The best cereals for children. Rating of dairy-free cereals for the first complementary foods. Description of stamps, features of choice. The best fruit and vegetable purees

When feeding a baby, you should be aware of the features of baby food: what composition is most useful, and what should not be in the diet. We'll help you figure it out.

In fact, nutrition for a baby is vitamins, macro- and microelements, fats, proteins, carbohydrates necessary for growth and health. Therefore, no children's menu can do without them. But some substances harm the child. For example:

• Semolina or oatmeal in the composition of purchased cereals can inhibit the absorption of calcium by the body. And as you know, its deficiency makes the bones more fragile.
• The use of cereals containing too many carbohydrates is best limited to overweight children.

Along with the variety of cereals, you need to be guided by other features of the choice of baby food. Here you need to consult a pediatrician. After studying the state of health of your baby, he will be able to give recommendations on which composition will be most useful and safe.

Porridges used to feed a small child can be divided into two types: either home-made (for more experienced mothers), or from a manufacturer, bought in a store.

Acquaintance with them always begins with studying the packaging. Knowing according to the recommendations of the pediatrician what is healthy and safe for the baby, and what should be avoided, you will make the right choice.

The first thing to look out for is gluten, or gluten, a plant-based protein found in many grains.

If the doctor has not prescribed, cereals with gluten can be included in the diet. But very moderately, since a tiny organism still poorly breaks down such a protein.

Heinz (Heinz)

Manufacturer of baby food Heinz (Heinz) offers an extensive range of milk and dairy-free mixtures. And for the first feeding, she recommends dairy-free formulas to reduce the risks of developing allergies.

Nutrition developers Heinz (Heinz) oriented their product to different life stages of the intensive growth of the child's body. For the smallest -, for the next age group - milk porridge.

Moreover, the range expands as the baby grows. In the composition of cereals intended for children older than six months, there is a higher content of milk, palm oil, pieces of fruit or vegetables are also added to the products. For the nutrition of one-year-old children, Heinz offers an even wider range of baby cereals, no longer with such a homogeneous consistency that the child learns to chew food.

Manufacturer Heinz (Heinz) declares that, along with the main ingredients (cereals, milk, vegetables and fruits), their products include vitamins of all groups, minerals, as well as special probiotics (lacto- and bifidobacteria) and prebiotics (lactulose and oligosaccharides), which support a healthy microflora of the digestive tract and intestines, strengthen the immune system.

But the ideal diet, suitable for all children without exception, does not exist. And Heinz nutrition is no exception, so let's pay attention to alternative options.

Nestle (Nestlé)

There are many cereals from Nestle on the Russian baby food market. The range of this brand is distinguished by a wide variety of tastes and is designed for feeding children from diapers to 3 years of age.

In advertising campaigns that are held in various media, you can hear that Nestlé's nutrition for babies is "mother's milk." But do not forget that nothing can replace the composition of mother's milk and artificial feeding should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Nestlé products are known to Russian customers not only for their line of baby food, but also for many delicacies for adults.

Baby (Baby)

The products of the baby food company Baby (Baby) also deserve attention. It includes dairy, dairy-free cereals, children's afternoon snacks, various hypoallergenic mixtures, children's teas and children's water.

Here are the most popular baby cereals of this brand:

• Baby (Baby) milk rice - you can start introducing complementary foods with cereals from it. The composition includes prebiotics and probiotics that contribute to the proper functioning of the small intestine. It is good for children suffering from stool retention. It also contains iron, iodine and 12 essential vitamins. Includes various flavors: apple, banana, hazelnut and dried apricots.
• A more traditional dairy-free porridge Baby (Baby) is buckwheat. Contains a large amount of vitamins and protein. It also contains iron and iodine. Made with water or vegetable broth, this buckwheat-based nutritional formula is suitable for children who are intolerant of cow's milk protein or lactose (milk sugar). Available with various flavors: apple or.
• Baby (Baby) dairy-free oatmeal is characterized by a high content of B vitamins, magnesium, iron, calcium, iodine and dietary fiber. Recommended for feeding babies from 5 months who have stool retention. Flavoring additives: apple and wild berries.
• The composition of milk wheat or oatmeal Baby (Baby) for an afternoon snack includes cookies and raspberries.
• Milk porridge Baby (Baby) Premium 3 cereals - with cookies and lemon balm. The product is intended for feeding children older than 6 months. The composition is enriched with prebiotics that support the intestinal microflora in a healthy state.

Just like Nestle (Nestle) and Heinz (Heinz), the manufacturer of Baby (Baby), which prevents the absorption of calcium and has a number of controversial properties.

domestic producers

For example, Baby Premium has a complete set of elements, nucleotides, prebiotics and more than 17 vitamins (these vitamins are also present in mother's breast milk). According to the producers, these cereals are made on the basis of the highest quality cow's milk.

