Rice and other single-grain cereals are typically the first foods a baby eats when solids are introduced. The solids progress to fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest, including the sweet potato. After introducing the cereal and sweet potato separately to ensure there is no allergic reaction, you can combine the two for a flavorful baby meal.
Sweet Potato Preparation
The sweet potato needs to be cooked before it is served to a baby. The cooking process prepares it for consumption and makes it soft enough to puree or mash. Wash the sweet potato well to remove any residue before cooking. To bake or microwave it, pierce it with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees until the sweet potato is soft, or about 30 minutes. In the microwave, cook the sweet potato for about eight minutes. Another option is to steam sweet potato pieces. Puree the cooked vegetable in a food processor for a smooth texture without any chunks. For older babies, mash the sweet potato with a fork for a thicker texture.
Cereal Preparation
Prepare the cereal in the same way you normally do for your baby. This typically means mixing the cereal flakes with either breast milk or prepared formula. Mix the cereal to a consistency appropriate for your child. Babies who are just beginning to eat solids require a thinner consistency so they are able to swallow the food without choking. Older babies can have thicker cereal if desired. The sweet potato puree thickens your cereal slightly, so mix the cereal with more liquid if you want to keep the meal on the thin side.
Combining
The amount of each ingredient used depends on your baby's age and typical feeding amounts. The amount of cereal starts around 3 tablespoons per day when first introduced and builds up to 1/2 cup by around 12 months old. Vegetables typically start at around 1 teaspoon when first beginning solids and build up to 1/2 cup around 12 months. Stir together the desired amounts of cereal and sweet potatoes. Add more of the liquid you used to make the cereal if necessary to make the mixture thin enough for your baby.
Additions
The cereal and sweet potato alone is enough for a beginning eater, but additional ingredients are an option for older babies. Only add ingredients your baby has already tried. If you add several new ingredients and your baby has an allergic reaction, you'll have more difficulty figuring out what caused the reaction. Options for add-ins include cinnamon, yogurt or other pureed vegetables. Avoid salt or sugar, which are unnecessary for a baby. Adjust the consistency with additional cereal to make it thicker or more formula or breast milk to make it thinner.
