Baby rice: what is it and which is the best baby rice to buy for your baby?

For the first six months of your baby's life it's likely they'll have been solely fed on milk, either breastmilk or formula. So when you first start to think about baby weaning, you probably have a lot of questions, including what food to start with. When it comes to first foods, many parents use baby rice as it offers a gentle introduction to solid foods and a smooth texture which many babies find agreeable.

But knowing whether baby rice is the best first food for your baby, and when to give baby rice, can be confusing. Most guidelines suggest starting weaning at 6 months but some parents and even some brands recommend starting to give baby rice when they are four months old. We've taken a look at the facts to find out all you need to know about baby rice so you can be confident in the decisions you make when you first start weaning, whether you plan to do purees or baby-led weaning.

What is baby rice?

Baby rice is just normal rice that has been ground to a fine consistency. It comes as a dry mixture, which is then mixed with water or formula or breastmilk. As it's a bland taste with a smooth texture, it's considered ideal as a first weaning food.

However, while baby rice can be a good option as a first food, it's a good idea to also introduce other flavours so your baby gets used to a wide range of tastes and textures.

Is baby rice good for babies?

You've probably heard of a lot of people using baby rice as the very first food to feed their baby when weaning and this is mainly because it's easy for your little munchkin to digest. But there are plenty of other positives too. For example:

• It is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans

• It is hypoallergenic, so your baby is unlikely to have any bad reactions to it

• It has a bland taste so won't be too dissimilar to the milk flavour they're already used to

• It has a smooth, runny consistency once combined with milk, which means your baby won't have trouble swallowing it

• You can combine baby rice with milk or water

When can babies have baby rice?

The NHS guidance is to start weaning your baby from six months old. However, all babies are different and some may be ready sooner so it is best to discuss with your doctor or health visitor if you think your baby is ready for weaning before the six-month mark. If you're specifically wondering when to give baby rice in NHS advice, they state that this should be no earlier than 6 months.

How to make baby rice?

When making baby rice, it's best to follow the instructions on the specific brand you've bought. Typically, baby rice is stirred with between 3-4 spoonfuls of your baby's usual milk. We've also known some parents to use water here, however, you should follow the instructions the brand provides.

If you are using milk, it's completely up to you whether you include it cold or warm, but if serving warm, remember to check the temperature before feeding your tot.

How often should my baby have baby rice?

Baby rice tends to be the starting point for parents before they move onto baby purees or finger foods, so you may find that after a couple of days of using baby rice, you'll feel comfortable moving on to other foods.

Baby rice can also be used to bulk out fruit and veg puree so it's always useful to have a box around in the kitchen cupboards. It's worth bearing in mind that your baby doesn't need baby rice and you may prefer to dive straight into purees or baby-led weaning. It's completely up to you and what's best for your baby and your lifestyle.

In fact, a lot of experts now suggest starting with more flavoursome foods such as vegetables. Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a registered Nutritionist and wing-woman to Wean In 15 author, Joe Wicks, says: "A whole host of new research has looked at the idea of weaning with vegetables first. Savoury, bitter, sweet veggies – you name it – should be offered in order to help encourage acceptance of vegetables and to expose babies to these flavours in early life to help children to develop a liking for these very early on."

Is baby rice safe?

A study revealed that certain brands of baby rice and cereals made with baby rice contained potentially harmful toxins such as arsenic and cadmium. These toxins are able to enter the product through contaminated water, which is used to irrigate rice crops in certain countries. Due to babies having a lower body weight than adults, they can take in a higher amount of arsenic.

However, the NHS states that "In the UK, there are maximum levels of inorganic arsenic allowed in rice and rice products, and even stricter levels are set for foods intended for young children." If you're concerned, speak to your doctor or simply use baby rice for a few days and then move onto other foods.

Can my baby have rice milk?

While baby rice can be used as a first food for weaning babies, the NHS advice on rice milk is that it's best to avoid rice milk until they're 5 years old. This is because, as a substitute for breast milk or formula, they're likely to consume too much and the arsenic levels could become an issue.

What is the best baby rice for your baby?

There are a lot of different brands of baby rice so we've whittled them down to our top six favourites.

Baby rice alternatives

If your baby isn't a fan of baby rice or you'd just like to try something different, here are some alternatives to try once your baby is six months:

• Quinoa

• Baby porridge

• Avocado

• Veggie puree

• Millet

• Barley

• Weetabix

Just be sure to prepare these alternatives so they are safe for your baby to enjoy.

About the author

Adejumoke Ilori is a Commercial and Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mummy of one and enjoys writing about baby world, mothership, true life stories (especially single parenthood), and celebrity gossip. And, with a degree in Creative Writing, she has also worked with media platforms like, OK! Magazine, New, She Rose Revolution and Fab Magazine.