5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Baby’s Oatmeal Cereal

Oatmeal cereal is a quick and easy go to breakfast for our little one at our house. I like that it doesn’t take much prep time, is packed with iron and since I make it with breastmilk – it has all the added goodies of that liquid gold.

But I try not to just feed my son plain ole oatmeal cereal every time. I mean, I would get tired of eating it the same way all the time. (Although, he’s such a good eater, I’m not sure he would care one way or the other as long as he’s getting to eat.)

I’ve found these are some easy ways to spruce up his oatmeal cereal with some added flavors, calories, and nutrients.

1. Purees.

Add purees to the oatmeal cereal. This is an incredibly easy way to add to the cereal. Whether you have homemade pureed baby food, pouches, or jars – its easy to add a few ounces of purees. My top choices are organic apples, bananas, pears, pumpkin.

2. Frozen Fruits.

Add frozen fruits, diced in small pieces to the oatmeal cereal. Now that my baby is eating more table foods and textures, its easy to chop up frozen fruits and add to the oatmeal cereal. I can chop them frozen and they thaw quickly when stirred into the oatmeal cereal. I like to add fruits like organic blueberries, peaches, or strawberries.

3. Spices.

Incorporating spices into baby’s food is a great way to introduce varied flavors. I like to sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on my little one’s oatmeal cereal…and it smells soo yummy!

4. Ground Flaxseed.

I like to grind whole flaxseed into a fine powder and keep it stored in a jar to sprinkle on all the foods I can. Its especially easy to add them to oatmeal cereal. Ground flaxseed is high in plant omega-3 essential fatty acids. These “good” fats that are essential for a growing baby’s brain and body. 

5. Nut Butter.

Some people choose to wait until after 12 months of age before introducing allergen foods such as nut butters. I personally chose to introduce almond butter and peanut butter around 6 months of age. I spent countless hours researching and discussed with our pediatrician before proceeding of course. It was successful and is a great way to again add fats, calories and protein. Nut butters can be a choking hazard if presented in a “glob.” I like to mix in approximately a teaspoon size amount in the oatmeal cereal and stir until well incorporated. It mixes well when warmed, which is traditionally how I prepare it anyways. (Who likes cold oatmeal anyways?? Yuck!)

Let me know what you like to add to your baby’s oatmeal cereal!

Also, if you’re looking for another breakfast idea for your baby, check out this easy 3 ingredient, iron packed recipe for baby pancakes. My son loves them and gobbles them up as fast as I can put them on his tray.