3. It’s brimming with B Vitamins
In addition, oatmeal contains various B vitamins. The most notable is Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine.
Vitamin B1 helps baby’s body turn the carbohydrates in foods into energy. It also helps cells grow and function properly. Plus, it helps electrolytes move in and out of baby’s nerves and muscles (electrolytes are needed to keep the nerves and muscles working well).
Vitamin B1 is powerful because it helps many systems of the body perform properly:
- Brain and nervous system
- Muscles
- Heart
- Digestive system (stomach and intestines)
And Vitamin B1 isn’t stored in the body, so baby needs to eat foods containing it often once they start solids.
4. It aids in growth and development
We all know how many development milestones babies reach in the first year — and how quickly babies grow.
Like other healthy grains, oatmeal is high in manganese, a mineral that promotes healthy growth, development, and metabolism. The proteins and zinc in oatmeal also helps keep baby’s growth on track.