Oats are a good food for your baby to self-feed, whether for baby-led weaning, which happens around 6 months of age, or during the finger foods stage at 9 months.

Cooled in Chunks or on a Spoon (6+ months): Oatmeal can be pre-loaded onto a spoon to help encourage baby to self-feed using utensils or can be made into chunks that are big enough for baby to pick up with a palmar grasp. 

Strips of Oatmeal Pancakes, Mixed into Muffins or Meatballs (9+ months): Pancakes are a fun and different way to serve oats. You can even add in different fruits and vegetables, like blueberries, bananas, or carrots, for more flavor.

Oats for Self-Feeding

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Age: 6+ months 

Ingredients 

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup old-fashioned or rolled oats
• 1 cup peaches, apples, plums, pears, etc, chopped - fresh or frozen
• 1/2 tsp hemp seeds (optional)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 

Instructions

1. 1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add in the oats, cinnamon, and chopped fruit. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until most of the water has been absorbed and the oats are tender. Let cool slightly. 
   2. Spoon clumps of oatmeal on a plate, and refrigerate until cooled and somewhat stuck together. Place in a baby bowl or on your baby's highchair. 

Notes

Age: 6+ months

Yield: 2 portions for baby

Baby-Led Weaning: oats can be hard for your baby to pick up and feed themselves (oh, the mess!). A great way to serve oats as a finger food is by simply spooning a couple of strips or round shapes of cooked oats on a plate and then letting them cool off on the counter or in the fridge. Once cold, the oats will harden enough for your baby to be able to pick them up by themselves. I’m not saying there won’t be a mess.. but it will be less of a mess and definitely easier for your baby to self-feed.

Storage: can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 4 days in the fridge or 4 months in the freezer. 

Puree for Self-Feeding: Yes, it can be done! You can offer purees and still allow your baby to lead the way with self-feeding.

• Place a few spoonfuls of purees directly on the tray or in a bowl for your baby to dip fingers into. Model how to dip your fingers into the puree and bring them to your mouth, to taste some.
• Offer your baby a pre-loaded self-feeding utensil and hold it out for them to grasp or set on their tray. 
• Use a solid food as a dipper. You can also offer a soft stick-shaped piece of food, such as a soft roasted carrot or bread lightly toasted and cut into strips to dip into the puree.

Nutritional Information

• Oats are packed with many nutrients, including antioxidants, manganese, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin B1. 
• They are also a great source of two different types of fiber, which help keep your little one's digestive tract going strong, help stabilize blood sugar, as well as support baby’s cardiovascular health.