Generally, babies are considered ready to eat solid food when they enter the age of 4 to 6 months. In particular, oatmeal is a perfect option to introduce to your child as their first solid food. To familiarize your child's tongue and digestive tract with the taste and texture of oatmeal, try mixing it with baby's milk first, such as Similac. To overcome the problem of stomach acid in children, oatmeal can even be used to thicken the texture of formula milk, you know! The safest way to mix oatmeal with Similac milk is to mix the two together in a bowl until well combined. If your child has acid reflux and is approved by the doctor, start by adding a little oatmeal to the bottle of formula. Most importantly, always discuss the desire to give oatmeal to children with the doctor, yes!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Bowl of Oatmeal
Step 1. Use baby oatmeal that has been processed to form a fine-textured powder
Remember, always give food that is intended for babies, especially if the child is just starting to eat solid food. Don't worry, you can easily find baby oatmeal on baby gear shelves in supermarkets or online stores. Generally, baby oatmeal has been processed into very fine grains to reduce the risk of choking.
Variation:
Having trouble finding baby-only oatmeal? Use a food processor or spice grinder to process the rolled oats until they form a very fine powder. Make sure the oatmeal powder is free from lumps before being processed into baby food, yes!
Step 2. Put 4-5 tablespoons of Similac milk in a bowl
Use a spoon or measuring cup to measure out the portion of milk, then mix the milk with the water according to the instructions on the package, if necessary. Stir well the milk solution until there are no lumps.
Some types of Similac milk can be consumed directly without the need to be dissolved in water. However, if what you have is powdered milk or very concentrated liquid milk, make sure you add enough water to make the milk more runny. To make the process easier, just follow the serving instructions listed on the milk packaging
Step 3. Add 1 tablespoon of baby oatmeal to the bowl
Measure the recommended amount of oatmeal into a bowl. Then, use a spoon to stir the oatmeal until it's completely mixed with the baby's formula. Remember, the texture of the oatmeal solution should be thin to make it easier for the child to swallow.
Add oatmeal just before feeding the child. Do not let the oatmeal sit for too long so that the texture is not too thick. If the texture of the oatmeal is too thick, the chances of your child choking when swallowing it will increase
Tip:
There's no need to warm the oatmeal, especially since oatmeal served cold doesn't have the potential to burn your child's mouth.
Step 4. Sit the baby upright in your chair or lap
Since an upright sitting position can help your child swallow oatmeal without choking, secure your baby's position by sitting him in a high chair or on your lap. Make sure the child maintains this position while eating to prevent choking.
Remember, a child's ability to swallow food is still in a developmental stage. That's why, the possibility of a child choking is actually still very high, so to reduce this risk, you need to sit up as straight as possible when eating
Step 5. Use a small spoon to feed formula milk that has been mixed with oatmeal to the child
Unfortunately, spoons intended for adults can hurt a baby's mouth. Therefore, look for a spoon that is very small and the edges are not sharp.
Some types of baby spoons have a rubber coating that makes them safer to use
Method 2 of 3: Thicken Formula Milk in Bottles
Step 1. Be careful when giving bottled oatmeal
Ideally, oatmeal is given to children using a bowl with the help of a spoon. However, if your child has acid reflux afterward, your doctor may allow you to give them bottled oatmeal. Most importantly, make sure you do this method with the supervision and permission of a doctor, yes!
If you want to mix oatmeal into bottled formula, make sure the amount of formula used is much more than the amount of oatmeal. If the texture of the milk is too thick, surely the child will have difficulty eating it
Step 2. Buy baby oatmeal that is powdered and has a very fine texture
Since your child is not able to swallow foods that are too solid or thick, make sure you only give products that are specifically intended for babies. This means that you will have to buy oatmeal specifically for babies at the supermarket or online.
Variation:
Make your own baby oatmeal by grinding rolled oats into a very fine powder. Make sure the oatmeal powder is free of lumps before giving it to your child!
Step 3. Follow the instructions on the Similac milk packaging
Choose Similac milk recommended by a doctor or a product that is best tolerated by the child. After that, follow the instructions on the milk packaging to make it. Although it really depends on the type of milk you use, in general you will need to:
- Mix the powdered Similac milk with a little water.
