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Gerber® Cereal

A Publisher Mom's Review

By Sponsored content September 3, 2015

Gerber® cereal has been the first food for each of my boys who are now 5 years, 2 ½ years, and just days over 1 year. With each of them it seems like just yesterday that we were attending breastfeeding classes then reading up on how to introduce solids and finger foods. Like most parents, one of our biggest concern was (and remains) providing good nutrition. While breastmilk or infant formula is the best source of nutrition for the first 6 months of life (and remains important during the entire first year), most babies are developmentally ready and in need of calories and nutrients from solid foods around 6 months of age. Gerber® cereal is an ideal first solid food as it is designed to provide key vitamins and minerals for babies. Just two servings a day provides 90% of infants’ daily iron needs which is significant because around 6 months of age, the iron stores infants are born with begin to deplete. Gerber® cereals also contain calcium, vitamins C, E, Zinc and six B vitamins for healthy growth and development. This [often sleep-deprived] mom appreciates that the homework on this has been done. Gerber® Cereal helps ensure that babies receive the iron and essential nutrients needed for healthy growth.


Definitely a favored food, our youngest still grins and squeals with delight when he sees Gerber® Cereal pulled from the cupboard. He began eating Gerber® cereal mixed with breastmilk, then mixed with formula while traveling, and later mixed with fruit and veggie purees. He was our first to resist when we introduced foods with texture (those beyond purees). We found Gerber® Lil’ Bits® extremely helpful through that process. The 10 essential vitamins and minerals packed into each spoonful – a definite comfort for us as his transition to textured foods took a bit longer than expected.Both our youngest and our 2 ½ year old look forward to eating this Gerber® Lil’ Bits® cereal still.


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When receiving some Gerber® Cereals to sample as part of my review, I took the opportunity to try a new way to incorporate the nutrition from Gerber® Cereals into a snack for him. In case you can’t tell from the photo, we have a definite fan of Apples and Bananas Cookies (recipe below)! Please visit the Gerber® website for additional information on their products, nutrition and feeding.


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I received product and/or compensation in consideration for this review. All opinions expressed are my own ~ Lori Wondra, Macaroni Kid Publisher Mom

Apples and Bananas Cookies

½ cup Gerber® Oatmeal & Banana Cereal

½ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 container (3.5 ounces) Gerber®2nd Foods Apples

½ of a ripe banana, mashed

1 large egg


PREHEAT oven to 375° F.


COMBINE cereal, flour and baking soda in a small bowl. Beat butter, apples and banana in a medium mixing bowl until well combined. Add egg and beat well. Gradually beat in cereal mixture. Drop dough by the tablespoon onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.


BAKE for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.


TEST temperature before serving.


STORE in an airtight container for up to 3 days.


TIP: Boost flavor to these cookies by adding cinnamon, nutmeg or any spice your little one loves!


YIELD: 22-23 cookies;

SERVINGS: 2 cookies (TODDLER)


PREP TIME: 10 min

COOK TIME: 11 min

COOLING TIME: 15 min