Millet For Babies – Everything You Need To Know

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Millet is one of the several nutritious ancient grains that are safe for infants. It can make for a healthy, wholesome meal that is easily digestible, gluten-free, and versatile. The benefits of millet for babies are numerous as it is rich in iron, minerals, calcium, and more, aiding in the healthy and steady growth of the baby.

In addition, millet can be easily digested due to its smooth texture. The grain is also versatile and can be incorporated into your baby’s diet in different ways, such as through homemade porridges or stews.

Continue reading to know more about millet and its benefits, as well as some healthy and delicious millet recipes for babies.

Is Millet Good For Babies?

Millet is a good protein source and is rich in multiple vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and magnesium.

One cup of cooked millet contains the following nutritional values (1):

• Protein – 6.11g
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1) – 0.18mg
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – 0.14 mg
• Folate – 33mcg
• Niacin – 2.3mg
• Phosphorus – 174mg
• Potassium – 108mg
• Sodium – 3mg
• Calcium – 5mg
• Magnesium – 77mg
• Iron – 1.1mg

Millet also contains trace amounts of copper, zinc and manganese. It has high amounts of fiber, essential amino acids like lecithinⁱ A plant-derived fat that is required by the body's cells to carry out metabolic processes and methionine, and phytic acidⁱA plant-based substance and antioxidant which stores phosphorus that help reduce the risk of cancer and lower blood cholesterol.

Did you know?

Finger millet has a higher micronutrient deficiencyⁱA lack of crucial vitamins and minerals which the body requires in small amounts for optimal growth than rice and wheat. So, it makes a good weaningⁱThe process of transforming your baby’s diet from breastmilk to solids and other liquids food choice for babies (9).

When Can Your Baby Eat Millets?

Give millet to your little one at around six to eight months, along with continued breast milk or formula intake. When you introduce a new solid food, give only a spoonful, and then gradually increase its quantity. Homemade millet cereal for babies is the best option. But before introducing this food, you should consult your pediatrician (2).

Health Benefits Of Millet For Babies

Millet has a mild flavor with protein content similar to rice and wheat. It will, therefore, satisfy a hungry baby’s appetite. Following are the amazing health benefits of millet for babies (3):

1. Easily digestible

Millet are gluten-free and soothing cereals. Thus, they possess smooth digestion properties.

2. Maintains body processes

The essential mineral phosphorus helps form bones and utilize fats, carbohydrates, and protein for various functions to keep our body working properly.

3. Improves iron deficiency

Millet is an excellent source of iron, which helps treat iron-deficiency anemia in babies. According to a study that was conducted by the World Health Organization an estimated 39.8% of children between the age of 6 and 59 months suffered from anemia in 2019.

Quick tip

Soaking, germination, and fermentation of millets can improve iron bioavailability of millets which can help babies get sufficient iron (10).

4. Supports bone development

Millet contains a high proportion of calcium and regulates the bone development process of small and growing children.

5. Helps with constipation

Millet contains soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps improve baby constipation.

6. Calms mood

Millet is a complex carbohydrate that helps in producing serotoninⁱA molecule secreted in the brain that transports messages from nerve cells and helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite in the body. Serotonin can help calm your baby’s mood and help them sleep well (4).

Safety Considerations When Introducing Millet To Your Baby

It’s important to keep these safety considerations in mind when introducing millet to your baby’s diet (5).

• Monitor your baby for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, digestive issues, or breathing difficulties after consuming millet.
• Millet may pose a choking risk if not prepared properly. Make sure to cook millet thoroughly and serve it in a form that’s appropriate for your baby’s age.
• Always consult your pediatrician before introducing millet or any new food to your baby.

Selection And Storage Of Millets For Babies

You can store whole millets for several months in a dry and cold place. If you choose packaged millet, you will also have an expiration date that helps you know the storage period. Store them in airtight containers and put them in a refrigerator.

Regarding ground millets, you have to be extra careful. The natural oils from the cereal turn rancid if not kept in the fridge.

Also, make sure you check the grains if you don’t use them frequently. It is good to buy millet in small quantities so that it does not get rancid.

Cooking Millets For Babies

Now that you know why millet is right for your baby, let us look at some millet recipes.

1. Millet Porridge Cereal

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 3 tbsp millet
• 1 cup water

How To:

• Boil one cup of water in a saucepan.

• Grind three tablespoons of millet to make a smooth powder.

• Add the ground millet into boiling water. You may add salt, but it is optional.

