How to Make Baby Cereal

The first food your baby will eat is baby cereal. Cereals are traditionally a fine powder that you mix with breast milk or formula to make a pleasing texture your baby will enjoy. You can use a food processor or coffee grinder to make your own cereals, to control the quality of your baby's food and save money.

Things You'll Need

• Food processor
• Oatmeal
• Breast milk or formula

Instructions

1. Start with a grain, such as oatmeal or rice, and place it in your food processor or coffee grinder. Grind it into a fine powder.

2. Divide the uncooked powder into individual serving sizes and store them in sterile containers for later use. Keep aside enough to make a single, fresh serving of cereal for your baby.

3. Boil a small amount of water, approximately 1 cup for each 1/4 cup of ground cereal.

4. Add the cereal to the boiling water and stir constantly until it's cooked. Allow the cereal to cool, then add breast milk or formula for a smooth consistency. Serve warm, but make sure it's not too hot for your baby.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use oatmeal, buy whole oats instead of instant or quick-cooking oats.

• If you opt to purchase a coffee grinder, use it only for your baby cereal. Otherwise, you might accidentally feed your child caffeinated baby cereal.

• Discard any uneaten cereal immediately once it's been cooked and mixed with breast milk or formula.