Best Baby Cereal Brands: 2022 Parent Guide

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When your baby reaches 4-6 months of age, you may consider introducing cereal as your baby’s first food. Cereal is a logical choice because many of them are iron-fortified, a key nutrient for baby, and cereals are low risk when it comes to allergens. However, there are many different baby cereals on the market, and not all are created equal. It can be confusing to figure out what the best baby cereal might be for your child! That’s where this post comes in. In this post I outline the best baby cereal brands, as well as answer all of your questions about the types of baby cereal, which is the best, and the potential benefits and risks of starting with this first solid food.

Benefits Of Baby Cereal

High in Fiber and Essential Nutrients: Depending on the type of cereal you choose for your baby, you are providing them with a boost of fiber and nutrients. Many cereals are fortified with iron and other vitamins. Whole grains are also an excellent source of fiber, and oats in particular are an excellent source of magnesium and zinc.

Easily Digestible: When providing baby with their first food, you want to choose something that is gentle on their tummy. Baby cereals made with a single grain are easily digestible, and help baby feel fuller longer, while preventing gas.

Blends Easily With Other Foods: Blend your baby cereals with breast milk, baby formulas, or simple vegetable or fruit purees for added nutritional value. This is a simple way to introduce new foods to baby.

Prevents Constipation: When baby starts new foods, they may experience constipation as their tummies get used to new foods. Most baby cereal is rich in fiber which helps relieve constipation.

Boost Immune System: Some types of baby cereals are good sources of protein, such as oats. Oats contain beta-glucan that help boost infection-fighting blood cells. It also contains selenium and zinc, two important nutrients for warding off infection and boosting baby’s immune system.

Types Of Baby Cereal

• Rice: While this was traditionally used as the first food for babies, these single-grain cereals are now something you should limit or avoid with your baby, due to health concerns regarding the arsenic levels found in these cereals. Rice cereal is also pretty limited nutritionally, so it’s not a great choice unless your pediatrician specifically asks you to start with rice cereal due to concern over allergic reactions to other grains.
• Oatmeal: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, oatmeal cereal is a safer choice than rice cereal for babies first solid food. It is also gentle on your baby’s tummy, and gluten-free, and allergen friendly. Gluten-free oatmeal can be a good option for babies with celiac disease as well.
• Millet: Another gluten free option, millet is made from the seeds of some types of grasses. It is nutritious with vitamin B, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron, and a good source of protein. It’s also easily digestible and less allergenic than other foods. 
• Quinoa: A high protein seed that is packed with nutrients and high in protein. It has a a full amino acid profile meaning that it contains all of the amino acids needed for your body in one food source. It’s also gluten-free, and less allergenic.
• Spelt: A form of wheat, this grain is not gluten-free, and can cause problems for babies that potentially have a gluten allergy. It’s easily digestible for those without a gluten allergy.
• Barley: Barley is packed with key vitamins and minerals like magnesium, protein and folate. Its high amounts of calcium can help strengthen bones as your baby grows, protect organs (like the liver) and boost immunity. This whole grain is gluten-free.
• Semolina: A type of grain made from durum wheat. It has a golden color, and a fine texture. It is not gluten-free, but is easily digestible for those that do not have a gluten sensitivity. It’s a good source of folate, protein, and iron.
• Multi-Grain (Oats, Spelt, Barley): Some cereal brands make multi-grain cereals. These use a combination of the grains above.

Why Is Rice Cereal Bad For Baby?

Rice cereal was widely used as the first solid food introduced to babies. However, in recent years there have been concerns about the levels of arsenic in baby rice cereal, and the safety of providing this food to infants.

In 2012, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) warned about high levels of inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products. In high doses, arsenic can be lethal, and in small doses it can damage the brain, nerves, blood vessels, skin, and increase the risk of birth defects and cancer. Both white rice and brown rice contain arsenic, with brown rice having higher concentrations.

The FDA’s concern is that studies have shown babies exposed to inorganic arsenic, including exposures before they are born, have a higher risk of learning problems. The infant and toddler rice cereals tested by the FDA had an average arsenic content of 103 ppb. Products made from brown rice are particularly high in arsenic.

As a result, the FDA and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) have set forth guidelines with regard to the amount of rice cereal to give to baby, even if you are using organic rice cereal.