• Stir the contents continuously.

• Cover the saucepan for 10 minutes.

• Millet porridge for the baby is ready now.

Point to consider

Feed millet to babies in moderation as they are high-fiber foods that can fill a baby’s tummy sooner than they have ingested the required calories and nutrients (11).

2. Millet, carrot, and apple stew

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• Diced carrots
• Diced apples
• ¾ cup of apple juice
• 1 cup of water
• Millet (powdered)

How To:

• In a saucepan, add diced carrots, water, diced apples and apple juice.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and cover the stew for 15-20 minutes. Add the powdered millet and cook for 5 more minutes.
• You can mix millet powder with rice cereal to make delicious homemade porridge recipes for babies.

3. Toasted millet baby cereal

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 cup whole grain millet
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil, preferably olive oil

How To:

• Take oil in a large pan and heat it.

• Add millet and sauté it. Continue stirring until the millet turns brown.

• Add two cups of boiling water and keep on simmer for 30 minutes.

• Stir it until it fluffs a bit.

• You can now add fruits, and veggies that are appropriate for your little one.

4. Millet veggie salad

Image: IStock

You Will Need:

• Soft cooked millet, peas, carrots and chicken or beef

How To:

• Toss all the above ingredients in a bowl.

• Mix properly and serve as a snack or a meal.

5. Apple pear millet porridge

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 2tbsp millet
• One-and-a-half cup water
• 1/2 small green apple, peeled and cored
• 1/2 small pear, peeled and cored

How To:

• Rinse millet under running water by placing it in a coffee strainer.

• Take it in a pot and cook for half-an-hour until the porridge attains thick consistency.

• Mash apple and pear pieces using a fork and add to the porridge.

• Let it stand for five minutes and then serve your little one.

6. Organic pumpkin millet porridge

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 2tbsp millet, hulled
• 1tbsp pumpkin
• 2 or more cups water

How To:

• Take water in a pan and allow it to boil.

• Add millet and pumpkin and keep it to boil.

• Simmer it over medium heat and add water if required.

• Cook for about 40 minutes until the porridge is ready.

• Cool for some time and then offer it to your baby.

7. Homemade finger millet porridge

You Will Need:

• 2 tbsp finger millet or ragi (soaked overnight)
• 2 or more cups water
• 1tsp salt
• 1tsp palm jaggery syrup
• 1tsp ghee

How To:

• Rinse the soaked finger millet and grind smoothly with a quarter cup of water.
• Filter the ragi puree through a fine sieve to acquire ragi milk.
• Dilute the obtained millet milk with three-fourth cup of water and add salt.
• Simmer the milk over medium flame while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
• Once the mixture turns thick and glossy, add the ghee and palm jaggery syrup.
• Take off the flame once it stops sticking to the pan.
• Cool for some time, and then feed it to your baby.

Sharing her experience of feeding millet porridge to her child, a mother from Norway, Chitra says, “I wanted to start the baby food recipe series with DD’s (son) first food. Yes, this was what he had first. Ragi kanji or ragi paal koozh… I started this after he turned 5 months old. He liked it and was very enthusiastic to have it then… Some say that ragi can cause cold and is not suitable to be had in the evening or night. I give DD kooravu only during daytime and that too before 11 am and I avoid it when he has a cold (i).”

By including millet in your baby’s diet, you will help improve her health and boost her immunity. Remember, different foods contain different nutrients, so don’t feed them with the same food all the time. Instead, mix different millets or combine millets with grains to create tasty and nutritious multi-grain dishes for your baby.

A Word Of Caution

Millet is highly nutritious and has many health benefits for your little one. However, if they have wheat wheat allergiesⁱAn allergic reaction to wheat-containing foods that may cause symptoms such as rashes, stomach pain, and diarrhea or other conditions, check with a pediatrician before you include millet in their diet. Millet needs to be processed in a wheat-free facility.

Infographic: Advantages Of Including Millets In A Baby’s Diet

Are you a superfood consumer wishing to include them in your baby’s diet? Then millets can become your go-to baby food for their rich nutritional benefits and a wide variety. However, it’s best to consult your child’s doctor and check for allergies before doing complete incorporation. This infographic lists a few advantages of including millets in a baby’s diet.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Abby BlackRDN, CDE, CLT

Abby Black graduated in Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness, and Health from Purdue University. She has 18 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and 14 years as a Certified Diabetes Care Education Specialist (CDCES).

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