Often, when buying food for their child, parents are guided by the price. More expensive means better. It is worth noting here that Baby, Malyutka or Umnitsa baby cereals do not belong to a high price category, but their composition in some cases may be much more suitable than that of Nestle, Heinz or other brands.

Cooked at home

If you decide to cook baby porridge at home, you will need buckwheat, oat or rice flour.

Groats can be ground in a stationary blender or coffee grinder. Pour it with cold water, stir and add boiling milk, then bring to a boil, reduce the heat to very low and cook for no more than 5 minutes, stirring constantly. For children under 5 months old, food is made more liquid (this is about one teaspoon of flour per half a glass of water).

Older kids will like thicker porridge (2 tsp flour in half a glass of water). Salt and sugar need to be added during cooking, but not much. At the end, you can put a teaspoon of butter. But you can do without it if the child is happy to eat porridge without butter.

For those who do not have the opportunity to grind cereals into flour, the following method is suitable: boil rice, oats or buckwheat in water, then add milk with constant stirring and hold on fire for a while. Thoroughly knead the prepared porridge and wipe through a sieve.

A few words about cereals

Each cereal has its own unique properties, so you need to constantly alternate its various types in the diet.

1. Oatmeal and buckwheat contain quite a lot of fiber, which has a laxative effect on the baby's body. Read also.
2. Rice - on the contrary, has fixing properties.
3. Corn is neutral, that is, it does not significantly affect the baby's stool.
4. Semolina contains an insufficient amount of the norm of vitamins and minerals established for children, so it is better not to use it as a first complementary food.

If your child is allergic to cow's milk, use baby water when making porridge. If you have allergies, multigrain mixtures should also be avoided. After eating, the baby should be given a drink. For this, children's kefir or fresh homemade juice is suitable.

As the child grows, introduce mixed cereals into his diet. Recipes can be supplemented with vegetables and fruits.

Of course, cereals for baby food can be made on your own, but pediatricians recommend starting complementary foods with industrial products. Let it be food from Nestle or Heinz or native, Russian - Malyutka, Malyutka or Umnitsa.

Dairy-free cereals are the best option for children throughout. These benefits are invested in the following 4 points:

1. They do not contain sugar, which means that they are the prevention of food allergies to sweets, which is one of the first places in cases of allergies in children.
2. They do not contain milk, therefore they are prevention. Allows breast milk to be used. The mixture that the baby is fed with, and then the porridge can be brewed with a decoction of vegetables or fruits. But it is not allowed to breed cereals with whole cow / goat milk. Especially these cereals are necessary for children with allergies, and those whose parents have allergic diseases.
3. They are low-calorie, which is especially important for.
4. The child will be better able to distinguish between different tastes. Currently, the use of dairy-free cereals is very welcome in healthy children.

There is one drawback: dairy-free cereals are presented in a meager assortment, and often mothers switch to, which are represented by simply a colossal number of flavors and additives to diversify the baby's food.

Dairy-free monocomponent gluten-free cereals for the first feeding

Dairy-free cereals for the first complementary foods are made from rice, buckwheat and corn. They are allowed to be introduced into complementary foods:

• after 4 months for artificial children;
• after 6 months for children, .

Recommended brands of manufacturers: "Grandmother's basket", "Hipp", "Heinz", "Frutonyanya", "Nutrilon", "Baby", "BelLakt", "Nestle", "Vinny". Before use, carefully read the composition on the package - porridge should not contain other sweeteners.

Dairy-free two-component gluten-free cereals

Such porridges are allowed to be introduced after about one month, when the child is completely accustomed to the two components of porridge separately, and therefore, closer to six months to artificial children and closer to seven months to breastfed children.

• buckwheat-rice: "Winnie", "Friso" and "Humana" buckwheat with the addition of rice;
• corn-rice: Friso, Peanut, Nestle;
• buckwheat-corn.

If you did not find these cereals for sale, then you can make them yourself. To the first porridge, to which the child is already accustomed, for example, buckwheat, add corn / rice, but we recommend choosing both porridges from the same manufacturer. Mix the dry product from two cereals well and only then pour water / milk.

Dairy-free monocomponent gluten-containing cereals

It is allowed to enter children older than six months of age. It is advisable to switch to gluten-containing porridge gradually, giving it every other day, you can periodically supplement feeding with gluten-free porridge with it, and gradually replace it completely within 6 days.

• From 6.5 months, you can offer your baby oatmeal "Baby", "BelLakt", "Karapuz", "Nestlé", "Heinz", "Fleur Alpin".
• Then (rarely found on sale from baby food manufacturers).
• After the oatmeal semolina (mind you, in Soviet times they only started complementary foods with it) - "Fleur Alpin". Since semolina is introduced into complementary foods late, manufacturers of baby food practically do not produce it in its pure form, it mainly comes with the addition of fruits and berries. You can use semolina porridge for adults, but it is not additionally enriched with vitamins and minerals. You should know that semolina porridge has a high nutritional value, but vitamin and mineral - quite insignificant.
• Then you can try millet porridge.

