Grains Food Library
When can babies have cream of wheat?
Can babies have cream of wheat?
Babies can have cream of wheat from about 6 months, cooked smooth and cooled. Plain cream of wheat is fortified with iron, so it is a useful early grain. Cream of wheat is made from wheat, a common allergen, so introduce it carefully and keep it in the diet once tolerated.
How to serve cream of wheat by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Cook plain cream of wheat with water, breast milk or formula until smooth, cool it, and offer it on a spoon or a pre-loaded spoon. Stir in smooth fruit or vegetable puree or a little thinned nut butter for flavor.
7–8 months
Cook cream of wheat a little thicker and stir in fork-mashed fruit like banana or pear for a lumpier texture. Your baby can practice with a pre-loaded spoon or by dipping fingers into the porridge.
9–12 months
Make cream of wheat a little thicker so your baby can scoop it, or chill it into a firm slab and cut into soft fingers. Mix in soft fruit pieces for texture practice.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat cream of wheat as a warm breakfast topped with fruit, yogurt or nut butter. Sweeten it with fruit instead of sugar or syrup.
Why it’s good
Plain cream of wheat is heavily fortified with iron and also provides B vitamins and calcium in many versions. It is easy to digest and mixes well with fruit and protein foods. Pair it with vitamin C rich fruit to help your baby absorb the iron.
Safety notes
- Choose plain or original cream of wheat. Flavored instant packets often have added sugar and salt.
- Cool cream of wheat thoroughly. It holds heat and can burn a baby's mouth.
- Do not sweeten it with honey before 12 months.
- Cook without salt for babies, even if the package suggests adding it.
Introduce cream of wheat on its own, then keep it in
Cream of wheat is made from wheat, one of the Top 9 allergens, so start with a small amount and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or wheezing. Wheat allergy is different from celiac disease, and babies with a family history of either can talk with their pediatrician before starting.
Cream of wheat for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about cream of wheat for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have cream of wheat?
Babies can have cream of wheat from about 6 months, cooked smooth and cooled. Plain cream of wheat without added salt or sugar is the best choice.
Can babies have cream of wheat?
Yes, babies can eat plain cream of wheat, and it is a good source of iron. Cream of wheat also helps introduce wheat, a common allergen, early.
Is cream of wheat a choking hazard for babies?
Cream of wheat is a low choking risk for babies because it is smooth and soft. Stir out lumps and let it cool before serving.
Is cream of wheat a common allergen?
Yes, cream of wheat is a common allergen because it is made from wheat, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce cream of wheat in a small amount and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve cream of wheat to a 6 month old?
To serve cream of wheat to a 6 month old, cook plain cream of wheat with water, breast milk or formula until smooth and cool it to lukewarm. Offer cream of wheat on a preloaded spoon, plain or mixed with fruit puree.
Is cream of wheat high in iron?
Yes, plain cream of wheat is fortified with a lot of iron, making it one of the iron-rich grains for babies. Check the label, as iron content varies between original and instant flavored versions.
Is instant cream of wheat okay for babies?
Plain instant cream of wheat is okay for babies, but flavored instant packets usually contain added sugar and salt. Choose plain versions and add your own fruit.
What is the difference between cream of wheat and farina?
Cream of wheat is a brand of farina, which is finely ground wheat cooked into a smooth porridge. Any plain, enriched farina works the same way for babies.
Is cream of wheat good for babies?
Yes, plain cream of wheat is a good early food for babies from about 6 months, because it is fortified with iron and easy to eat when cooked smooth and cooled. It also introduces wheat, a common allergen; choose plain versions with no added sugar or salt and pair it with vitamin C fruit.
Is cream of wheat good for toddlers?
Yes, cream of wheat is a good breakfast for toddlers 12 months and older, giving iron and B vitamins in a warm, easy-to-eat porridge. Top it with fruit, yogurt or nut butter, and sweeten it with fruit instead of sugar, syrup or flavored instant packets.
The takeaway
- Babies can have cream of wheat from about 6 months, cooked smooth and cooled.
- Cook plain cream of wheat with water, breast milk or formula until smooth, cool it, and offer it on a spoon or a pre-loaded spoon.
- Choking risk is low. Wheat is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Iron Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.