Review: Nestle Cerelac Baby Rice Cereal 6M+

Nestlé Cerelac Baby Rice Cereal is one of the more commonly used first foods for babies. It’s essentially a rice-based cereal with added iron and probiotics, designed to be easy to prepare and gentle for early eaters. While it does offer some benefits, it’s not something that’s essential as part of starting solids.

What’s In It?

Rice flour (99%), processing aid (soy), mineral (iron), maltodextrin, vitamin C, culture (Bifidobacterium lactis).

Cost

Around $3.45 per 100g, which makes it quite expensive — especially when you consider it’s mostly rice flour.

Per serve, it can add up quickly for what is essentially a very simple product.

Allergens

Contains soy as a processing aid.

Taste

Rice cereal has a very bland taste. Whilst it can be quite well accepted by babies it doesn't offer much in terms of expanding their palette or introducing different flavours.

Texture / Age Recommendation

Designed for 6 months+, this cereal mixes into a very smooth, soft texture which makes it easy for babies who are just starting solids.

Nutrition Info

The main nutritional benefit here is added iron, which is why rice cereals are often marketed for babies.

It also contains a probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis) and added vitamin C.

The iron is non-haem iron, which isn’t absorbed as well as haem iron sources, but it can still contribute to overall intake.

Outside of that, it is mostly carbohydrate from rice flour, so it’s primarily an energy source rather than a nutritionally complete food.

What We Like

• Easy to prepare and smooth texture for early eaters
• Contains added iron
• Includes a probiotic
• Can be useful for boosting iron intake in certain meals

What We Don’t Like As Much

• Quite expensive for what is mostly rice flour
• Iron is non-haem (not as well absorbed)
• Not particularly nutrient-dense beyond added iron
• Not ideal as a standalone meal