It has a poor useful composition and is difficult to digest, but it effectively removes antibiotics from the body during the treatment period.

Dairy-free cereals from 1-2 grain components with the addition of filler

It is allowed to enter after 6.5–7 months (children on natural feeding should be introduced later by about a month). It would be good if by this time the child has tried the filler used in porridge (pear, apricot, apple), in the form of fruit or fruit food.

• "BelLakt": with pear (buckwheat), with zucchini / with zucchini and apple (rice), with prunes (buckwheat-rice), with pumpkin (buckwheat-corn), with wild berries (oatmeal), with apricot and apple (wheat ).
• "Agusha": with pear (buckwheat),
• "Baby": with apricots (buckwheat), with an apple (buckwheat, oatmeal), with wild berries (oatmeal).
• "Winnie": with pear flakes (buckwheat), with plum / apricot flakes (oatmeal), with apple (rice-buckwheat / wheat).
• "Karapuz": with apples (buckwheat), with berries (wheat), with peaches (oatmeal).
• "Nestlé": with prunes (buckwheat / oats with wheat).
• "Samper": fruits in the form of a banana, pear, apple and orange (wheat). Citrus fruits are among the five most common allergens, let's be careful with this porridge.
• "Heinz": apple (buckwheat), with plum (oat), with fruit (oat-wheat).
• "Hipp": with fruits in the form of an apple and a banana (buckwheat), with (rice). This manufacturer also recommends diluting their cereals not only with milk, water, but also with fruit puree.

Dairy-free cereals from 3-8 grain components

The advantage of multi-grain cereals lies in the rich and varied vitamin composition, because at one meal the child will receive the most diverse set of vitamins and minerals. Another plus is familiarity with all cereals.

It is allowed to introduce this product into complementary foods after 7–7.5 months:

• porridge from 4 cereals: "Karapuz", "Friso";
• porridge from 5 cereals: "Baby", "Nestlé", "Heinz";
• 6 cereals: "Remedia-multi-grain";
• from 7 cereal components: "Winnie", "Spelenok";
• porridge from 8 cereals: Nestle, Peanut.

Dairy-free cereals from 3 or more grain components with the addition of fruits and berries

1. "Baby Premium": five-grain muesli with apple and apricot.
2. "Karapuz": porridge from five cereals with the addition of a banana and an apple.
3. "Nestlé": five-grain porridge with linden.
4. "Nutrilon": cereals (7) with banana.
5. "Samper": eight cereals and honey. it is not recommended to give to healthy children under one year old, prone to allergies - up to 3 years old, in this porridge the honey content is low - 6.5%.

The first porridge (gluten-free, dairy-free) is administered for about a week. Then, following the same scheme, introduce the next two gluten-free cereals, this should take about a month.

Then offer your child the same cereals with the addition of domestic fruits. And you begin to gradually introduce gluten cereals, as a result, the introduction of rice, buckwheat, corn, oatmeal, millet, semolina, oatmeal porridge will take about 2 months.

Next, try to give your child all the interesting cereals from several cereals, from several cereals with additives, perhaps by 8 months the child will refuse dairy-free porridge, then you can switch to dairy ones, they are tastier, and kids always take them positively.

For children prone to allergies, each porridge should be given gradually, carefully observing the reaction, but for healthy children, the introduction of a new product should not always be extended for 6 days, sometimes 2-3 is enough.

The introduction of complementary feeding and, in general, introducing children to adult food is a rather lengthy and extremely responsible process. Products that come after breast milk should not lead to negative reactions - intestinal upset, allergic conditions and poor digestion.

Porridge for - one of the best options for good nutrition for kids.

However, it is not easy to understand their diversity: gluten and gluten-free, dairy and dairy-free, corn and buckwheat - which ones are better to cook, when to introduce and give the mixture, with which one, which manufacturers to give preference to. All these nuances should be considered in more detail.

Introducing cereals into complementary foods usually begins from the second half of the year of life, subject to breastfeeding and normal weight gain. Artificers receive the mixture in 4.5 months.

Also, cereals are indicated for persistent rotavirus infections, accompanied by diarrhea. For such babies, high-calorie nutrition is necessary, which is what porridge is considered to be.

At optimal, the vegetable mixture should be introduced first, and only then it is time for the second feeding. Groats begin to give about a month after the introduction of vegetable puree.

There are 5 main “symptoms” by which parents will be able to understand that it is time to cook porridge for the baby:

• the child begins to erupt teeth;
• he is already confidently sitting in a high chair;
• he or a mixture;
• he shows interest in adult nutrition;
• he is able to lick liquid food off a spoon and swallow it.

