Millets for Babies

Buy millet for baby in forms that are ready to use: a millet porridge mix you cook in 2 minutes, and millet purees you serve straight from the pouch. Millety Pumpkin Mix blends ragi and sorghum (jowar) with rice, moong and masoor, and Millety Pumpkin puree includes pearl millet (bajra). Both are made for babies from 6 months, with no added sugar and no preservatives. Below the products, find our guide to the types of millets, millet benefits for babies, and side effects to know about.

Millet Baby Food: What Is in Each Product

All porridge mixes and purees have a 12-month shelf life unopened. Check each product page for allergens before you serve.

Types of Millets for Babies

Millets are small, ancient grains that are naturally gluten-free. The ones parents ask about most are:

• Ragi (finger millet): the most popular first millet in India. Rich in calcium, and cooks into a smooth porridge. See our ragi vs wheat vs rice guide.
• Jowar (sorghum): mild and easy to cook, and a good base for porridge and khichdi.
• Foxtail millet (kangni or thinai): a small, pale grain with fibre and some protein, popular for porridge and upma.
• Pearl millet (bajra): a traditional, hearty grain with iron and fibre. It is usually introduced a little after ragi and jowar.
• Others: little millet (kutki), kodo millet and barnyard millet are used less often for babies.

Millet Benefits for Babies

• Fibre. Millets support digestion and regular stools.
• Minerals. Depending on the millet, they give iron, calcium and magnesium, which matter once a baby is past 6 months.
• Naturally gluten-free. Millets do not contain gluten, although products can pick up gluten in processing. Always check the label if your baby has coeliac disease.
• Steady energy. Millets are digested more slowly than refined rice or wheat.
• Variety. Rotating millets with rice, wheat and oats gives a wider range of nutrients and flavours.

For more, read Introducing Millets to Babies and Mighty Millets, or how millets can support baby weight gain.

Foxtail Millet Benefits for Babies

Foxtail millet is rich in fibre, has a good amount of protein for a grain, and releases energy slowly. It is naturally gluten-free and cooks soft, which is why it is a popular choice for porridge. Rorosaur does not currently make a foxtail millet product. If you cook it at home, wash and soak it, then cook it until very soft and thin it with water or breast milk for a young baby.

Pearl Millet (Bajra) for Babies

Pearl millet is a traditional Indian grain with iron and fibre. Many families introduce it after ragi and jowar, and cook it well to make it soft. Our Millety Pumpkin puree includes pearl millet (7%) with banana, dates, pumpkin and lentils, for a smooth, sweet and filling first meal. It also contains cashew nuts and barley, so check allergens first.

When and How to Introduce Millets

Most babies can start millets from around 6 months, once they have started solids and tried one or two simple foods. Start with one millet at a time, in a small amount, and wait 2 to 3 days before introducing another. Check with your paediatrician before starting solids, and especially if there is a family history of allergies.

1. Wash and soak the millet, then cook it until very soft.
2. Blend or grind it smooth, and keep the porridge thin at first, thickening it as your baby gets used to it.
3. Offer 1 to 2 teaspoons on the first days, then build up slowly.
4. Serve with fruit or vegetable puree, and do not add salt, sugar or honey.
5. Rotate millets with rice, wheat and oats, instead of using one grain every day.

For portion sizes by age, see our guides on how much food your baby needs and whether millet is safe for babies every day.

Millet for Babies: Side Effects and Precautions

Millets are safe for most babies, but there are a few points to know:

• Gas and bloating. Millets are high in fibre, so too much too fast can cause gas, bloating or loose stools. Start small and build up.
• Constipation. Fibre needs enough fluids. If your baby seems constipated, reduce the portion and offer fruit purees.
• Raw or undercooked millet. Raw grains contain phytic acid, which can reduce mineral absorption. Soaking, sprouting and thorough cooking help.
• Allergy. Allergy to millet is rare. Introduce it alone and watch for rash, vomiting or unusual fussiness.
• Thyroid. Millets contain natural compounds that can affect the thyroid when eaten in very large amounts over long periods. At normal baby portions this is not usually a concern, but ask your paediatrician if there is a family history of thyroid problems.
• Variety. Do not rely on one millet. Rotate grains.
• Other ingredients. Products can contain allergens such as milk, wheat, barley or tree nuts. Always read the label.

Easy Millet Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

• Millet porridge: cook soaked millet flour in water until smooth, then add mashed banana or apple puree.
• Millet khichdi: cook jowar or foxtail millet with moong dal and a little ghee, mashed smooth for babies and left chunkier for toddlers. See our khichdi guide.
• Jowar porridge: a simple, mild porridge. Try this jowar porridge recipe.
• Millet dosa or idli (toddlers): ferment a millet and urad batter and make small, soft rounds, with no added salt for under 1.

More ideas are on our recipes page.

Millet Combos and Trial Packs

To try more than one grain, the Millet & Ragi Porridge Combo (₹1,200) has one millet and one ragi porridge, and the Porridge Travel Pack (₹399) has 8 sachets, two each of Wheaty Ragi, Millety Pumpkin, Spinachy Grains and Rice-O-Lentils. Orders above ₹598 ship free, and orders are processed within 24 hours.

What to Feed Along With Millets

Pair millets with fruit and vegetables: fruit and veg purees and veggie purees. Browse the full porridge range and grain-based purees, and read the first-year feeding guide for the week-by-week plan. See our lab reports to see how each batch is tested.