8 Simple Steps To Prepare Ragi Porridge For Your Baby

This easy-to-make porridge may boost your baby’s immunity and overall growth.

Reviewed by Shivani Sikri, PGDPHN Shivani Sikri Shivani SikriPGDPHN MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on LinkedinFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Holistic, Therapeutic and Functional Nutrition Experience: 13 years
Written by , BE Jessica Albert BE Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Growth and DevelopmentExperience: 2 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc (Biotechnology) Vidya Tadapatri MSc (Biotechnology) Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health and WellnessExperience: 5 years
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Steps To Prepare Ragi Porridge For Babies

Ragi is a high-fiber food beneficial for babies. If you wish to introduce ragi to their diet, this post includes simple recipes to help you prepare ragi porridge for babies.

Ragi contains high amounts of protein, vitamins, and fibers that help improve digestion, strengthen bones, boost immunity, and prevent anemia. Read on to know more about the health benefits of ragi and learn some simple recipes to include ragi in your baby’s diet.

In This Article

What Is Ragi Porridge?

Ragi porridge can be introduced to a six-month-old baby

Image: Shutterstock

Ragi or finger millet is extremely nutritious, and it helps your baby’s overall growth and development. Finger millet contains high amounts of proteins, calcium, and iron. It is gluten-free, low in fat, absorbable and easily digestible. This Indian food idea for babies serves as one of the best weaning food preparations for babies aged six months and above. However, consult your pediatrician before introducing ragi porridge into your little angel’s diet (1).

Benefits Of Ragi Porridge For Babies

Ragi porridge has many health benefits for babies, which include:

1. High Nutritional Content:

Ragi porridge nourishes the baby well

Image: Shutterstock

Ragi powder is rich in nutritional content. It prevents malnutrition in babies who have stopped breastfeeding and provides them with an adequate amount of energy.

2. Easily Digestible:

Ragi is non-acidic and non-glutinous.

So ragi porridge is easy to digest. Also, it is a good laxative.

protip_icon Point to consider
Since ragi is gluten-free and has a low glycemic index, it is a good choice of grain for children with celiac disease or diabetes (3).

3. Curbs Appetite:

Ragi powder contains tryptophan, an amino acid that curbs appetite. So, ragi porridge is extremely healthy for babies.

4. Makes Babies Feel Fuller:

Ragi porridge keeps babies full for a longer time

Image: Shutterstock

Ragi powder contains complex carbohydrates. After the baby eats it, the blood releases glucose into the bloodstream slowly. Thus, ragi powder keeps the baby full for a longer time than other foods.

5. Prevents Iron And Calcium Deficiencies:

Ragi is a calcium and iron-rich food, so consuming ragi porridge prevents calcium and iron deficiency.

A study conducted at the University of Washington has revealed that 39.7% of children under five suffer from anemia, primarily due to a deficiency in dietary iron. Incorporating ragi into a child’s diet can significantly enhance blood production, potentially reducing the risk of anemia.

6. Enhances Immunity:

Eating ragi porridge enhances the functioning of your baby’s immune system (2).

How To Prepare Ragi Porridge For Babies?

Now that you know about the benefits of ragi or finger millets for babies, let’s learn how to make ragi porridge for babies. Initially, introduce ragi porridge to your little baby. Start with feeding her plain bland porridge of finger millet for one week. Once she habituates to the porridge, prepare and serve semi-solid porridge. If your little one faces any problems digesting it, stop feeding her porridge for a few days before resuming.

You Will Need:

  • One cup of water
  • Two teaspoons of ragi porridge powder
  • One teaspoon of ghee
  • A half cup of milk
  • A bit of grated jaggery

Preparing Porridge Powder:

Making ragi powder for babies

Image: Shutterstock

  • Wash the ragi appropriately.
  • Remove the liquid and spread it on a clean cloth under sunlight to dry.
  • Once it dries, roast the powder over a medium flame until you smell an aroma of roasted finger millet.
  • Turn off the heat and place it on a dish. Allow it too cool.
  • Grind it finely in a grinding machine.
  • Keep the ground ragi powder in a dry, air-tight can.

