Barley baby cereal is a good alternative to rice cereal for babies starting solid foods. It is easily digested and can be bought prepackaged or made at home. It can be mixed with milk or other pureed baby food and can be served hot or cold.
Barley baby cereal is a single grain cereal that can be given to babies who are starting to eat solid foods. Many pediatricians and parents recommend using rice cereal as the first grain to introduce, but barley can be used shortly thereafter or if a child does not tolerate rice well. Prepackaged barley baby cereal is available at most grocery stores, usually for less than $2 United States Dollars (USD) per box. It is prepared similarly to instant oatmeal, by adding water, breast milk or formula and mixing to the desired consistency. There are also recipes for making home-made baby cereal from barley.
Most babies start eating solid foods between four and six months old, although the specific times may be different for some. Grains that come from a single grain, such as rice, oatmeal and barley, are often recommended as baby’s first foods because they are usually easily digested and not likely to cause allergic reactions. Barley baby cereals are made with the same grain often found in soups and stews, but commercial preparations often have added iron and other vitamins and minerals. Some types of baby cereals may also have other flavors, such as banana or apple. It comes in dry form, usually in a box, and can be kept in the pantry, although it usually has an expiration date printed on the package.
Barley baby cereal looks like small white flakes and has a texture similar to instant oatmeal. Only liquid should be added to the prepackaged product, which can be hot or cold depending on the child’s preferences. The cereal should be very low-fat for babies who are just learning to eat and can be made thicker or mixed with other pureed baby foods when a baby starts eating more foods.
Many parents prefer to make baby food at home, and there are recipes for making baby cereals available. Barley that is purchased at the store must be hulled or pearled, as whole barley cannot be removed from the hull easily. The grain should be ground into a fine powder in a blender or food processor and then added to boiling water and stirred for about 10 minutes. When the cereal is cooked, it will develop a creamy texture and can be served on its own or with milk or other pureed baby food. Older children can also have small pieces of fruit or vegetables in their barley baby cereal.
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