SHOULD I START WITH RICE CEREAL?

Rice cereal is still often recommended as a first food, mainly because it’s fortified with iron and considered low allergenic. However, it would not be our recommendation. Why not? It’s a highly processed food, is actually not high in iron (and is non-haem iron which is less readily absorbed), low in other key nutrients, and can contribute to constipation due to the synthetic form of iron added. Plus, recent concerns about arsenic in rice cereal have made many parents question its safety.

Instead, we recommend offering nutrient-dense options like meat and iron-rich plant foods as your baby’s first foods. These will provide more bioavailable iron and other essential nutrients, like zinc, which are vital for your baby’s development.

For more information, check out our full blog on why rice cereal may not be the best option, and listen to our podcast episode for more tips on starting solids. Plus, for a comprehensive guide to starting solids, take a look at our book Milk to Meals.

• Read the full blog on Why We Don’t Recommend Rice Cereal
• Listen to our Starting Solids podcast episode
• Get the Milk to Meals book