Brown rice (also called ‘Ofada Rice’ in Nigeria) is healthier and more nutritious than white rice. This is because it has not been stripped off its several layer composition, in contrast with white rice which has been milled and polished to remove almost all its layers thereby stripping off a majority of the nutrients. White rice on its own offers little nutrition and is basically refined starch.
Brown rice is a better option for baby and even the whole family…it contains vitamins (B1, B3 & B6), minerals (phosphorus, manganese) essential fatty acids and fibre which are all lost in the production of white rice. It is a good weaning food for babies and one of the cereals that are commercially introduced to babies from 4-6 months.
You can actually make brown rice cereal at home for your baby by simply washing, drying and grinding the brown rice into powder with your food processor or the dry mill of your blender. Store in an airtight container to retain freshness. You can make and freeze in small food pots or ice cube trays to get handy baby portions. You can then either cook traditionally, or alternatively brown rice instant pot style is just as delicious and a little quicker.
Homemade Baby Brown Rice Cereal Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsps ground brown rice
- 15 tbsps water
- Breast or formula milk
Method:
- Put the water in a pot and bring to boil.
- Add the rice powder, stirring constantly on low heat to avoid clumping on sticking on the pot. Simmer for about 8-10 minutes then bring down.
- Add the breast or formula milk till get the consistency your baby prefers. Preferably introduce a lighter texture first before making it thicker.
Note: You can subsequently introduce other tastes to baby’s cereal with fruit purees, spices and a combination of other foods.
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Chioma thank u for ur quick response, and this great ideal. I actually make my baby cereal myself including Oat, millet, wheat. But d white rice is d problem my baby doesn’t like it unless use fruits like banana, apple n carrot. Please what kind of type of seasoning will I use for my 6months baby to spicy his meal?
Buchi, aadding the fruits and veggies to the rice is good. You can also add cheese, mashed egg, avocado and spices like crayfish, pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, dry fish etc.
I think for proper hygiene d brown rice needs to be washed n dry then u can grind it, my question is can I dry it in my pot Becos of the weather.rainy there since last week not sunny atal
While I may agree with you, it still depends on where you bought your rice and not washing it is not really bad. You can try the method you said…I haven’t done it and can’t advise concretely.
Please which fish oil is good for baby’s brain and eyesight? Can I make use of the common cod.liver oil .. Also where can I get unsweetened yogurt for my baby… He’s 7months and I just concluded the the Ebf for him….
Temitayo, babies get omega-3 from food sources including fish like mackerel, salmon & tuna. Check with your doctor if you want a supplement. Check shops and check the labels for unsweetened yogurt.
Hi dear. You have saved the day
I actually had argument with hubby over looking for brown rice for our 8 months old baby
We never knew it was the local rice. Thanks so much. We will have a good laugh when I get home.
I’m laughing with you too Agatha. Glad you found something good here.
Well done . Pls what other homade baby cereal can i do for my baby apart from this rice cereal or with the rice cereal. Thank you
Browse through Funmi, you will see some more foods here.
I blended my baby rice in a mill but iit is not smooth, is kind of rough, is it OK, or can it be better because my little boy (6 months) can’t swallow any food that is not smooth. Please I need urgent reply. Thanks.
Hi Kiki,
For a 6 month old, you need to start with smooth first. If your dry mill is not milling it well, you can cook first and then add milk and blend it with the blender jug to get a smooth puree.
pls chioma can i use the foreign rice incase am unable to get the brown rice
Yes you can Nma.
Great job you are doing here……my baby just turned 7 months and he was ebf…..but found out he has allergies…… Millet,rice ,soya, wheat, crayfish, guinea corn ,banana, and a whole lot…….its overwhelming trying to figure out what to feed him…….at 3 months he weighed 7.6kg but now he is 7.9 at 7 months….paediatrician says we have to keep experimenting to figure out what he all tolerate……….its so exhausting…….any advise
Hello Nneka, thank you so much. I will advise you to listen to your paediatrician only who is the expert. Allergies can be difficult to pinpoint unless an allergy test is performed on the child. Have you asked your paediatrician about that? Otherwise, you have to persevere and keep on experimenting until you figure out the culprit. What I would add is that while experimenting, ensure you add one ingredient at a time in a particular meal. That way, it will help you detect faster if that is the one causing problem…your doctor may have told you this too. I wish you all the best.
Wow m glad I found u @mummysyum my baby will be six months by ending can I Starr weaning he r from now or wait? Also does pap have good nutrients for babys and does ur weaning book have puree recipes for baby’s?
Hello namesake, you are very welcome. If baby is ready, you can sure start. The weaning book give you all the information you need as well as recipes to start with.
On a quest to make eating very interesting for my boy who just turned 6 months, i stumbled on @mummysyum…..indeed its mummysyum,thank you for all the wonderful recipes you have shared. I cant wait to start exploring,God bless you.
Thank you so much Victoria.