This Is the Best Baby Cereal to Start With
Updated: Jan. 05, 2022
Baby seems ready. But you—not so much! Just what IS the best baby food cereal to start with? We've gathered nine of the most trusted brands to give your baby a healthy start.
Gerber Probiotic Rice Banana Apple Cereal
You may have noticed that more and more baby foods are boasting probiotics. With good reason! Probiotics can help with colic, eczema and give your baby’s immune system a boost.
This probiotic rice cereal from Gerber ($22 for 6) is made with real fruit, and is also great for stage 1 baby foods, but before you start feeding your baby cereal, be sure to check out our ultimate guide on introducing solids to your baby.
NurturMe Organic Quinoa Baby Cereal
If you exclusively breastfeed and you want to introduce an all-natural cereal, you might want to try NurturMe Organic Quinoa Baby Cereal ($6).
The best baby food cereal to start with breast milk is one that’s as close to homemade as you can get—and this one is organic, and free of GMOs, additives, salt, added sugar and gluten.
Psst…Â This is how you know when to start feeding baby solid food.
Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal
Although rice cereal is a traditional first food, many babies prefer the taste and texture of oatmeal cereal.
Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Oatmeal Cereal ($3 for Amazon Prime members) is made from whole grain oatmeal, and the brand promises no harmful synthetic pesticides are used in the growing of their food products.
Serve this alongside the rest of your family’s favorite oatmeal breakfast.
Healthy Times Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice Cereal
Healthy Times Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice Cereal ($6) is made with organic whole grain brown rice flour.
According to the brand, whole grain flours undergo minimal processing, which ensures none of the nutritional fiber and vitamins are lost. That’s good news for baby’s development!
WutsupBaby Organic Apple Banana Quinoa Baby Cereal
Some parents are passing on grains and reaching for quinoa cereals like this one ($22 for 16 travel packs), thanks to quinoa’s health benefits.
Quinoa is rich in protein, iron, and magnesium and has almost twice as much fiber as some grains—making it great for baby’s digestion.
Read up on other high-fiber foods for kids.
Happy Baby Organic Oatmeal Cereal
You know this cereal ($25 for a pack of 6) is a simple and natural recipe, because it only has three ingredients! They’re listed right on the package.
If you’re having trouble getting baby to eat oatmeal cereal, add a little flavor by mixing in some pureed apples or other fruit.
Healthy Times Organic Whole Grain Barley Baby Cereal
Barley is another super grain rich in vitamins and nutrients. If baby doesn’t like the taste of oatmeal or rice cereal, give this barley cereal a try ($10).
It’s great for sensitive tummies—free of dairy and soy, it’s easy to digest.
Kitchdee Organic Sprouted Multigrain Cereal
This Sprouted Multigrain Baby Cereal ($15 for 2) is made with sprouted lentils and nuts.
According to the brand, the cereal is made by “soaking and air-drying the grains before crushing them into nutrient-rich flour.” This process is designed to encourage nutrient absorption that won’t trouble baby’s tummy.
Happy Baby Organic Multigrain Cereal
Highly recommended by reviewers, your baby will love the taste of Happy Baby Organic Multigrain Cereal ($9).
And mom will love it too, because it’s enriched with DHA for brain and eye development; plus iron, vitamins and minerals that are essential for your little one’s growth. (Kind of like this superfood for baby brain development.)
