Oat Milk

Oat milk can be introduced as an ingredient in solid food (but not as a drink) as soon as baby is ready to start solids. Hold off on oat milk as a drink until after baby’s first birthday so as not to displace breast milk and formula intake in the first year of life. 

Oats have been cultivated for thousands of years, particularly in Northern Europe where they thrived in cool, wet climates. The practice of soaking and blending oats with water to create a creamy drink began only a few decades ago in Sweden. From there, oat milk spread globally, gaining popularity for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and creamy texture.

No. Oat milk presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve oat milk in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, 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.

No, oat milk is made with oats, and oats are not a common cause of IgE-mediated allergies, although reactions to oats have been reported, particularly when the grains are applied to the skin of sensitive individuals.^[1]

Oats and other oat products are a known trigger of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, also known as FPIES. FPIES is a delayed allergy to food protein which causes the sudden onset of repetitive vomiting and diarrhea to begin a few hours after ingestion of the food trigger. Left untreated, the reaction can result in significant dehydration.^[2][3] Fortunately, most cases resolve completely by early childhood. To learn more about FPIES, read our post on Food Allergens and Babies.

If baby has celiac disease, be sure to read product labels and make sure the oat milk is made with gluten-free oats. Despite oats being naturally gluten-free, many oats and oat products can be cross contaminated with gluten-containing grains (such as wheat, barley, and rye), rendering them no longer gluten-free.^[4][5][4][5] Celiac disease requires a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet and lifestyle.^[6] A gluten “allergy” is typically a misnomer, often in reference to celiac disease.^[7]

Yes, although it does not provide the same complete nutrition that breast milk and formula offer to growing babies, so only use oat milk as an ingredient in solid food under 12 months of age. Hold off on oat milk as a drink until after baby’s first birthday so as not to displace breast milk and formula intake in the first year of life.

Oat milk tends to provide small amounts of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Fortified varieties also tend to contain calcium, vitamin D, and B12, which are important for growth and bone development. 

There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. A few of our favorite first foods include cooked broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits.

You can if you’d like, but there's no developmental need to start with textureless food. Babies can be served modified versions of what you eat. Use our First Foods Database to find how to safely serve any food.