Rice porridge
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- low
- Common allergen
- no
- Iron
- low
Not an allergen · vary grains for arsenic
Note
FDA advises not to rely on rice alone for infants and toddlers; rotate rice with oats, barley and quinoa.
When can babies eat rice porridge?
When can babies have rice porridge?
Rice porridge can be offered once baby is ready for solids, from about 6 months. The NHS lists rice, oats and porridge among suitable starchy foods at 6 months. It can be cooked and mashed, or offered as a finger food.
Nutrition
Rice mainly provides carbohydrate. Because porridge is soft, it is a common early food. On its own it is not rich in iron. It works well alongside iron sources such as meat, legumes or egg. The AAP advises including foods that provide iron and zinc, such as meat or iron-fortified cereals.
How do you prepare rice porridge for babies?
Preparation basics
Cook the rice until it is very soft. Make it thick enough to stay on a spoon. Use unsalted water or unsalted meat broth as the cooking liquid. The NHS says babies do not need salt or sugar added to their food. Do not add honey or sugar. Honey is not given in any form before 12 months.
Pressing the grains together with the back of a fork makes it easier for baby to self-feed.
Arsenic and grain variety
Rice can contain inorganic arsenic. The FDA set an action level of 100 ppb for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. The FDA also notes that oat, barley and multigrain infant cereals can be a first cereal. So instead of using rice as the only grain, rotate it with other grains.
Preparation by age
The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.
6 months
6 months · How to prepare as a puréemash
Cut: Fork mashed
Cook the rice in meat broth or coconut milk until it reaches a thick porridge texture that stays on the spoon. Let baby grab it with their hands, or offer a preloaded spoon. You can also shape cooked rice into large, soft balls. Loose rice grains can cause coughing, so press the grains together with the back of a fork. Steamed rice cakes such as mochi are not served.
9 months
9 months · How to servemash
Cut: Fork mashed
Serve moist cooked rice plain, shaped into balls or mixed into a dish. Gently press it with the back of a fork so the grains stick together, which helps baby feed themselves. If you give rice cereal, alternate it with oat or multigrain cereals to lower arsenic exposure.
12 months
12 months · How to servecube
Serve cooked rice as a porridge or as lightly pressed grains. Prepare sweet rice dishes such as sütlaç with no sugar or very little sugar. Rotate other grains in as well. A saucy vegetable dish alongside makes eating easier.
Is rice porridge a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: low
Loose rice grains can cause coughing. Press the grains together with a fork. Sticky rice cakes such as mochi are not served.
Choking risk
Soft cooked rice porridge is low risk. Loose single grains can cause coughing. Press the grains together. Do not give babies sticky steamed rice cakes such as mochi. The CDC advises seating your baby upright and watching closely during meals.
Is rice porridge a common allergen?
Allergen status
Rice is not on the allergen list that the NHS advises introducing one at a time from 6 months (cow's milk, eggs, gluten, nuts, seeds, soya, fish, shellfish). Rice is naturally gluten free. Still, starting any new food in a small amount and watching for a reaction is good practice. If you cook it in milk or broth, watch for the allergens in those ingredients.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about rice porridge
Can I give rice porridge every day?
Because rice can contain arsenic, the FDA advises varying grains. Rotate it with oat, barley or multigrain options.
Can I add sugar or honey to the porridge?
No. The NHS says no sugar should be added to baby food. Honey is not given before 12 months. Use mashed fresh fruit to sweeten instead.
Is rice porridge enough on its own?
It is not enough on its own. Rice mainly provides carbohydrate. Serve it with iron and zinc sources such as meat, egg or legumes.
Is it safe to cook it in meat broth?
Unsalted, skimmed broth is fine. Avoid stock cubes and salty broth, because babies should not eat much salt.
Sources for this page
- Dünya Sağlık Örgütü. (2023). Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age.
- NHS. (n.d.). Preparing food safely for babies.
- CDC, Infant and Toddler Nutrition. (n.d.). Choking Hazards.
- U.S. FDA. (2020). FDA issues final guidance for industry on action level for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereals.
- NHS Best Start in Life. (n.d.). 6 months: Feeding your baby.
- NHS. (n.d.). Foods to avoid giving babies and young children.
- AAP, HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). Starting solid foods.
Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides
Medical note
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.
The Lokmini app
Log rice porridge, reactions and your allergen journey in the app.
Open in LokminiLokmini is coming soon to the App Store.
Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com