Cereal for babies vs. toddlers

[Anonymous]

What's the difference between cereal for babies and cereal for toddlers?

[Anonymous]

probably not much. I think baby cereals are probably milled with a finer texture. (and a bigger price tag.) A toddler could probably eat "adult" oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, grits, etc.

fyi - don't buy a big box of anything unless you're sure your kid will eat it. My daughter refused to eat bland baby cereal after she started eating more exciting foods at 6 mos.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to tag on, but does anyone have an opinion for when to stop feeding a child rice cereal? Our 15 m/o still chows it down every morning and it makes life so much easier then trying to figure out what she will eat for breakfast. She gets normal finger food for snacks, lunch and dinner - but I have stuck to rice cereal for breakfast. I guess I should try oatmeal - but she hated any of the baby cereals except rice cereal - she's even picky about brand and I think it is a consistency issue. Opinions welcome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to tag on, but does anyone have an opinion for when to stop feeding a child rice cereal? Our 15 m/o still chows it down every morning and it makes life so much easier then trying to figure out what she will eat for breakfast. She gets normal finger food for snacks, lunch and dinner - but I have stuck to rice cereal for breakfast. I guess I should try oatmeal - but she hated any of the baby cereals except rice cereal - she's even picky about brand and I think it is a consistency issue. Opinions welcome!

Great question! My 10 month old just loves Earth's Best cereal mixed with a pureed fruit, and it seems very nutritious and healthy, so I'm wondering if and when I need to get him off of it (and why?).

[Anonymous]

I'm not a doctor or nutrition professional, but there's probably nothing wrong with continuing the rice cereal if your kid likes it and it's not crowding out other food groups like protein and veggies and fruit. I mean, babies need carbs too. I am 37 and I still like rice and other hot cereals! (though I shake things up by alternating oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits and bran cereal.)

[Anonymous]

I would get some diversity in there while your child is still willing to try new things. After a while they often get so set, you may be making that oatmeal every day for far longer than you wish, carrying it with you when you go to restaurants or travel, etc.

[Anonymous]

My daughter (almost 3) loves the low sugar apples/cinnamon oatmeal. I make it with her 1% milk instead of water and add a little cold milk after it's cooked in the microwave. Helps keep her full until lunch time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would get some diversity in there while your child is still willing to try new things. After a while they often get so set, you may be making that oatmeal every day for far longer than you wish, carrying it with you when you go to restaurants or travel, etc.

I just want to echo this. My DD who is now 22 months is completely set in her ways and has to have the exact same thing every day. She still prefers everything pureed (except cheerios and some crackers). It is a huge pain in the butt. I would start trying things like waffles, pancakes, etc. Hopefully you won't have the same problem, though.