If these signs are combined, then the baby is potentially ready for the introduction of porridge as the first complementary food. It remains to determine which products are the best for babies.

The best cereals for initial feeding are gluten-free cereals - buckwheat, corn or rice. Dishes from hercules, wheat or semolina are best left for later, since these cereals contain a likely allergen - the cereal protein gluten.

This food component is poorly absorbed by children in infancy, they have gaziki and pain in the tummy. A similar problem is associated with a lack of special enzymes that perform the function of breaking down gluten in the body.

Porridges for the first complementary foods are divided for a variety of reasons, so parents can choose the best and most suitable products for the child:

Porridges can conditionally include such products as:

• welling - cereal-milk mixture, resembling a very liquid porridge, you can give a baby who does not perceive thick food well;
• instant biscuits- hard slices dissolve easily in milk, and the resulting mixture resembles a thin porridge in consistency;
• porridge-muesli- the product contains fruit additives, pieces of cookies that will help a 9-month-old child to quickly master the ability to chew food.

What should be the best porridge for initial feeding? Dairy-free, gluten-free, mono-component porridge without additives, cooked from buckwheat, corn or rice, is best suited for dating.

The composition of each cereal is unique, so baby nutrition experts have developed their own recommendations that take into account the order of introduction of cereals, serving sizes and other important nuances.

Having chosen one cereal, you should cook it for the child for 2 weeks. When children's tummies get used to the new food product, the next type of cereal can be introduced.

Many mothers are not sure what is best for the baby: give porridge purchased at the pharmacy or cook it yourself.

For example, WHO notes that industrial porridge should be used for initial feeding, as it has several advantages:

• quick cooking (it only takes a few minutes);
• easy digestibility;
• balanced composition, also enriched with useful microelements;
• homogeneous consistency, after cooling they do not thicken;
• the absence of salts, harmful dyes and additional components (of course, this is typical for the best manufacturers);
• multilateral quality control;
• a special manufacturing technique, thanks to which the product is easier to swallow and digest.

The advantages of home-cooked baby cereals include:

• great naturalness of products;
• cost savings, since baby dairy products are quite expensive;
• homemade cereals make it easier to switch to an adult diet.

In the matter of complementary foods, you should focus on the child. Childhood impressions when feeding, the baby's appetite will tell parents which porridge is the best - homemade or purchased.

How to cook?

If industrially made cereals are used, then the question of how to cook porridge practically does not arise, since the technique for creating a dish is indicated directly on the packages.

Most often, the dry mixture is poured with boiled water (you should carefully monitor the temperature regime) and mix until completely dissolved. Cooking porridge should be right before eating, observing the following recommendations:

1. Children's porridge, offered to the baby for the first time, must be five percent (from a consumption of 5 grams per 100 milliliters of water). This is the best product consistency for initial feeding. Then the porridge will be 10%.
2. You need to start with a minimum volume - a teaspoon. It is best to "arm yourself" with a silicone cutlery suitable for sensitive children's gums.
3. The best injectable porridge is pureed, gluten-free, dairy-free, made from buckwheat or rice. It is necessary to ensure that the resulting dish is free of lumps and other inclusions. After feeding the porridge, the baby is given breast milk or the usual mixture.
4. Gradually, the portion of gruel increases - by about a teaspoon per day. For a week, you should bring the volume of the dish to 150 grams (this applies to a 6-month-old baby), then a single serving will only grow:
   • seven months - 160 grams;
   • eight months - 180 grams;
   • year - 200 grams.

If you are going to cook porridge on your own, the proportions and the above rules remain in effect. Just do not forget to chop the cereal before cooking in order to avoid lumps that the baby will not approve of, and then you can add milk mixtures or mother's milk to the dish.

Rating of the best cereals

Baby porridge is an extremely popular product, so you can buy products from various companies and manufacturers on the domestic market.

When choosing the best dairy-free or gluten-free cereals, it is worth considering not only the reviews of other mothers, but also the opinion of the best independent “specialist” - your own child.

A curious assessment of industrial cereals was given in the popular program "Test Purchase". We must pay tribute to all manufacturers - no unsafe impurities were found in cereals, but only two companies got into the rating: Heinz and Bebi.

Cooked products from other companies, including the popular Malyutka porridge, contained unpleasant lumps.

So, we propose to consider in more detail and in the most thorough way the rating of the best baby cereals, from which you should start feeding young children, as well as the reviews of parents that will help you understand which mixtures should be discarded.

1. Heinz

Experts are sure that the best cereals are found in the product line of these manufacturers.

Parents will be able to choose baby food based on the age and needs of the child.

There are many cereals sold in pharmacies and stores:

• dairy-free with additives;
• with milk;
• low-allergenic dairy-free;
• dainty (multi-grain with fruit).

