Cereals are an essential food for babies and include grains such as rice, barley, wheat, oats and rye.

They are rich in complex carbohydrates (starches and fibre), protein, vitamins and minerals, which are all necessary nutrients for energy and growth.

Infant Cereals Are Important Because They Are:

Specially developed to meet young babies' nutritional needs

Heinz^® Cereals for babies are carefully made from natural grains such as rice, oats, wheat and barley with added essential iron. They are highly refined with prebiotics to suit your baby's developing digestive system.

Baby Cereals Are Iron Fortified

Heinz^® Cereals are enriched with essential iron and other nutrients. Just one serving of iron enriched cereal, for example, provides your baby with 100% of his daily iron needs. Many babies over six months are iron deficient so it is important to give your baby an iron-enriched cereal.

Some Baby Cereals Are Gluten Free

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley and rye. Some babies have an allergy to gluten which is called celiac disease. Click here for more information about Gluten.

Are Adult Cereals Suitable?

Adult cereals are developed to suit 'adult' nutrition needs and tastes. Compared with baby cereals, adult cereals have:

Less iron - iron is essential for your baby's normal growth and development

More sodium - too much sodium can cause extra strain on your baby's developing kidneys

More fibre - because they are less processed. Fibre is important for adults. However, babies get sufficient fibre from fruit, vegetables, breads and baby cereals. Too much fibre can reduce iron absorption and cause constipation. Fibre is very filling and may prevent your baby from eating enough food to meet his energy and nutritional needs.