion the uncooked porridge up into smaller airtight containers.
Once you are ready to remove from the freezer, all you will ned to do is leave to thaw in the fridge in the container, once defrosted fully, heat in the same way. Once heated you will not be able to reheat.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Large airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Small airtight container - Just 180 ml storage capacity but very useful for leftovers and freezing small baby portions.
Saucepan - So many pan sets out there but I particularly like to use pans with a non-stick surface for ease of cleaning and ones that are suitable for different types of hob surface.
Mixing bowl - I like to use a stainless steel mixing bowl - they are usually lightweight and easy to clean.
Recipe | Porridge (Oatmeal) Recipe 4 Ways, For Baby Led Weaning
Makes 1 portion
Flaxseed
4 heaped tablespoons oats
100ml whole milk
1 teaspoon flaxseed
Makes 1 portion
Apple and Hazelnut
4 heaped tablespoons oats
100ml whole milk
1 mini apple
1/2 teaspoon hazelnut butter
Makes 1 portion
Banana and Cinnamon
4 heaped tablespoons oats
100ml whole milk
Half a medium banana
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Makes 1 portion
Plum and Ginger
4 heaped tablespoons oats
100ml whole milk
1 small plum
1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
Instructions
Put the oats and milk in a bowl and leave in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, add the flaxseeds, place the oats in the microwave for 40 seconds.
For the apple, peel and chop the whole apple and add to a saucepan with a splash of water. Cover and cook for approx 20 mins until soft. Blitz in a food processor and use half the purée in the porridge and mix. You can keep aside some of the apple segments and not purée if you wanted to keep as finger food for the day, or use as a garnish.
For the plums, same as the apple, chop, de stone (you can peel of you would like) I have left the skins, and add to a splash of water in a pan and stew for 20 minutes. Blitz in a food processor and add to the porridge and stir. Add garnish if you are using.
For the banana, mash the banana and add to the porridge along with the cinnamon and stir. Add garnish if you are using.
Double check not too hot and serve.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
If you wanted to make this recipe Vegan/Dairy free you just need to add your milk of choice and the recipe will work just as well.
Plant based milks that would work within this recipe are almond milk, soya milk and oat milk. It is best from 6 months old that the plant based milks are fortified. Do not use rice milk as this milk is not recommended until your baby is 5 years old.
Try adding a sprinkling of chia seeds into the porridge for extra nutrition.
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