Cooking Heinz porridge is simple - just dilute it in some water.

This infant formula is non-lumpy, pleasant tasting and relatively inexpensive. However, parent reviews show that the consistency of some products does not always resemble traditional porridge.

Dairy-free Heinz porridge First oatmeal with prebiotics (from 5 months) 180 g

2. Baby

Some of the best low-sucrose cereals are produced by this company.

Manufacturers offer the widest range of different products for all age groups.

Parents will be able to please the child with cereals:

• dairy-free (both "clean" and containing fruit);
• dairy (rice with berries and nuts);
• low-allergenic dairy-free with prebiotics (belong to the premium class);
• premium dairy (mono-component and poly-component).

Cereals are the main components in the diet of a small child. Quite often, it is with them that children's complementary foods begin. There are two options for children's dairy-free cereals, which are used to introduce the first complementary foods:

• purchased finished products, specially designed for babies of different ages;
• cooked by yourself.

Self-cooking cereals takes time, which young mothers do not always have

The modern rhythm of life does not allow spending a lot of time preparing home-cooked meals, especially since a small child needs to cook a new fresh portion every time. As a result, the number of mothers who give their preference to industrial products continues to grow. It does not require any special culinary skills and saves valuable time.

general information

Depending on what dairy-free porridge is intended for, it belongs to one of two types:

1. First type. Used to start weaning. Products of this kind are made from low-allergenic cereals, which include rice, corn, and buckwheat. They are also usually free of milk, sugar and gluten. Almost all cereals, with the exception of rice, corn and buckwheat, contain gluten, which in some cases may be poorly tolerated by the child's body.
2. Second type. Their purpose is to expand the diet of the crumbs. If gluten-free products fit the baby and did not cause any negative reactions in him, you can gradually try gluten-containing options - semolina, oatmeal, millet, pearl barley, barley or barley groats.

The composition and useful properties of dairy-free cereals

Dairy-free cereals affect the baby's body in different ways. For example, the value of buckwheat lies in the fact that it is a source of minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc and copper. In addition, it is rich in protein and vitamins B1, B2 and PP, dietary fiber.

Buckwheat is rich in vitamins and minerals valuable for the baby.

Rice is useful due to the dietary fiber it contains. It is widely believed among parents that such croup strengthens and can cause constipation in infants. This is a misconception, because rice flour for baby food does not use fine grains, and as a result, such dairy-free cereals do not lead to problems with bowel movements. They are recommended for use even by children who have stool disorders. In contrast, homemade rice, made from ground, crushed, refined grains, can just cause constipation.

Almost as good as rice in terms of dietary fiber content is corn grits. The amount of substances such as protein, iron and fiber in it is several times higher. Thanks to dietary fiber, corn grits prevent fermentation, reducing the risk of bloating. It also contributes to the development of the central nervous system due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Other cereals and their benefits

• Barley dairy-free porridge. The protein found in barley contains 18 amino acids, some of which are essential for the body. Barley is rich in vitamins A, K, E and B, choline, as well as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper and selenium. Its use promotes good digestion, strengthens the immune system and solves the problem of constipation. In addition, it is valuable from a nutritional point of view.

Barley has a high nutritional value and solves the problem of constipation

• Oatmeal dairy-free porridge. Oatmeal contains a sufficient amount of vegetable protein and minerals - magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, vitamins B1, B2 and PP. Another advantage of this nutritious cereal is in fats and fiber. The amount of fats is six times higher than their content in other cereals.
• Semolina (we recommend reading:). It has a lot of vegetable protein and starch, but little fiber. In terms of the content of vitamins and minerals, it is also inferior to other cereals.
• Barley and barley porridge. They are obtained from barley. In terms of starch content, they are similar to semolina, but they have much more fiber (we recommend reading:). In addition, they have vitamins B1, B2 and PP.

Rating of dairy-free cereals

Currently, on the shelves of stores you can find two types of dairy-free cereals. The first are dry, the second are already finished products. The latter include porridges from Hipp and Frutonyanya.

1. Hippie ready-made dairy-free cereals with various fruit additives are sold in special jars. They are found with and without starch. Among the company's products in the baby food series there is one that is not related to cereals. These are "Apples with Banana and Cookies" and "Pear Puree with Cereal Flakes".
2. Dairy-free cereals of the Frutonyanya brand are a mixture of cereals with fruit puree. Puree can be either one or several types. There are no other additives in them, except for a small amount of fructose.

Dry dairy-free cereals are represented by a wide range of brands. Below is a rating of dairy-free cereals for the first complementary foods of different companies, which will help you make a choice during a test purchase.

