Best Baby Cereal 2026: Complete Guide to Infant Cereal

When Can Babies Start Cereal?

Age Guidelines

• AAP recommendation: Around 6 months
• Some pediatricians: May okay 4-6 months for iron needs
• Never before: 4 months

Signs of Readiness

• ✅ Good head and neck control
• ✅ Can sit with support
• ✅ Shows interest in food (watches you eat, reaches for food)
• ✅ Opens mouth when food approaches
• ✅ Loss of tongue-thrust reflex (doesn't push food out)
• ✅ Doubled birth weight (approximately)

Why Iron-Fortified Cereal?

By 4-6 months, babies' iron stores from birth start depleting. Breast milk is low in iron, and formula may not provide enough. Iron-fortified cereal helps prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Oatmeal vs Rice Cereal: Which is Better?

The Arsenic Issue with Rice

Rice absorbs arsenic from soil and water more than other grains. The FDA and AAP recommend:

• Limiting rice cereal consumption
• Offering variety of grains (oat, barley, multigrain)
• Not making rice cereal the only cereal

Bottom line: Start with oatmeal cereal. Rice cereal isn't unsafe in moderation, but variety is best.

Best Baby Cereals (2026 Rankings)

1. Gerber Organic Oatmeal — Best Overall

• Type: Single-grain oatmeal
• Iron: 45% DV per serving
• Organic: Yes (USDA)
• Price: ~$5 per 8oz container
• Where to buy: Everywhere

Why it's #1: Trusted brand, widely available, organic, excellent iron content, smooth texture babies accept easily.

2. Earth's Best Organic Oatmeal — Best Budget Organic

• Type: Whole grain oatmeal
• Iron: 45% DV per serving
• Organic: Yes (USDA)
• Price: ~$4.50 per 8oz

Why we love it: Affordable organic option, no added sugar, simple ingredients.

3. Happy Baby Oatmeal — Best with Probiotics

• Type: Oatmeal with probiotics
• Iron: 45% DV per serving
• Organic: Yes
• Bonus: Contains probiotics for gut health

4. Gerber Multigrain — Best for Variety

• Type: Oat, wheat, barley blend
• Iron: 45% DV per serving
• Best for: Babies who've tried single grains

5. Beech-Nut Oatmeal — Best Simple Ingredients

• Ingredients: Just oat flour, iron, vitamins
• No added: Sugar, salt, artificial anything

How to Prepare Baby Cereal

First-Time Preparation

1. Mix thin: 1 tablespoon cereal + 4-5 tablespoons breast milk, formula, or water
2. Consistency: Should be runny/soupy initially
3. Temperature: Room temperature or slightly warm
4. Serve on spoon: Never in bottle

Gradually Thicken

As baby gets used to eating:

• Week 1-2: Very thin (soupy)
• Week 3-4: Medium thickness
• Month 2+: Thicker, more texture

How Much to Feed

Remember: Breast milk or formula is still the main nutrition source until age 1.

Should You Put Cereal in Baby's Bottle?

Short Answer: No

The AAP does NOT recommend adding cereal to bottles. Here's why:

• Choking risk: Thickened liquid from nipple can be dangerous
• Overfeeding: Baby can't regulate intake as well
• Doesn't help sleep: Studies show it doesn't make babies sleep longer
• Delays learning: Babies need to learn spoon-feeding

Exception: Reflux

If your pediatrician recommends thickening feeds for reflux, use:

• Commercial AR (added rice) formulas like Enfamil AR or Similac for Spit-Up
• These are designed to thicken properly and safely

Baby Cereal Safety Tips

Reducing Arsenic Exposure

• Choose oatmeal over rice as primary cereal
• If using rice cereal, limit to 1-2 servings per week
• Offer variety of grains
• Check brands' testing practices

Storage

• Store opened container in cool, dry place
• Use within 30 days of opening
• Check expiration dates

Allergies

• Wheat/gluten: Wait 3 days between new grains to identify reactions
• Signs of reaction: Rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fussiness
• Start single-grain: Before trying multigrain

Frequently Asked Questions

Can baby cereal cause constipation?

Rice cereal is more likely to cause constipation than oatmeal. If your baby gets constipated, try switching to oatmeal or adding pureed prunes/pears to their diet.

Is baby cereal necessary?

Not strictly necessary—babies can get nutrients from other iron-rich first foods like pureed meats or fortified foods. However, cereal is convenient and ensures adequate iron intake.

Can I mix cereal with fruit puree?

Yes! Mixing cereal with fruit puree makes it more interesting and can help with constipation (especially with pear or prune puree).

How long do babies eat cereal?

Babies can continue eating iron-fortified cereal through the first year and beyond. As they transition to table foods, they'll naturally eat less cereal.