Top 7 Best Organic Baby Cereal Picks (2023)

Looking for the best organic baby cereal to introduce solids to your baby? Here are 7 top picks to get started with. Happy eating! Click here to skip directly to the list.

If your little one is finally ready to start solids, cereal is a great transitional food that you can introduce them to. But how do you know what kind of cereal to feed them? 

Well, you obviously want something that is nutritious, easy to prepare, and tasty for your little one.

The problem is, there are so many options out there for you to choose from. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best organic baby cereal for your baby?

Because the amount of food babies eat is actually very small, you want to be offering them new foods that are packed with nutritional value for their growing bodies.

I also think it’s important to choose organic food options for your baby to avoid exposure to potentially harmful pesticides.

Well, if that’s the question on your mind, I’ve got you covered. I did a lot of research to compile this list of the top 7 best organic baby cereals of 2023 – including testing them with my own baby.

All the brands included here are made using natural ingredients and are fortified with iron and other essential nutrients. They are also free of GMOs and artificial additives that many organically-minded mamas like myself tend to avoid.

It’s a priority for me to choose organic products and organic food for my own kids. I pick organic when I can with everything from vitamins to their pillows, sheets, and blankets to their clothes and pajamas.

So whether you’re looking for a single-grain cereal, a multi-grain blend, or a fruit and grain puree, you’ll find it all here. This blog post is all about the best organic baby cereal for babies. Let’s dive into the best baby cereals!

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Top 7 Best Organic Baby Cereals (2023)

Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Baby Oatmeal Cereal

If you are looking for a simple and wholesome cereal for your baby, you might want to try this one from Earth’s Best. It is made with organic oats that are free of pesticides and GMOs.

It is also packed with iron to help your baby’s development. You can easily prepare it by mixing it with breast milk, formula, or water.

Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Baby Oatmeal Cereal has a smooth texture and a natural oat flavor that your kiddo will enjoy! 

Pros:

• Made with organic oats
• Iron-fortified baby cereal
• No artificial ingredients
• Smooth texture and natural flavor

Cons:

• May not be gluten-free

Earth’s Best Organic Multi-Grain Infant Cereal

Earth’s Best Organic Multi-Grain Infant Cereal is a great way to introduce your baby to a variety of grains and flavors.

This cereal is made with a blend of organic oats, barley, and spelt. It also has iron to support your baby’s growth and development.

Plus, it does not have any artificial ingredients that could harm your baby’s health. This cereal has a variety of textures and flavors that your baby will love.

Pros:

• Made with a blend of organic grains
• Fortified with iron
• No artificial ingredients
• Variety of textures and flavors for your baby to explore

Cons:

• Not gluten-free

Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Oats & Quinoa Baby Cereal

This cereal from Happy Baby Organics is a unique and nutritious option for your baby. It is made with organic oats and quinoa, two super grains that are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.

This cereal is also fortified with iron. also has iron to support your baby’s growth and development. It is super easy to prepare; all you have to do is mix it with breast milk, formula, or water.

You can then adjust the thickness according to your baby’s liking. Your baby will love its nutty flavor and hearty texture!

Pros:

• Made with organic oats and quinoa
• Fortified with iron and Vitamin C
• No artificial ingredients
• Comes with a nutty flavor and hearty texture

Cons:

• May be too thick for some babies
• Plastic packaging may not be eco-friendly

Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Oatmeal Baby Cereal

Happy Baby Organics Clearly Crafted Oatmeal Baby Cereal is a simple and satisfying choice for your little one.

It is made with organic oats that are high in fiber, vitamins (like b vitamins and vitamin e), and minerals. It also has iron to help your baby’s growth and development.

You’ll love that it comes with no artificial ingredients that could harm your baby’s health. This cereal has a natural oat flavor and a smooth texture that your baby will like.

Pros:

• Made with organic oats
• Fortified with iron
• No artificial ingredients
• Natural oat flavor and smooth texture

Cons:

• May be too bland for some babies palettes

Amara Organic Baby Food Ancient Grain Cereal with Fruit Bites

This cereal from Amara Organic Baby Food is a fun and flavorful option for your baby.

It is made with organic ancient grains, such as millet, buckwheat, and amaranth, that are packed with protein, fiber, and antioxidants.

It also has organic fruit bites, such as banana, strawberries, and mango, that add natural sweetness and vitamins. Your little one will go nuts over this cereal’s fruity flavor and crunchy texture!

I think this one personally is for slightly more advanced eaters – after your baby has been having solids for several weeks or months.

Pros:

• Made with organic ancient grains and fruit bites
• No artificial ingredients
• Fruity flavor and crunchy texture
• Easy to prepare

Cons:

• May be too sweet for some babies
• May contain allergens such as strawberries

Ready, Set, Food! Organic Baby Oatmeal Cereal

Ready, Set, Food! Organic Baby Oatmeal Cereal is one of our top picks for this list.

This cereal is more than just a cereal; it is also a system that is designed to help your baby prevent food allergies. It is made with organic oats that are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

It also has organic peanut, egg, and milk powders that will introduce your baby to these common allergens in a safe and gradual way.