Baby Sitter and Remedia

The first in the ranking are the companies "Baby Sitter" and "Remedia". They make similar products. These are dairy-free cereals without any fruit additives and fillers. The composition of "Baby Sitter" includes 13 vitamins and 8 minerals, and "Remedia" 12 and 9, respectively. These vitamin-mineral complexes are placed in protective capsule shells that prevent the negative effects of moisture and temperature. Due to the fact that the membranes are destroyed only inside the body, the child receives useful substances in their original form. It also requires less dry product per serving than many other brands due to the special processing of the cereal.

In the assortment of these brands there is porridge-kissel "Kornflor". It is based on corn starch, which is characterized by a low protein content. "Kornflor" is perfect for accustoming the baby to thick food. It is recommended for the prevention of bloating, liquid bowel movements and kidney disease.

"Hipp" and "Grandma's Basket"

Next in the ranking are cereals of Hipp brand products. These are organic products that are grown without the use of artificial fertilizers and synthetic substances. This brand of buckwheat contains mineral supplements, as well as vitamins B1 and C. Unlike other manufacturers, Hippie contains gluten. Corn porridge, in turn, can be called two-grain, as it consists of corn flour and rice. The rest of the products in most cases contain vitamin B1 and are not enriched with other minerals.

The company "Babushkino Lukoshko" produces dairy-free products from three cereals: buckwheat, rice and corn. As a result, it is one of the best possible options for a first weaning meal. They add only a few vitamins and useful trace elements. Plus, the product contains prebiotics such as inulin and fructoligosaccharides, while sugar and salt are absent.

Nestle

The composition of Nestlé products includes BL probiotics, which have a positive effect on the microflora and increase immunity, 9 vitamins and 7 minerals. In addition, there may be residues of milk and lactose, and in cereals that do not contain gluten, traces of this protein. Improvement of palatability without the use of sugar is achieved due to the fact that during production, enzymes of the α type and gluco-amylase are added to the products. They help break down the glucose-glucose bonds in the starch chain, resulting in the formation of sweet dextrin. This results in better digestibility and higher viscosity of the product.

Other Nestle products include dairy-free buckwheat porridge with prunes, which is no longer suitable for complementary foods, but to diversify the baby’s diet, as well as the Pomogayka series of porridges. They improve digestion and strengthen the body's defenses, as they contain bifidobacteria BL, prebiotics, vitamins and minerals. In the series there is a product "5 cereals with linden blossom" with the addition of linden extract powder. It's very soothing, so it's perfect for taking in the evening before bed.

"Humana", "Baby" and "Baby"

The Humana company produces only 2 types of cereals - buckwheat and oatmeal, to which rice flakes are added. They contain 13 vitamins, iodine and iron, as well as glucose and fructose, as a replacement for sucrose, maltodextrin.

There are 3 types of products of the company "Malyutka". Among them are corn and buckwheat, and the third option is a mixture of the previous two. All have added maltodextrin, vitamins and minerals, and milk and gluten residues other than corn may also be present. They also lack sucrose.

A series of cereals from Baby products are hypoallergenic, based on corn, rice and buckwheat. They are used for the first feeding. They have added inulin, iodine, iron, 12 vitamins and no fruit additives. Other products of the company do not contain prebiotics, it can be with the addition of sugar and fruits.

Also a very interesting option is cereals with vegetables. They contain 40% vegetables, and 60% cereals, plus they contain sugar, a prebiotic, a mineral-vitamin complex. All this is great for feeding a healthy baby.

Products of the brands "Fleur Alpin", "Frutonyanya", "Semper", "Vinnie" and "Bellakt"

• Fleur Alpin is an organic whole grain company. In their production, whole grains are used along with the shell. With the exception of rice, oatmeal and wheat cereals, which contain vitamin B1, others do not contain any vitamin or mineral supplements. Corn also contains the prebiotic FOS. A feature of wheat groats is that it is made from spelled flour, and this allows it to retain all its beneficial properties.
• The products of Semper and Frutonyanya are rice and buckwheat groats. Products of the first brand contain only cereals and have a high nutritional value, and the second brand is hypoallergenic, without sugar and fruits, containing a complex of 12 vitamins and 3 minerals.
• The Winnie and Bellakt companies have a wide range of products both with fruits and sugar, and hypoallergenic options. Some of them have added inulin, maltodextrin and various vitamins and minerals.

Rules and time frames for introducing dairy-free cereals into complementary foods

The time for introducing dairy-free cereals depends on the individual characteristics of the baby, such as:

• the type of feeding on which the baby is;
• the state of his health.

Usually, breastfed babies are recommended to start feeding dairy-free, gluten-free porridge from 6 months, and artificial babies from 4 (we recommend reading:). Also, at the age of 4-5 months, you can try to give porridge in a situation where the baby is not gaining weight well. Otherwise, if the increase is beyond the norm and there is excess weight, the introduction of cereals is postponed until the age of 6.5-7 months.

