We used to automatically feed babies rice cereal as a first food. That pasty, bland cereal preference has fallen to the wayside due to the concern of arsenic levels naturally found in rice. Instead, many people are choosing iron fortified baby oatmeal as a first food. Oatmeal naturally contains fibre and therefore has less of a chance of causing constipation as compared to classic rice cereal, and is fortified with iron, the important mineral that many breastfed babies need to get in via complimentary foods.
Iron-fortified baby oatmeal is easily prepared. Just mix with breast milk or formula (follow the directions on the box for exact quantities) and watch your baby open her mouth to accept the yumminess. Over time, you can mix foods like pureed fruit into the oatmeal for added variety.