Oats for Babies: Porridge and Oat Fingers by Age

• From around 6 months
• Contains gluten
• Soft and thick is easiest

Oats are a great first food from around 6 months: filling, easy to cook and a good base for fruit. Cook them into a thick, soft porridge. Oats contain gluten, which can be introduced from around 6 months like other foods.

📲 90 Bibful recipes with oats

How to serve it by age

1. 6–8 months

   ✋ Finger food (BLW)

   Cook porridge thick enough to stick to a spoon, then hand your baby a pre-loaded spoon to bring to their mouth.

   🥣 Purée or spoon

   Thick, smooth porridge made with breast milk, formula or water, on its own or with mashed fruit.

3. 9–12 months

   ✋ Finger food (BLW)

   Roll thick porridge into small balls, or offer soft baked oat fingers or oat pancakes.

   🥣 Purée or spoon

   Porridge with more texture, mixed with grated apple or mashed berries.

5. 12+ months

   ✋ Finger food (BLW)

   Soft oat muffins, pancakes or oat bars without added sugar.

   🥣 Purée or spoon

   Porridge with a spoon, so your toddler can practise scooping.

Have oats at home? See what you can cook

Add a second ingredient to see matching Bibful recipes.

✓ 🥣 Oats+ 🍌 Banana+ 🍎 Apple+ 🫐 Blueberries+ 🥛 Yogurt+ 🥜 Peanut Butter

90 Bibful recipes with oats

• 
  Banana Yogurt Oats3 min · from 6 months
• 
  Pear, Beetroot & Blueberry Overnight Oats5 min · from 6 months
• 
  Piña Colada Overnight Oats5 min · from 6 months

See the recipes in Bibful

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Preparation tips

• Thick, not runny. Thicker porridge stays on a spoon and in little hands.
• No added sugar or honey. Sweeten with mashed banana or grated apple instead. Honey isn’t safe before 12 months.
• Skip granola. Hard clusters, nuts and dried fruit in granola and oat bars are a choking risk for babies.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies eat oats?

From around 6 months, cooked into a thick, soft porridge.

Are oats gluten-free?

No. Oats contain gluten (or are often mixed with wheat), which can be introduced from around 6 months unless your doctor advises otherwise.

More first foods

• 🍎 Apple
• 🥑 Avocado
• 🍌 Banana
• 🥩 Beef
• 🫐 Blueberries
• 🍞 Bread
• 🥦 Broccoli
• 🎃 Butternut squash
• 🥕 Carrot
• 🍗 Chicken
• 🥚 Egg
• 🫛 Green beans
• 🫘 Lentils
• 🥜 Peanut
• 🍐 Pear
• 🐟 Salmon
• 🍓 Strawberries
• 🍠 Sweet potato
• 🥛 Yogurt

This page is general information, not medical advice. It follows NHS Start for Life and World Health Organization guidance on introducing solid foods. Always stay with your baby while they eat, and speak to your health visitor or GP if you have concerns about feeding, allergies or choking.