Are you considering giving rice to your little one? The time when your baby can eat rice is the time when you get the opportunity to introduce something healthy and nutritious that will add value to his meals. Rice is a staple food that is well-recognized in South East Asia, especially in countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and Korea.

Here’s an interesting fact about rice. Do you know that rice was cultivated some 8000 or 12000 years ago? This is the findings that appeared in a study conducted by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In this study, it was also mentioned that rice is actually one of the oldest cultivated and widely consumed crop in the entire world.

The high population in Asia, especially in India and China, is linked to this theory. Rice is a crop that consumes a greater quantity of water. The abundant supply of water in lakes, rivers, monsoon rainfall, and canals contribute to the production. You might wonder whether or not rice is good for your baby. Without a doubt, it is! In this article, I will be giving you some of the top benefits of rice to your baby.

Can I give rice to my baby?

Yes, you can give rice to your baby. In a report released and published in the National Nutrient Database by the Department of Agriculture in the USA, rice is filled with nutrients such as water, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, vitamin B6, fiber, iron, phosphorus, sodium, folate, thiamin, and niacin. Rice is a low-allergen food and that makes it perfect for babies five to six months old.

Benefits of Giving Rice to Your Baby

There are lots of benefits that come with giving your baby rice. First, rice is a great source of vitamin B complex. Brown rice or whole rice is rich with vitamin B complex. These vitamins play a crucial function in your baby’s overall development including brain and physical development.

The proteins present in rice are beneficial for your baby’s muscle development while the amino acids aid in rejuvenating the muscles following some contracting and stretching. The amino acids are likewise useful in building tendons and ligaments.

Are you looking for foods that can boost your baby’s energy? Rice has it! Rice has a greater amount of calories compared to cereals. Since your baby and toddlers play most of the time, they need enough energy to prevent tiredness. Rice has a high amount of energy needed for strenuous physical work. If you are worried that rice can trigger constipation, don’t be. Rice is easily digestible.

Hence, this is highly advantageous for babies because as little as they are, they still do not have the capacity to fully digest heavy foods. The weak digestive system of babies makes them incapable of digesting complex foods. With rice, digestion is smooth and easy.

Have you tried rice with milk? If you haven’t yet, then, you should try and experience feeling rejuvenated. The same happens when you mix milk with rice. It rejuvenates your little one and gives him strength and energy to stay active throughout the day. The amino acids present in rice are enhanced when added with milk. In various oriental cultures, rice mixed with milk is the first solid food given to babies.

Is your baby experiencing dysentery or diarrhea? Try mixing boiled rice with butter milk. This mixture is excellent in controlling dysentery or diarrhea in just a few hours after ingesting it.

Important Measures to Follow

When giving rice to your baby, there are certain measures that you need to follow. First is the selection of rice. Choosing good rice is important to ensure your baby’s health. There are basically three varieties of rice - the long ones, the short-grained ones, and the medium ones. The medium and long ones are more expensive while the short-grained varieties are cheaper.

In preparing the rice, flour is essential. Before you put rice to a boil, rinse it well and soak it for an hour for easy cooking purposes. Using a pressure cooker, cooking rice is even easier. There are other alternative methods to rice preparation such as dry roasting rice for at least five minutes and then grinding or pulverizing it to turn it into a power. The powder product can be kept for a month or two. The rice powder can act as a base ingredient.

When feeding rice, add some sterile water to it to produce a puree. Add milk as desired and with your pediatrician’s recommendation. Adding soy milk is not ideal because it can produce allergies. Speaking of allergies, also check your baby for any presence of rashes or swelling of lips, mouth, or tongue, or any sense of dizziness.

Do you wish to introduce brown rice to your baby? Health specialists suggest that brown rice is better compared to white rice. However, there is one thing that needs some consideration. Although brown rice is a great option and has lots of vitamins and minerals, it likewise has fibrous layers that make it hard for babies to digest. Hence, it is advisable to wait until your little one reaches three to four years old before giving him brown rice.

Final Words

The time when your baby can eat rice is the time when you also need to be extra cautious of the foods you are feeding him. White rice is extremely beneficial but it should be selected and prepared well. Did you find this article helpful? Share your thoughts with us.