Easy Guide for Making Homemade Baby Cereals

As parents, we all want the very best for our little ones, especially when it comes to their nutrition. Introducing your baby to solid foods is a milestone, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of preparing wholesome meals from scratch. Homemade baby cereals, in particular, are a fantastic starting point on this culinary journey.

By crafting your baby's first foods at home, you not only ensure their meals are free from additives and preservatives but also infuse every spoonful with love and care. Today, we are sharing the making of homemade baby cereals, offering you simple yet nutritious recipes that will set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating habits and ensure the very best nourishment for your precious bundle of joy.

You can easily make your own infant cereal at home using grains that are already in your pantry. Not only is this much less expensive than buying infant cereal at the store, but it can also be the more clean and nutritious option.


How to Make your own Baby Cereal

¼–2 cups uncooked grain (such as oats, wheat, or brown rice)

1. Place up to 2 cups grain into the coffee grinder, blender, or grain mill container, then secure with the lid.

2. Grind until the grain is uniformly ground into a powdery cereal.

3. You may want to stop and give the container a toss or stir with a spoon to make sure the whole batch gets evenly ground.

4. Pour into an airtight container or plastic bag. Then label with the name and date. Ground grains last up to 3 months in a cool pantry or freezer.


Grains that Make Tasty Cereal

Barley, brown rice, buck wheat, bulgur, millet, oats, quinoa, wheat berries. You can either choose one grain or can mix two or more for making different taste and textures.


2 Ways to Cook Homemade Infant Cereal

Traditional method

1. In a saucepan, heat water to boiling. Reduce the temperature to low, and slowly add cereal, stirring constantly to prevent lumping. If you can’t stir constantly because you’re holding your baby, then just slowly add the cereal in a steady stream, then briskly stir with a whisk to break up any clumps.

2. Cover, leaving a small air vent, and simmer until the cereal is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in breast milk or formula to add creaminess and thin the consistency. As with all food, cool before serving to baby. note: As the cereal sits, it will thicken. Add additional liquid if you need to just before serving.


Overnight Stove Top Method

1. Just before bed, bring the appropriate amount of water to a boil. Then mix in the infant cereal.

2. Turn off the burner, cover, and let the cereal soak overnight. When you awake in the morning, the cereal will be ready to eat cold. If you want to serve it warm, simply turn the burner on low to heat.


Cooking Guide for Infant Cereal

Cereal                                   Amount                          Water                          Cooking Time                   Yield

Barley                                    1/2 Cup                          2 Cups                             20 Minutes                    1^1/2 Cups
Brown Rice                            1/2 Cup                          2 Cups                            15 Minutes                     1^3/4 Cups
Buckwheat                             1/2 Cup                          2 Cups                            10 Minutes                     1^2/3 Cups
Bulgur                                    2/3 Cup                          2^1/2 Cups                         7 Minutes                      1^1/2 Cups
Millet                                      1/2 Cup                          2 Cups                             10 Minutes                    1^1/2 Cups
Oats                                       1/2 Cup                          2 Cups                             20 Minutes                    1^1/2 Cups
Quinoa                                   1/2 Cup                          1^1/2 Cups                         12 Minutes                    1^1/2 Cups
Wheat Berries                        1/2 Cup                          2 Cups                             20 Minutes                    1^1/3 Cups


The simple act of creating these nutritious, homemade meals carries a depth of meaning. It's a nurturing gesture, a testament to your commitment to your child's well-being, and a way to introduce them to the wonders of real, wholesome ingredients without any preservatives and added sugar which is filled in store bought infant cereals.