In this way, your baby gets to enjoy benefits far beyond a full tummy at every feeding session! 

Pros:

• Made with organic oats and allergen powders
• No artificial ingredients
• Mild taste and smooth texture
• Helps prevent food allergies

Cons:

• May not be suitable for babies with existing allergies

Else Nutrition Super Cereal For Babies

This cereal from Else Nutrition is a superfood for your baby.

It is made with organic almonds, buckwheat, and tapioca that provide your baby with plant-based protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.

It also has 20 vitamins and minerals that support your baby’s growth and development. That’s why it’s made it to the top of our list. Your little one will love its nutty flavor and creamy texture!

Pros:

• Made with organic almonds, buckwheat, and tapioca
• No artificial ingredients
• Nutty flavor and creamy texture
• Provides plant-based protein and healthy fats
• USDA organic

Cons:

• May contain allergens such as almonds

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Baby Cereal FAQ for Parents

Why do parents start with cereal as a first food?

Many parents start with cereal as a first food. Chances are your own parents started you on cereal when you were a baby yourself.

Your pediatrician may have even suggested that you mix some oatmeal with breast milk or formula and offer it to your baby with a spoon at six months.

But exactly why do so many parents turn to cereal as a first food? Is it really the best option for your baby? And are there any alternatives?

Well, there are several reasons why parents choose cereal as a first food for their babies. Here are some of the main ones: 

• Cereal is generally easy to digest and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. This makes it a great choice for babies who are ready to begin swallowing foods thicker than breast milk or formula. Plus, it can be mixed to a thicker or thinner consistency, typically using breast milk or formula, depending on your baby’s development and ability to swallow.
• Many cereal brands come fortified with iron and other nutrients that babies need. Iron is an essential mineral for your baby’s brain and body development. Babies are born with iron stores that last for about six months. After that, they need iron from food sources to prevent iron deficiency and anemia. Iron-fortified cereals are a good way to provide your baby with this important nutrient.
• Cereal has a bland taste and a smooth texture that can help babies get used to solid foods. That said, not all baby cereals are created equal. Some may contain added sugars or artificial flavors that you may want to avoid. This is why you need to look for cereals that are made with whole grains, organic ingredients, and no added sweeteners.

Cereal is not the only option for your baby’s first food. In fact, some experts suggest diversifying your baby’s diet by offering a variety of other foods including grains, fruits, vegetables, meats, and legumes.

Diversification in this way exposes your baby to different flavors, textures, colors, and nutrients.

When you start offering your baby whole foods rather than spoon-feeding them purees, this is called baby-led weaning.

Baby-led refers to letting your child lead the way when it comes to exploring tastes and textures. Weaning refers to the slow switch in their diet from mostly-liquid to mostly-solid. This process takes about 6-8 months.

When do babies start eating cereal?

Well, the general recommendation is to start offering solid foods, including cereal, at around 6 months of age.

By then, most babies have the skills required to eat and swallow solid foods. You will notice signs that your baby is ready to eat solids, including: 

• Sitting up with support and holding their head steady
• Showing interest in your food and reaching for it
• Opening their mouth when they see food coming
• Moving food from the front to the back of their mouth and swallowing it

Of course, every baby is different, and some may be ready a little earlier or later than others.

That’s why it’s important to follow your baby’s cues and your pediatrician’s advice. It’s a good idea to not rush or pressure your baby to eat solids before they’re ready.

In recent years, the recommended age for starting solids has changed but the CDC recommends around 6 months.

My Personal Experience

In my personal experience, our pediatrician pushed solids around 4.5 months. My son was definitely not showing the signs of readiness until closer to 7 months. My second son, on the other hand, was more than ready at 5.5 months. Follow your baby’s cues! *Not medical advice, just my experience.*

How should you serve organic baby cereal?

Now that you know when to start offering cereal to your baby, you might be wondering how to serve it.

Here are some tips to help you do it easily and safely from the first spoonful:

• Use a small bowl and a soft-tipped spoon. You don’t need any fancy dishes or utensils for feeding your baby cereal. Just use a small bowl that’s easy to hold and a spoon that’s gentle on your baby’s gums. We liked these spoons and these spoons, personally.
• Mix the cereal with breast milk, formula, or water. The first time you feed your little one, mix a small amount of cereal (about 1 tablespoon) with about 4 tablespoons of water, milk, or infant formula to make a thin consistency. As your baby gets used to eating cereal, you can gradually reduce the amount of liquid and make the cereal thicker.
• Heat liquid of choice. To warm the cereal you can heat your liquid of choice (breastmilk, formula or water) and mix it with the cereal. Be sure to test it yourself before feeding your baby.
• Don’t serve it from a bottle. Feeding cereal from a bottle can cause choking, overfeeding, and obesity. It can also interfere with your baby’s development of feeding skills and appetite regulation. The only exception is if your pediatrician recommends it for a medical reason. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against this practice.
• Offer it with a spoon after your baby’s regular feeding session. This way, your little one will not be too hungry or too full to try something new. Start with a small amount (1 to 2 teaspoons) once or twice a day and increase it gradually. Hold the spoon near your baby’s mouth and let them open up and lean forward to take it. Don’t force the spoon into their mouth. 
• Adjust the temperature and flavor as needed. You don’t have to heat up the cereal before serving it to your baby, but you might want to warm it up slightly if it’s too cold. You can also add some flavor to the cereal by mixing in some pureed fruit or vegetable, but avoid adding any sugar or salt.

