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Evening Porridge
Milk and Cereal Porridge
If your baby has learned to eat from a spoon with the midday porridge and is taking to it well, you can offer him the second porridge about a month later. Now the porridge is added to the evening meal plan.
A milk-and-grain porridge is recommended for the evening.
Why is that?
- The combination of milk and grains is particularly beneficial because their nutrients complement each other perfectly and are better absorbed when consumed together.
- The milk-and-grain porridge provides plenty of energy for growth, easily digestible protein, and important minerals.
- Thanks to the recommended whole grains, the milk-and-grain porridge is also very filling - something many parents especially appreciate in the evening to help their child sleep longer.
Basic Recipe for Evening Porridge
For one serving, use the following ingredients:
- 200 ml whole milk, 3.5% fat (not raw milk or premium milk) or infant formula
- 20 g whole-grain cereal (flakes) or semolina
- 2 tbsp fruit juice or mashed fruit
Add the cereal flakes to cold milk or stir the semolina into boiling milk. Let it cook for 3 minutes. Then stir in the fruit juice or fruit puree. Let it cool slightly and it’s ready.
Important:
The milk-cereal porridge has only a slightly sweet taste. Nevertheless, please do not add any additional sweetener to the porridge. Honey is also not recommended during the first year of life.
FAQ on Making Your Own Evening Porridge
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When can my baby start eating milk-based cereal?Starting around 6 months, when your baby is ready for solid foods and has fully accepted the midday meal.
Milk-based cereal porridge is recommended as the second porridge meal to introduce.
This porridge is particularly well-suited as an evening meal because it is filling and provides many important nutrients.
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What kind of milk should I use for the porridge?
For babies in their first year of life, the following is recommended:
- Whole milk (pasteurized, 3.5% fat) in small amounts
- or infant formula (Pre), if you’d rather avoid cow’s milk
Raw milk is not suitable.
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Which grain is best?Please use whole-grain cereals, as they contain more nutrients.
The following are well-tolerated and popular:
- Oatmeal
- Millet flakes
- Spelt flakes
- Rice flakes
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Do I need to add sugar or a sweetener?No - and it's not recommended either.
Babies don't need any extra sugar. Fruit puree or mashed banana are more than enough to give the porridge a pleasant sweetness.
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Can I make a batch of porridge to keep on hand?It tastes best when it's fresh.
When you're in a hurry:
- Store cooked porridge in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
- Reheat thoroughly and stir well before feeding
It’s best to add fresh fruit puree.
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What should I do if my baby doesn't like the baby food?That's perfectly normal. Babies sometimes need several tries before they come to like a certain flavor.
Here's what you can do to help:
- Try a different type of grain
- Vary the fruit
- Adjust the consistency - maybe your baby prefers the porridge thinner or thicker
The important thing is to stay patient. Because patience pays off.
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Can I use plant-based milk alternatives?No. Oat milk, almond milk, rice milk, and similar products are not suitable for babies.
They don't contain enough protein and nutrients.
If you want to avoid cow's milk, infant formula (preferably the "Pre" stage) is the safe alternative.
If you don't feel like cooking
Our experts at Alete Family Services are here for you.
If you have questions about nutrition during the weaning stage or about our products, our experienced colleagues at Alete Family Service will be happy to offer you advice and assistance.
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Phone: 0800-1125205
Email: info@alete.de
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