Cheerios & "O" Cereals

Original Cheerios and other O-shaped cereals may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, around 6 months of age, as long as the cereal does not contain honey due to the risk of infant botulism from honey in babies under 12 months of age.

Cheerios were invented in 1941 under the name “Cheerioats.” General Mills used what was then a novel technology to “puff” oats, resulting in a crunchy texture that quickly dissolves in the mouth. There are nearly 20 different Cheerios varieties available (some seasonal or only available in certain parts of the world), and countless other brands have imitated the cereal’s iconic shape. Since their invention, Cheerios have been marketed to children, and the brand’s efforts have paid off: the cereal is among the most popular processed foods for many babies and toddlers.

No. Cheerios present a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. Cheerios dissolve easily, and only need a small amount of liquid (like saliva) to become mushy in texture, so there is little chewing needed to break it down. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve Cheerios in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. It is important to note that some other brands of O-shaped cereals do not dissolve as easily as Cheerios and could pose more of a choking risk, but if baby is putting the food in their own mouth, the overall choking risk remains low. Never place food in baby’s mouth. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

It depends on the variety. Original Cheerios are made from oats, which are not a common trigger for IgE-mediated allergies. However, reactions to oats have been reported, particularly when the grains are applied to the skin of sensitive individuals.^[1] Certain types of Cheerios contain common food allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. As always, be sure to read the label before purchasing, as product ingredients can change.

It is important to introduce common food allergens individually and rule out a food allergy before offering baby prepared foods that contain multiple potential food allergens. This way, when you are ready to share Cheerios, you will be confident that baby has already safely eaten any common food allergens in it. This approach can also help you quickly identify potential culprits in the unlikely event that baby experiences an allergic reaction after eating Cheerios.

Despite oats being naturally gluten-free, many oat and oat products can commonly be cross contaminated with gluten-containing grains (such as wheat, barley, and rye), rendering them no longer gluten-free.^{[2] [3]} Uncle Tobys Original Cheerios (sold in Australia and New Zealand) contain wheat and are therefore not gluten-free.

Yes, as long as they are free of honey, such as the Original variety. Original Cheerios offer carbohydrates and fiber, which provide energy for baby to explore while also supporting baby’s digestion. They are rich in many important nutrients like calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A and C, as well as various B vitamins. Together, these nutrients support baby’s bones, brain, red blood cells, electrolyte balance, immune function, vision, and more.

Honey Nut Cheerios may be offered after baby’s first birthday. Honey Nut Cheerios contain honey, which carries the risk of infant botulism in babies under 12 months of age.

It depends on where you live and an individual’s sensitivity to gluten. Oats, the main grain in Original Cheerios, are naturally gluten-free but are highly susceptible to cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains such as wheat and barley. While General Mills labels some of their Cheerios products as gluten-free, celiac advocacy groups have questioned the safety of the company’s gluten-free practices.^{[4] [5]} Uncle Tobys Original Cheerios (sold in Australia and New Zealand) are not gluten free, as they contain wheat. Ultimately, whether or not to include Cheerios as part of a gluten-free diet is a personal decision to be made with the counsel of your child’s pediatric healthcare specialist.