The introduction of one type of porridge takes about a week. As a result, in a month a child can be introduced to three different one-component cereals. After he gets used to at least 2 types of cereals, you can switch to mixed porridge, which will contain components already familiar to the baby. For example, if one-component corn and rice were introduced to the crumbs, then it is worth trying a two-component corn-rice mixture. It is not recommended to change the manufacturer.

In the absence of the required version of the porridge of the selected brand, you can always make it yourself. To do this, just take a spoonful of one and the other cereals, mix together. The cooking scheme remains the same.

Before switching to gluten-containing cereals, it is worth trying to serve already introduced types, but with fruit additives. For lack of the right option from the manufacturer, you can simply add juice or fruit puree to dairy-free porridge.

Children should switch to dairy-free cereals with gluten after 5 months. They, too, need to start with single-component views. Replacement of gluten-free porridge occurs gradually. To begin with, it is worth giving a new porridge every other day, then every day, so continue until the baby completely switches to gluten-containing cereals. They are advised to give the crumbs in the following order: first - oatmeal, followed by oatmeal, then semolina and at the end millet.

Below is a table that shows the age of the child and the period when dairy-free cereals should be introduced:

Here are a few helpful tips for dairy-free cereals to help you make the right choice:

1. Manufacturers of children's products offer a large selection of cereals with various fruit additives. However, rather than buying a store-bought version, it is better to make your own mashed fruits that are suitable for age, or take a ready-made one and add it to the dish.
2. Parents seeking organic nutrition should opt for products from Hipp, Samper and Fleur Alpin. The only caveat to keep in mind is the absence or minimum amount of vitamins and minerals in their products.
3. Dairy-free products containing prebiotics, which are a nutrient medium for the formation of beneficial intestinal microflora, are ideal for children with problem tummies (we recommend reading:). They are produced by the firms "Babushkino Lukoshko", "Baby", "Heinz", "Winnie". It is also desirable for them to give Nestle brand cereals, which are enriched with probiotics.

Cereals are among the three leading foods for the first complementary foods, offered to the child, as a rule, at 6-8 months of age. Sometimes earlier if indicated by pediatricians if there are problems with weight gain, breastfeeding or health. Porridge for the first feeding is easy to cook on your own, but it is much more convenient to use the finished product. Now there is no shortage, the choice is huge, and it is important to know how not to get lost in it.

Content:

What cereal to start dairy-free complementary foods

For the first feeding, only 3 types of cereals are used: buckwheat, rice, corn. They do not contain gluten, that is, gluten. This is a vegetable protein that is poorly digested and often causes allergies. The leader among the listed cereals is buckwheat. Rice can provoke constipation, corn is not very common in the diet of adults, so they are in no hurry to give it to children.

What else you need to know about complementary foods:

1. Individual intolerance can cause absolutely any product. The reaction of the child to the porridge introduced for the first feeding should be monitored carefully.
2. Gluten-free cereals 3, but they need to be introduced alternately, at least 10 days should pass between new types.
3. If the child has any reaction, he is worried about his tummy, a rash, or there are other problems, complementary foods should be postponed for at least a week.
4. Porridge, like any other food, is introduced gradually, starting with 5 g of the finished dish and only in the morning.
5. When diluting a dry product, you need to carefully study the information on the package. Not all types are prepared in the same way: the temperature of the liquid and the amount of dry raw materials are different.

Important! If the child did not like a certain product from one manufacturer, then you need to try another company. The taste of buckwheat, corn or rice, as well as the consistency, are sometimes very different.

Video: Dr. Komarovsky about semolina

The main producers of dairy-free cereals

On the shelves of stores there are various dairy-free cereals for the first complementary foods. It's easy to get confused, the choice is really difficult. You should not go shopping without an idea about the companies and basic information. General data will help you find the right product faster, as well as save money.

Nestle

Nestle cereals are very popular in Russia, they are sold in almost all grocery supermarkets and even in ordinary stores, the assortment is large, there is plenty to choose from. The quality of Nestle is consistently high, while the cost is kept in the middle price range. Contains prebiotics. They will help to cope with constipation, stool problems, fill the intestines with beneficial bacteria. All Nestle dairy-free cereals for the first feeding are rich in vitamins and minerals.

The powder mixture is easily diluted with water, does not form lumps. The taste of porridge is natural, slightly sweet, usually liked by kids. The aroma is characteristic of cereals.

hipp

A well-known manufacturer of baby food, which also contains cereals without the addition of milk. The company focuses on organic raw materials. Cereals are grown in ecologically favorable areas, all ingredients are carefully selected. Hipp buckwheat contains vitamin C, B1. Corn is presented mixed with rice, so it can be consumed only after familiarization with each cereal.

The disadvantages of Hipp porridge include high cost, poor composition of vitamins. The taste of the dish is high. The powder is diluted relatively uniformly, but there may be small lumps.

