First foods database
🌾 Millet for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat millet? Yes, from about 6 months. Millet is a naturally gluten-free grain with a mild, slightly nutty flavour, popular in porridge across Africa and South Asia.
Good source of: Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, B vitamins
How to serve millet by age
6 to 9 months
Cook millet flakes or millet flour into a smooth porridge with breast milk, formula or water. Whole millet grains can be simmered until very soft and mashed with vegetables. Millet porridge can be spread on toast or served on a preloaded spoon.
9 to 12 months
Offer soft cooked whole millet mixed into stews or shaped into soft patties with vegetables and egg. Millet porridge can also be set in a tray and cut into fingers.
12 months and up
Serve millet as a side instead of rice or couscous, or in porridge and baking. Puffed millet cereals are a light breakfast for toddlers.
Choking safety
Cooked millet grains are small and soft and low in choking risk. Dry, crumbly millet can be hard to swallow, so keep it moist. Puffed millet can be dry; serve with milk.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Naturally gluten-free, but check for 'may contain' if gluten-free is important.
Easy ideas
- Millet porridge with mashed banana
- Millet and vegetable patties
- Millet pilaf with peas and carrot
Goes well with
Recipes with millet
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat millet?
Can babies eat millet? Yes, from about 6 months. Millet is a naturally gluten-free grain with a mild, slightly nutty flavour, popular in porridge across Africa and South Asia.
Is millet gluten-free?
Yes, millet is naturally gluten-free.
How do I make millet porridge for babies?
Simmer millet flakes or flour with milk or water until thick and smooth, stirring often.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).