Wheat for Babies

Buy Wheat Baby Food: Wheaty Ragi Porridge and Puree 

Wheat is one of the grains Indian families reach for early: as dalia, suji, rava, chapati or porridge. This collection is Rorosaur's wheat baby food. Wheaty Ragi combines ragi and wheat with dates, banana and skim milk powder in a porridge mix, and the Wheaty Ragi puree blends banana, ragi, wheat and ghee into a ready-to-eat spoonable meal. Both have no added sugar, no added salt and no preservatives.

We do not sell plain dalia or suji, so below the products you will find a simple guide to both: what they are, how they differ, how to cook them for a baby, and easy dalia and suji recipes. Wheat contains gluten and is a common food allergen, so introduce it on its own and check with your paediatrician first if allergies run in your family.

Wheat for babies: when and how to start

Wheat is a useful grain for babies: it gives energy, some fibre, and small amounts of B vitamins, iron and magnesium. In India it is usually introduced as a porridge made from broken wheat (dalia) or semolina (suji), or mixed into a khichdi.

A few points apply to every wheat food:

• Timing. Many families introduce wheat after rice or ragi have gone well, and your paediatrician may suggest a particular month for your baby. The Wheaty Ragi puree is made for babies from 6 months. If you are unsure, ask before starting.
• One new food at a time. Give wheat alone first, in a small amount, and wait two to three days before adding another new food.
• Gluten and allergy. Wheat contains gluten, and wheat is among the more common food allergens. Look out for rash, hives, vomiting, diarrhoea or unusual fussiness, and seek medical help straight away for swelling of the lips or face or any trouble breathing. If coeliac disease or wheat allergy runs in your family, speak to your doctor before you start.
• Texture. Cook until very soft and smooth for beginners, then move to a thicker, slightly lumpy mash as your baby gets used to it.
• No salt, sugar or honey in the first year. Honey must never be given to a baby under 12 months.

Our first-year feeding guide shows how wheat fits among other foods across the months, and Ragi vs Wheat vs Rice compares the three grains as a first porridge.

Dalia for babies: what it is and its benefits

Dalia (also called broken wheat, or daliya) is whole wheat grain that has been cracked into small pieces. Because it is made from the whole grain it keeps more of the wheat's fibre than refined semolina does. It cooks in a few minutes, has a mild nutty taste, and softens into a smooth porridge when cooked well, which is why it is a familiar first wheat food.

Dalia benefits for babies include:

• Energy from complex carbohydrates, which release more slowly than refined grains.
• Fibre, which helps digestion. Introduce slowly, because too much fibre too soon can cause gas.
• B vitamins, iron and magnesium in modest amounts.
• Versatility. It cooks into porridge, khichdi or a thicker mash with vegetables.

No single grain covers everything. Dalia works best alongside other grains, dal, vegetables and fruit.

Dalia powder for babies

Dalia powder is dalia that has been dry roasted and ground fine. It cooks faster and smoother than whole dalia, which suits beginners. To make it at home, rinse and dry the dalia thoroughly, roast it on a low flame for 3 to 4 minutes until it smells nutty, let it cool completely, grind it to a fine powder and sieve it. Store in an airtight jar. To cook, stir 1 tablespoon of powder into half a cup of water and cook on low for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring all the time so it does not form lumps. Cool before serving.

Dalia recipe for babies: simple porridge

1. Rinse 2 tablespoons of dalia well.
2. Cook it in a pressure cooker with 1 cup of water for 3 to 4 whistles until completely soft. On the stove, simmer for 20 to 25 minutes with a little extra water.
3. Mash or blend with a little warm water to the texture your baby is ready for.
4. Add a few drops of ghee if you like. Mash in half a ripe banana for natural sweetness. Do not add sugar or salt.
5. Cool and test the temperature before serving.

Dalia khichdi for babies

Dalia khichdi adds dal and vegetables to the grain, so it makes a more complete meal. Rinse 2 tablespoons of dalia and 1 tablespoon of split yellow moong dal. Add a tablespoon of finely chopped carrot or bottle gourd, a pinch of turmeric, half a teaspoon of ghee and about 2 cups of water. Pressure cook for 4 whistles until everything is mushy, then mash or blend. Leave out salt in the first year. A little tomato on the side helps your baby absorb the iron from the dal. For a ready-made khichdi, try the salt-free Rice-O-Lentils puree.

Suji (rava) for babies

Suji, also called rava or sooji, is semolina: the inner part of the wheat grain, milled to a coarse powder. Because the bran is removed it has less fibre than dalia, but it cooks in minutes and makes a smooth porridge, which is why many parents use it.

Suji benefits for babies are mainly energy from carbohydrates and a small amount of protein. It is less nutritious than whole wheat dalia, so treat it as one grain among several rather than a daily staple. Suji and rava are the same food under two names.

Suji recipe for baby: smooth porridge

1. Dry roast 1 tablespoon of fine suji in half a teaspoon of ghee on low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until it smells lightly toasted. Do not let it brown.
2. Boil three quarters of a cup of water. Lower the heat and add the suji in a thin stream, stirring constantly so there are no lumps.
3. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until thick and soft.
4. Mash in a little ripe banana or cooked apple for sweetness. No sugar or salt.
5. Cool before feeding. Suji thickens quickly as it cools, so loosen it with a spoonful of warm water if needed.

The same method works for rava recipes for babies, such as a vegetable rava porridge: cook a spoonful of grated carrot or pumpkin in the water first, then add the roasted rava.

Dalia or suji: which is better for a baby?

If you want one wheat grain for regular use, dalia is the more nutritious. Suji is handy for a fast bowl. Neither needs salt or sugar for a baby.

Wheaty Ragi: ready-made wheat porridge and puree

Home-made dalia and suji take planning. Wheaty Ragi is for the days when you want a wheat meal without cooking from scratch.

• Wheaty Ragi porridge mix (240 g): ragi flour and wheat flour make up the grain blend, with dates powder, banana powder, skim milk powder, cardamom and a trace of fruit and vegetable extract and ghee. To prepare, cook 2 scoops with the required amount of water for 2 minutes, then cool to a feeding temperature.
• Wheaty Ragi puree (100 g, from 6 months): banana, ragi flour, wheat flour, ghee, skim milk powder and cardamom, ready to serve. Refrigerate after opening and use within 24 hours.

Both contain wheat (gluten) and milk. Neither has added sugar, added salt or preservatives; the sweetness comes from dates and banana. Check the pack label for full details before you feed.

Exploring other grains? See our healthy baby porridge collection, grain-based purees and healthy baby purees.

Delivery

Free shipping on orders above ₹598. Orders are processed within 24 hours and usually arrive in 3 to 5 business days.