- Dilute the Similac milk solution with enough water.
- Pour the diluted Similac milk into a milk bottle.
Step 4. Add 1 teaspoon of oatmeal to the Similac milk
Use a measuring spoon to pour the oatmeal into the baby's bottle. In particular, pour 1 tsp. oatmeal first and observe the child's tolerance level to the amount. Or, you can also follow the instructions given by the doctor.
If your doctor permits, add a dose of oatmeal. In general, the maximum amount of oatmeal you can use is 1 tsp. oatmeal for every 1 tbsp. Formula milk
Step 5. Use a Y-shaped nipple or a teat with crossed holes so that the thicker-textured formula can come out more easily
Because the texture of formula milk will thicken after being mixed with oatmeal, of course the child needs to use a teat with a wider hole to consume it. Fortunately, these days you can buy a Y-shaped pacifier or one that has crossed holes; both are able to facilitate the process of removing milk with a thicker texture from the bottle. To use it, simply attach the pacifier of your choice to the mouth of the bottle before the child consumes the milk.
- You can buy these pacifier variants at various online stores or offline stores that sell baby products.
- Or, you can also make your own by cutting the tip of the pacifier available at home. However, make sure the hole is not too big so the child doesn't choke! Also wash the pacifier properly before use.
Step 6. Shake the bottle to mix the oatmeal with the formula
Manually shake the bottle to mix all the ingredients in it well.
No need to warm the milk bottle. However, if desired or if your child prefers it, you can soak the bottle in hot water to warm up the thickened formula
Step 7. Monitor the child while formula feeding him
Carry your child while giving thickened formula milk and monitor his condition to make sure he doesn't choke, especially because choking is a risk factor and can be dangerous to the child's health and should be avoided.
Method 3 of 3: Knowing a Safe Way to Give Oatmeal to Babies
Step 1. Discuss the desire to give oatmeal to your child with the doctor
Although oatmeal is considered a healthy food for children, you should not give it until the child is 4 months old. In addition, always discuss the desire to give solid foods to children, however little it is, with the doctor. Follow the doctor's advice!
Overcoming stomach acid disorders in children is not easy and can be a source of stress for new mothers. Therefore, do not hesitate to try various methods to overcome it if you experience it. However, understand that the disorder can worsen if the child receives oatmeal intake. To prevent unwanted things from happening, see a doctor and discuss recommendations for treatment and diet that are most suitable for children
Step 2. Do not give too much food to the child
Since oatmeal contains calories, adding it to formula will of course increase the calorie intake. So that the child's weight does not increase excessively, try to consult the most appropriate serving portion to the doctor.
- Giving solid foods to children too early can increase the risk of obesity. Be careful!
- Don't worry, your doctor can confirm or rule out this possibility. If your child has trouble keeping food in his stomach (for example, he's always throwing up his food), there shouldn't be a risk of overeating and therefore, nothing to worry about.
Step 3. Do not add honey to oatmeal to prevent botulism or food poisoning
Remember, honey should not be given to children under 1 year old, especially because the bacteria in it can contaminate children's food.
Once your child reaches 1 year of age, discuss the possibility of introducing honey to your child with the doctor
Step 4. Start by giving one serving of oatmeal per day
Because children need time to get used to solid-textured foods, don't immediately replace their daily food with oatmeal! Instead, just give your child one serving of oatmeal per day to help your child get used to its taste and texture.
If your child responds positively to oatmeal, and if your doctor allows it, you can start mixing oatmeal with more food
Step 5. Be patient if your child is fussy or refuses the oatmeal you offer
Your child may need some time to get used to the taste and texture of the oatmeal! That's why, you can try mixing oatmeal with formula milk to speed up the habituation process. Remember, offer oatmeal to your child, but don't force your child to eat it.
Continue to offer oatmeal at mealtimes until your child is ready to eat it. When the child is ready, however, the interest in eating solid foods, including oatmeal, will come naturally
Warning
- Don't add oatmeal to your baby's bottle unless it's approved by your doctor.
- Giving oatmeal too early can harm a child's health. Therefore, always consult your doctor's wishes first, yes!
