Porridges and Cereals in Baby’s Diet: Pros and Cons

It is difficult to imagine another, more healthy product in baby food than porridge and cereals. Cereals are a real storehouse of vitamins and microelements, which are so necessary for a growing body.  Food like HiPP baby cereal is a great way to add many healthy micronutrients to your child’s diet. They are nutritious, contain a large number of essential microelements, are well absorbed, and promote digestion.

Benefits of Feeding a Baby Cereals and Porridge

HiPP recommends starting to introduce porridge into your baby’s diet at 5-6 months. And, although this happens gradually, the benefits of consuming such a diet are noticeable from the very beginning:

• Cereal products contain a large amount of carbohydrates, vitamins (group B, iron, zinc, copper, PP, etc.), minerals and vegetable proteins. Grains are an excellent source of energy, which is so necessary for babies of all ages. They provide the baby’s body with everything for proper work. It also helps little kids to fall asleep faster when their schedule is starting to change due to aging.
• HiPP baby cereal is easily digestible for babies, thanks to its delicate consistency. This facilitates the digestion process and reduces the load on the gastric system.
• The introduction of different flavors of cereals contributes to the development of the child’s taste preferences. Your child will be able to taste different dishes and find his favorite products.
• Cereals can be a step on the way to a fixed diet, which occurs with the introduction of solid food. They prepare the baby’s stomach system for this important step. This is exactly why most pediatricians recommend starting with cereals after breastfeeding.

The advantages of eating cereals are obvious – this is the very first step for a child in the transition to solid food. It is important to approach the choice of manufacturer responsibly, and choose cereals without sugar, flavors, dyes and preservatives. The best cereals will be those grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and plant growth stimulants. HiPP baby cereal combines all these qualities and a good taste that your child will like! 

Disadvantages of Choosing Cereals and Porridge to Feed a Baby

However, there are also some downsides to eating cereals and porridges. Unlike advantages, they are mostly individual for each baby. Here are the most frequently occurring problems with baby cereals:

• Cereals can cause allergic reactions in children, especially if they are introduced into the diet for the first time. This can cause swelling, rashes or other allergic symptoms. In this case, parents should choose other products, or even try to replace porridge with vegetable puree.
• Some children may refuse cereals and porridge, which can lead to feeding problems and the risk of food stasis. Then parents should choose another food product.
• It is important to choose high-quality and appropriate cereals and cereals, as some products may contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt or harmful additives that are not good for the child.
• Porridge needs to be properly stored and cooked. Violation of the conditions of cooking and storage can lead to the fact that the child will not receive enough trace elements from food. Incorrect proportions will leave the child hungry or cause constipation. Be sure to pay attention to the instructions on the packaging. Store packaging in dry, dark places. Do not leave the box in the refrigerator. Also, ready-made porridge should not be stored for a long time; usually the maximum storage time is no more than a day.

Always consult a pediatrician before introducing a new product into a child’s diet, and monitor the baby’s reaction to new food. It is important to remember that a child’s diet should be varied. HiPP baby cereal is a decent option for feeding your baby and providing him with needed vitamins for proper development.