Heinz

Products from Heinz quickly became popular. The manufacturer's cereals are diverse, have many tastes, among which there are several types for the first complementary foods. The price is above average. The manufacturer has identified a whole line of cereals that do not contain milk, salt and sugar, but vitamins, minerals, and inulin are present. When choosing, you need to carefully study the information on the package. The assortment is really large, and in some dairy-free types there are fruit and sugar additives, which is not suitable for a first acquaintance.

The taste of Heinz dairy-free porridge is pleasant, light, slightly sweet. The powder is in good contact with water, the dish is homogeneous, without lumps, resembles a whipped mass.

Baby

The line of dairy-free cereals with a reduced content of sucrose is intended for therapeutic and preventive nutrition. Powders for dilution contain inulin (prebiortic), iron, iodine, vitamins. When choosing, you need to be careful: some dairy-free types contain fruits.

Powdered cereal from Bebi is diluted with warm water to the desired consistency rather quickly, it has a pleasant taste. The disadvantages of cereals from this manufacturer include the rapid consumption of powder.

Winnie

Inexpensive buckwheat porridge is ideal for introducing cereals. Does not contain milk and salt, but contains the prebiotic inulin, maltodextrin, vitamins. The disadvantages of Winnie porridge include a large number of various additives.

Diluted cereal powder from "Winnie" is easy, does not form lumps. The taste of the dish is pleasant, corresponds to pure cereals.

baby

Porridges of this domestic manufacturer have been popular for several decades. For the most part, this is due to cost and availability. The price of "Baby" is below average, while the product is of high quality, proven, meets all safety standards. Buckwheat and corn are produced for the first dairy-free food.

The big disadvantage of "Baby" is the lumps, without which it will not be possible to immediately dissolve the porridge, it will take time to get used to it. The taste is unusual for the cereal used - sweetish, but pleasant.

Babushkino Lukoshko

Only 3 types are suitable for feeding with dairy-free cereals. Products from a domestic manufacturer are of high quality, the price is above average. In addition to cereals, the composition contains vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, which will have a positive effect on bowel function.

Dry products from the "Grandmother's basket" are easily bred, but small lumps are possible. The taste of complementary foods is classic, insipid, characteristic of natural cereals. There is no sweetness, so not all children take cereals from this manufacturer.

good girl

A manufacturer of professional baby food offers rice and corn porridge. They contain inulin, vitamins, fructose. There is no prebiotic in buckwheat from Umnitsa, but there are traces of salt and sugars. The cost is low. The disadvantages include the inaccessibility of porridge, it is not sold everywhere, in some cities of Russia it cannot be found.

"Clever" is bred without difficulty, the dish turns out to be homogeneous, has a natural sweetness, is pleasant and easily absorbed by the child's body.

Frutonyanya

Another well-known manufacturer of inexpensive baby food. Porridges without milk are presented in the form of rice and buckwheat, there is no corn. There are no prebiotics, fruit fillings in Frutonyanya products, only classic flavors of cereals. The advantages include low cost. The disadvantages of the products of the Frutonyanya company are a meager assortment, and these cereals are not sold everywhere either.

Dry powders are bred without problems, no lumps are formed, the taste and aroma are classic, characteristic of the present cereal.

Agusha

A well-known baby food company on the Russian market. In addition to juices, all kinds of fruit, vegetable purees and dairy products, there is a line of cereals without milk, which can be consumed by children from 5 months. The disadvantages of products from Agushi include a short shelf life, as well as a small package size.

All dry cereals are easily bred, well absorbed by the child's body, and rarely cause allergies. The taste is pleasant, slightly sweet.

Remedia

The company produces dry cereals without milk and other fillers. A special feature is the addition of vitamins in special capsules. They preserve the benefits and integrity of substances, protect against the negative effects of high temperatures. The disadvantages include the high cost. The advantage of "Remedia" is a relatively economical consumption when compared with other similar cereals.

Dry porridge for complementary foods is bred well, if you do not use boiling water. In this case, lumps appear that are difficult to knead.

Dairy-free cereals with disadvantages

Despite the availability and transparency of information about cereal complementary foods, dietary features and rules, not all manufacturers strive for the ideal. There are several ready-made powder products that need to be treated with caution.

What cereals should you pay attention to:

1. "Diaper" rice contains particles of fructose.
2. In porridges from "Agusha" there may be salt, sugar. You need to carefully study the information on a specific package.
3. Mixed porridge "Baby" from buckwheat and corn contains a small percentage of milk. It is small, but lactose intolerance can cause a reaction.
4. Friso porridge contains vanillin, sucrose.

It is very important when buying cereal complementary foods to study the data indicated on the package. Technologies change, innovations appear in production every year, they cannot be foreseen in advance. Attentiveness and a reasonable approach are the main criteria for choosing products for the first complementary foods.