Also I didn’t realize this as a first-time-mom, but most baby cereals aren’t good for that long once opened! Just be mindful of the expiration and “best by” dates on the packaging.

What to know about rice cereal

Rice cereal is one of the most common first foods for babies. It’s easy to digest, low in allergens, and fortified with iron.

However, it can also contain arsenic, which is a toxic metal that can harm your baby’s health. 

Arsenic is a natural element that is found in soil, water, and rocks. It can also be released into the environment by human activities, such as mining, farming, and burning fossil fuels.

Arsenic can contaminate crops that are grown in polluted areas, especially rice.

Rice absorbs more arsenic than other grains because it grows in flooded fields which makes it easy for the arsenic to move from the soil into the plant. 

Arsenic can cause various health problems, such as cancer and heart disease. In babies and children, exposure to arsenic can affect their growth, development, and learning abilities.

The good news is that there are ways to reduce your baby’s exposure to arsenic from rice cereal.

Here is how to decrease your baby’s exposure to arsenic in cereal: 

• Check the labels or websites of the brands you buy and look for information on their arsenic levels or testing methods, then only go for brands that are low in arsenic. 
• Vary the grains you feed your baby. Don’t rely on rice cereal as the only source of iron or grains for your baby. Offer other iron-fortified cereals made from oats, barley, or quinoa. You can also introduce other foods that are rich in iron, such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, and lentils.
• Cook rice with plenty of water. If you cook rice for your baby or family, use a ratio of six cups of water to one cup of rice and drain the excess water after cooking. This can reduce the arsenic content by up to 60%.
• Limit the number of rice products you give your baby. Apart from rice cereal, be aware of other foods that may contain rice such as rice milk, rice cakes, rice crackers, rice noodles, and rice syrup. 

Why does organic baby cereal matter?

Organic baby cereal is cereal that is made from grains that are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or irradiation. 

Organic farmers use natural methods to control pests and weeds, such as crop rotation, composting, and biological control. This also allows them to preserve soil quality, water resources, biodiversity, and animal welfare.

Organic baby cereal has several benefits for your baby’s health and development, including: 

• It reduces your baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals. Organic baby cereal is free of pesticides and other chemicals and has lower levels of heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
• It provides more nutrients and antioxidants. Organic grains have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals than conventional grains. These nutrients are essential for your baby’s growth and development. 
• It supports your baby’s gut health. Organic grains are rich in dietary fiber, which feeds the beneficial bacteria in your baby’s gut. These bacteria help digest food, produce vitamins, regulate immunity, and prevent infections.
• It offers more variety and flavor. Organic baby cereal comes with different types of grains, such as oatmeal, barley, quinoa, millet, and buckwheat. These grains have different textures, colors, and tastes that can stimulate your baby’s senses and palate. They can also be mixed with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, spices, and herbs to create delicious and nutritious combinations.

Therefore, while organic baby cereal may cost more than conventional baby cereal, it is absolutely worth the investment for your baby’s health and well-being. 

What to look for in baby cereals

Here is a list of some of the most important things to look for when shopping for your little one’s baby cereal: 

• Iron fortification: Iron is an essential mineral for your baby’s brain and body development. Iron-fortified cereals are a good way to provide your baby with this important nutrient. Go for cereals that have at least 45% of the daily value of iron per serving.
• Whole grains: Whole grains are grains that have not been refined or processed to remove their outer layers. They contain more fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than refined grains. Look for cereals that are made from whole grains.
• Organic ingredients: Look for cereals that are certified organic by the USDA or other reputable organizations to be 100% organic.
• Low arsenic levels: Rice cereal is one of the most common first foods for babies, but it can also contain high levels of arsenic, which can harm your baby’s health. Look for rice cereals with low arsenic levels. You can also limit the amount of rice cereal you feed your baby and offer other types of cereals instead.
• No added sugar or salt: Babies don’t need any added sugar or salt in their food. These ingredients can affect your baby’s taste preferences and appetite regulation. Go for cereals that have no added sugar or salt on the ingredient list or nutrition label.

Final Thoughts on the Best Organic Baby Cereal

It is true that choosing the best organic baby cereal for your little one can be tough. However, we hope that our list of the top 7 best organic baby cereals this year has helped you narrow down your choices a bit.

All the options here are made with high-quality organic ingredients that are gentle on your baby’s digestive system and provide essential nutrients for their growth and development.

Plus, they are delicious and easy to prepare! Remember, the best organic baby cereal is the one that your baby loves and thrives on! Good luck!