FDA and AAP Recommendations for Cereal & Rice Cereal

1. Babies need only breast milk or infant formula until 4 to 6 months of age.
2. Babies and toddlers should have varied grains in their diet. Do not rely on rice cereal only as their grain. In addition, as parents be aware of other foods they may be getting rice from such as puffs.
3. If pregnant, vary the types of grains you are consuming, and limit the amount of rice you eat.
4. If preparing rice, cook it in 6-10 parts water, per 1 part rice. Then drain the excess water. Cooking it in this way will reduce the arsenic levels by 40-60%.
5. Limit your infant’s rice cereal intake to no more than 1/4 cup per day.

Top 5 Tips To Find The Best Baby Cereals

Fortified With Iron

Babies at six months of age need more iron, because their iron stores will decrease around 6 months of age. This is especially true for babies who are exclusively breast fed, since some baby formulas are fortified with iron. When choosing a baby cereal, take a look at the iron content. Many cereals are naturally a good source of iron.

Organic Baby Cereal

Always buy organic products and organic baby food when possible. There are many organic baby cereal options available. Organic baby cereals have less to no harmful pesticides. The EU has higher standards when it comes to organic farming, however, buying organic, even when made in the United States is a safer choice. Infants are more highly susceptible to the potentially harmful effects of pesticides in their foods because they are so small.

Non-GMO

This means that your cereal does not include any genetically modified ingredients. The long term effects of consuming foods made with GMOs are unknown. Therefore, it’s a good idea to stay away from them. In addition, GMOs increase weeds, and thus lead to increased use and more harmful synthetic pesticides, which leads to other health problems.

Variety of Nutrients

Look for a cereal that provides your infant with a variety of nutrients. If you are choosing an organic, non-GMO, simple grain, that has one single ingredient, you are providing your child with varied nutrients such as iron, folic acid, B vitamins, vitamin E, protein, and other vitamins and nutrients. While all cereals have vitamins, they don’t all have the same vitamins. Consider providing your infant with a variety of different cereals after they get used to one.

Simple Ingredients

Before buying any cereal, look at the ingredient label. Make sure that there are no artificial flavors, artificial colors, added fats, sugars, or added salts. Choose a cereal with simple ingredients. Single grain cereals are best to start with, and then as baby gets used to those, you can consider a multi-grain cereal. Most cereals should have only one ingredient, or a few if it is a multi-grain cereal.

Gluten-Free

While not necessary, you may want to consider starting your baby with a gluten-free cereal to avoid an allergic reaction. While not all babies will have an allergen to gluten, it’s best to give them something that will be more gentle on their digestive track.

Signs Your Baby Is Ready For Solid Foods

As mentioned above, you should not introduce any type of solid foods to your child before the age of 4 months, and you may want to wait longer to be sure they are ready and can tolerate the new food. Here are the the signs that your baby is ready for solid foods.

• Baby has good head and neck control.
• Can sit up on their own.
• Lost the tongue thrust reflex. Does not automatically push foods out with their tongue.
• Baby has developed their “pincer” grasp, can pick up food with thumb and forefinger.
• Shows interest in food when you are eating, and reaches out to grab food.

Baby Cereal FAQs

Top 9 Best Baby Cereal Brands

I recommend buying organic baby cereal whenever possible — to reduce the risk of injecting harmful pesticides. All of the brands on this list make organic baby cereal!

Note: Earth’s Best organic infant cereal is a popular choice for baby cereals, but because many of Earth’s Best’s products and cereals tested high in heavy metals, I chose not to include them in this list. Some of Happy Baby’s baby food tested high in heavy metals, but their cereal seems to be ok (which is why they are on this list!)

I hope this guide to organic baby cereal has answered your questions, and helped you make an informed choice about the type of cereal you’d like to start your baby on.

Check Out These Other Helpful Baby Food Guides!

• How to Make Homemade Baby Food
• How to Store Homemade Baby Food
• 10 Must Have Baby Food Recipes
• Best Organic Baby Formula
• Best Vitamins for Kids

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Sources

• Amara Organic Foods: 5 Benefits of Oatmeal Cereal
• WebMD: Health Benefits of Semolina
• Taste of Home: Oatmeal vs. Rice Cereal
• Harvard Health: FDA Warns Parents About Rice Cereal
• WebMD: Is it safe to put cereal in your baby’s bottle?