Allergen note
Cracked wheat is whole wheat kernels broken into pieces, so it contains wheat, a common allergen, and gluten. Offer a small amount first, watch for hives, vomiting or swelling, and once it is tolerated, keep wheat in your baby's diet regularly.
How to serve
At 6–8 months, serve it as a smooth, soft porridge mixed with breast milk, formula or mashed fruit. From 9–12 months, offer a thicker, slightly textured porridge or stir it into soft stews. Toddlers can have about ¼ cup as a pilaf-style side.
Preparation
Rinse it, then simmer in about three times its volume of water for 20–30 minutes, adding more liquid as needed, until the grains are completely soft. Blend or mash it for younger babies, skip salt and sugar, and let it cool before serving.
Texture and choking risk
Firm, undercooked pieces of cracked wheat are hard for babies to chew and can scatter in the mouth. Cook it until very soft, serve it moist as porridge or mixed into a sauce, keep your baby seated upright and always supervise.
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries cracked wheat, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
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