Making Ragi Porridge:

  1. Place one teaspoon of ghee in a cooking pan and heat it.
  1. Once it’s hot, add two teaspoons of ragi porridge powder and sauté for about one minute.
  1. Add about one cup of water.
  1. Then add half cup milk.
  1. Stir the mixture continuously so that the flour mixes well with the milk.
  1. Make sure no lumps of powder remain in the mixture.
  1. Then add a bit of grated jaggery for taste and stir the mixture properly till it dissolves in the mixture.
  1. Turn off the heat when the mixture reaches an appropriate consistency.
protip_icon Quick tip
Once you have ruled out nut allergies in your baby, you can add roasted nuts powder to this porridge. It will make your baby’s meal calorie-dense and give it a nutty flavor.

A Word Of Caution

You may mix cooked mashed potatoes or rice in ragi porridge to make it more nutritious. This combination is especially beneficial for underweight babies.

Make sure you sterilize all the spoons and utensils before feeding your baby ragi porridge. Also, wash your hands thoroughly with soap before you feed the baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does ragi cause constipation in babies?

Ragi usually does not cause constipation since it is rich in fiber, which helps ease bowel movements (2). Nevertheless, each baby may respond differently to the food, so it may not be uncommon to have a baby develop constipation due to ragi.

2. Can ragi be given to babies at night?

You may consider introducing ragi during the day so that you may be able to note allergies easily. Once the baby can tolerate it well, you may also feed ragi at night.

3. Can we mix ragi with milk for babies?

Yes, ragi and cow milk porridge may be one of the preferred choices of foods for babies older than 12 months. Babies younger than 12 months can be served ragi with formula or breast milk.

Ragi has booked a spot for itself as a superfood in the last few years. It is nutrient-rich and provides several health benefits to babies. It can be one of the first few foods and can be introduced after six months. Ragi porridge for babies can be easily made and fed. If your child is underweight, you can add mashed potatoes or bananas to the porridge recipe for babies to make it healthier. If you notice any signs of allergy or uneasiness in your babies after feeding them ragi, immediately consult your pediatrician or nutritionist.

Infographic: Key Health Benefits Of Ragi For Babies

Ragi or finger millet makes up for fantastic baby food. It is one of the best food items for babies to gain weight and develop muscles. Scroll through the infographic below to discover more such health benefits of ragi for babies. You can save and share it with other new parents too!

what makes ragi beneficial for babies (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Ragi is a nutrient-rich food that is high in fiber, protein, and vitamins, which can improve bone health, digestion, and boost immunity.
  • Ragi porridge is an easy-to-prepare food that can prevent calcium and iron deficiencies, making it a great choice for babies.
  • It can be served as basic porridge or mixed with mashed vegetables to make it even more nutrient-dense.

Illustration: Simple Steps To Prepare Ragi Porridge For Babies

Ragi Porridge For Baby_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


7 days, 7 ragi porridges! Learn how to make protein and calcium-rich baby foods to help your little one gain weight. Tune in to this video for some delicious recipes.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Finger Millet.
    https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/2305/chapter/5
  2. Palanisamy Bruntha Devi, et al.; Health benefits of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) polyphenols and dietary fiber: a review.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4033754/#:~:text=Finger%20millet%20contains%20about%205,344%20mg%2F100%20g
  3. Shonisani Eugenia RAMASHIA, et al.; Processing, nutritional composition and health benefits of finger millet in sub-saharan Africa.
    https://www.scielo.br/j/cta/a/s4s53P79kYwWD4hNbY39xFn/?lang=en
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Shivani Sikri
Shivani SikriPublic health and Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics
Shivani Sikri is the chief nutritionist and co-founder of Nutri4Verve and holds about 13 years of experience in the field of nutrition. After completing her Masters, Shivani Sikri did a postgraduate in nutrition and health education, a postgraduate diploma in public health and nutrition (PGDPHN), and a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and clinical dietetics.

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Jessica Albert
Jessica AlbertBE
Jessica Albert is a passionate writer who seeks to connect with her readers through wit and charm. Her work aims to invoke curiosity and keep the readers engaged through and through. She has two years of experience working with magazines and e-commerce establishments as a content marketer and editor.

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Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Vidya Tadapatri
Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)
Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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