Breastfeeding mums often hear about “galactagogues” like brewer’s yeast or oats — but one ancient grain is just as powerful, if not more: millet. This gluten-free seed has been used for centuries across cultures to nourish mothers, and modern nutrition science backs up its benefits.

Here’s why millet deserves a place in your breastfeeding diet:

1. Rich in Protein & Amino Acids

Protein is essential for recovery and milk production. Millet delivers 11g of protein per 100g and includes key amino acids that support tissue repair and energy.

Verdict: A plant-based powerhouse for daily protein needs.

2. High in Iron & Magnesium

Iron supports maternal energy levels and reduces fatigue, while magnesium helps with relaxation and stress resilience — both crucial in the postpartum period.

Verdict: Better energy and calmer nerves in one grain.

3. Naturally Gluten-Free & Gentle on Digestion

Unlike wheat or barley, millet is gluten-free, making it easier for mums with sensitivities or those feeding babies prone to colic.

Verdict: A safe, tummy-friendly choice for sensitive families.

4. Packed with B Vitamins

Millet is a great source of B vitamins like niacin and folate, which support energy metabolism and postpartum recovery.

Verdict: Nourishment that fuels both mum and baby.

5. A Versatile Galactagogue

Like brewer’s yeast, millet is a natural galactagogue — a food that may help support milk supply. It can be baked into lactation cookies, added to porridges, or used in savoury meals.

Verdict: More options for boosting supply without relying on yeast.

At Yummy Mummy Food Company, we prioritize your postpartum health. That's why we choose millet over brewer’s yeast. Unlike yeast, which can cause bloating, digestive issues, and yeast overgrowth, millet is gentle, gluten-free, and packed with essential nutrients like calcium and B vitamins to naturally support milk production.

We believe in providing products that truly nourish you and your baby without compromise.

Why Isn't Millet Used in All Lactation Support Products?

Truthfully, it took us a lot of 'out of the box' thinking and research to discover the benefits of millet ourselves here at the Yummy Mummy Food Company and it's benefits in the western world are not well known like they are in other cultures.
Here in Australia and other western countries, brewer's yeast is the most common lactation milk booster that's added to products far and wide because it is an inexpensive and easily obtained ingredient. 

We however feel very strongly that at the delicate time of new motherhood while breastfeeding, that mums and bubs already have enough 'yeasty problems' to contend with and brewer's yeast as well as other yeasts are a common cause of candida for mums and bubs alike. Learn more about this by reading  'Brewer's Yeast - Why Breastfeeding Mums Don't Need More Yeasty Problems' and read one mum's very real and candid experience of dealing with candida while breastfeeding in our 'What It's Really Like' article.

No one has time or energy for Candida/Yeast Overgrowth Issues while establishing breastfeeding (or at all, ever!) so we went on the search for yeast free and allergy friendly milk boosting galactagogues and discovered millet!

We've since included it in the following products making it easy to have several serves a day to help boost your milk supply and receive the other fantastic health benefits it provides: