Cerelac Wheat-Rice Mixed Fruit stage 3

Description

Nestlé CERELAC Wheat-Rice Mixed Fruit Stage 3 is a popular complementary food for babies, specifically designed for infants who are exploring new tastes and textures beyond initial weaning foods. This stage of Cerelac is tailored to meet the evolving nutritional needs of growing babies.

Product Overview: CERELAC Wheat-Rice Mixed Fruit Stage 3 is a milk cereal-based complementary food. It is formulated to introduce a blend of familiar cereals (wheat and rice) with the natural sweetness and flavors of various fruits, helping to expand a baby’s palate. It’s not a breast milk substitute but rather a supplement to breast milk or infant formula, providing essential nutrients that a baby’s growing body requires.

Target Age Group: While Cerelac stages can vary slightly by region, Stage 3 is generally designed for babies aged 10 to 24 months. This period is crucial for introducing more complex flavors and textures to support chewing skills and diverse dietary habits. Some sources specify 10-12 months as ideal, while others extend it up to 24 months, indicating its suitability for toddlers as well.

Key Nutritional Components and Benefits:

• Iron Fortified: A significant highlight of Cerelac Stage 3 is its high iron content. Infants have higher iron requirements than adults, and two serves of CERELAC Wheat-Rice Mixed Fruit can provide a substantial percentage (e.g., 75% or 99% depending on specific formulation and serving size) of a baby’s daily iron needs. Iron is critical for cognitive development, blood formation, and overall growth.
• Source of Essential Nutrients: It provides a rich blend of important vitamins and minerals (often 14 to 19 crucial nutrients). These include:
  • Vitamins A, C, D: Important for vision, immunity, and bone development respectively.
  • Zinc: Supports immune function and growth.
  • Protein: Essential for growth and development of muscles and tissues.
  • Calcium: Crucial for strong bones and teeth.
• Goodness of Cereals and Fruits: Combines the energy and fiber from wheat and rice with the natural vitamins and taste of real fruit concentrates/purees such as apple, orange, strawberry, and cherry. This helps in familiarizing the baby with a variety of flavors.
• Milk Solids: Contains milk solids, providing additional protein and calcium, making it a “milk cereal.”
• Easy to Digest: Despite introducing new textures and flavors, the formula is generally designed to be easy on a baby’s developing digestive system.
• No Added Artificial Colors, Flavors, or Preservatives: Nestlé emphasizes natural ingredients, making it a safer choice for sensitive young palates.

Typical Ingredients: Common ingredients found in Cerelac Wheat-Rice Mixed Fruit Stage 3 typically include:

• Wheat flour (Atta)
• Milk solids
• Sugar (though some newer formulations are “no refined sugar”)
• Rice flour
• Fruit juice concentrates/purees (Apple, Orange, Strawberry, Cherry)
• Soybean oil
• Corn flour/Corn puffs
• Minerals (e.g., Calcium carbonate, Sodium chloride, Electrolytic iron, Zinc sulphate, Cupric sulphate)
• Vitamins (e.g., Sodium ascorbate, Nicotinamide, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, Calcium pantothenate, Thiamine mononitrate, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Retinyl acetate, Riboflavin, Folic acid, Ergocalciferol, d-Biotin)
• Enzyme (Alpha amylase)
• Maltodextrin, Malt extract (for some formulations)

Preparation Instructions (Always refer to the specific product packaging for precise guidelines): Hygienic and accurate preparation is crucial for a baby’s health.

1. Wash Hands: Thoroughly wash your hands and sterilize all utensils (bowl, spoon, measuring cup).
2. Boil Water: Boil clean drinking water for 5 minutes and let it cool down to lukewarm temperature (around 40 degrees Celsius).
3. Measure Water: Pour the recommended amount of lukewarm water into the baby’s bowl (e.g., 100ml for a standard serving).
4. Add Cerelac: Add the specified number of level scoops of CERELAC powder (e.g., 4 level scoops) using only the
   1. scoop provided in the pack. Avoid adding more or fewer scoops than directed.
   2. Mix Well: Stir continuously until the cereal is smooth and free of lumps.
   3. Check Temperature: Test the temperature of the prepared food on your wrist before feeding to ensure it’s not too hot.
   4. Feed Immediately: Feed the baby immediately using a clean spoon.
   5. Discard Leftovers: Discard any remaining food. Do not store and reuse prepared formula.

   Important Considerations:

   • Complementary Food: It’s important to remember that Cerelac is a complementary food. Breastfeeding should continue for as long as possible, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
   • Health Worker Advice: Infant food should only be introduced on the advice of a pediatrician or health worker, who can guide you on the appropriate age and method of introduction based on your baby’s individual needs.
   • Storage: After opening the pack, transfer the contents to a clean, dry, airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place and use the contents within 3 weeks or the expiry date, whichever is earlier.

   Availability in Nepal (Belbari, Koshi Province): Nestlé Cerelac is widely available in Nepal, including local grocery stores, pharmacies, and online platforms like NepMeds and Daraz. The 300g packs are common, with prices generally ranging from NPR 480 to NPR 550, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions. While specific 400g packs might be less common, 300g is a standard size.