My baby is 6 months old and his pediatrician has given us the go ahead to start hipp rice cereal. i am however concerned about the arsenic content in rice cereals. could i use hipp oats porridge instead?

Yes..but...: The suggestion that arsenic is present in a significant amount in any baby food is myth. Rice cereal is suggested because it has one of the lowest rates of allergic induction or reactions. You have no need to introduce any food to baby until they show interest in table foods at which point you can modify the form and begin transitioning them directly to the table foods of your choice.

OK, but why grains?: You can but I do not advise giving ANY grains to a 6 month old. Grains are difficult to digest, break down into sugar and have relatively low nutrient value. MUCH better choices for babies first foods are avocado (best 1st food) bananas, yams, squash and other pureed vegies and fruits (just one new food each week). See http://www.parents.com/baby/feeding/nutrition/superfoods-6-months-and-older/