Homemade Cerelac: The New Superfood for Babies

If you’re a parent who wants to provide wholesome nutrition for your baby without the preservatives, sugar, or additives found in many commercial brands, homemade Cerelac is your new best friend. Easy to prepare, cost-effective, and loaded with nutrients, this superfood is perfect for supporting your baby’s growth, digestion, and immunity.

🥣 What is Homemade Cerelac?

Homemade Cerelac is a powdered or cooked blend of cereals, pulses, and nuts, carefully selected and roasted to suit an infant’s digestive system. It serves as a weaning food and is often one of the first solid meals introduced after 6 months of age.

🌾 What to Include in Homemade Cerelac

You can create different combinations based on your baby’s age and tolerance. A basic recipe includes:

• Rawa or Poha (a form of rice, easily digestible) – 100 grams
• Dalia (a form of wheat, easily digestible) – 100 grams
• Ragi flour(iron and calcium) – 100 grams
• Oats (fibre) – 100 grams
• Almonds or walnuts (for healthy fats, skip for under 8 months or allergy-prone babies) – 50 grams
• Seeds like flaxseeds, sesame, or pumpkin seeds (rich in healthy fats, calcium, and fibre — best introduced after 9 months in powdered form, in small quantities) – 30 grams
• Makhana (fox nuts) – Rich in calcium and antioxidants – 100 grams
• Cardamom powder or ajwain (optional, for digestion) – 2-3 pinches
• Roasted Bengal gram or Besan (for protein) – 150 grams

👩‍🍳 How to Prepare

Step-by-step:

1. Dry roast the cereals on a low flame until golden and aromatic
2. Roast nuts and seeds in some ghee
3. Cool everything completely
4. Grind into a fine powder (you can sieve it for a smoother texture)
5. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place

🍼 How to Feed

• Take 1 tablespoon of the powder
• Add 100–120 ml water or breastmilk/formula
• Cook on a low flame for 3–5 minutes until smooth
• Cool slightly before feeding

You can optionally add mashed fruit (like banana, apple puree) once your baby tolerates individual ingredients well.

📅 Age Recommendation

• Start after 6 months of age
• Best suited for 6 months to 2 years
• Modify texture and ingredients as your baby grows

⚖️ Ideal Quantity

• Start with 1 tablespoon once a day
• Gradually increase to 3–4 tablespoons divided into 1-2 times during the day, depending on appetite. Do not give more than two times, as a variety of food is needed for the growth and development of babies.

⚠️ Precautions

• Introduce few ingredients at a time to test for allergies
• Skip nuts if there’s a family history of allergies
• Always cool the food to room temperature before feeding
• Store powder for up to 1 month in an airtight jar

🌟 Final Thoughts

Homemade Cerelac is a gentle, nutritious, and affordable way to kickstart your baby’s journey with solids. It’s packed with natural ingredients you trust, and can be customized to suit your baby’s needs as they grow. Plus, it’s mom-approved and baby-loved!

Akanksha Sharma

Dr. Akanksha Sharma, Head Writer and creator of AtoZ of Pregnancy, is dedicated to empowering women, parents, and families through 360-degree knowledge. She and her team provide evidence-based advice to guide families through pregnancy, parenting and beyond.