From the YummyYucky team, founded by Nancy Nash
Can Babies Eat Job's Tears? Yes, Cooked Soft
Also known as coix.
Job's tears is a chewy gluten-free grain, called coix. Cooked very soft and mashed, it works from around 6 months as a smooth porridge.
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- When to introduce
- Around 6 months
- Common allergen?
- Not a top-9 allergen, naturally gluten-free
- Texture
- Cooked very soft, smooth porridge or soft grain
- Key nutrients
- Fiber, plant protein, minerals
Can babies eat Job's tears? Yes. From around 6 months, once you have cooked it down until it is very soft, Job's tears is a lovely grain to add to the rotation. Also called coix or Chinese pearl barley, it has been a staple across East Asia for generations. It is naturally gluten-free, so it slots in nicely alongside oats and rice. The one thing to know: Job's tears stay chewy by nature, so young babies need it cooked well past the point you would eat it yourself, then mashed or blended into a smooth porridge.
Prep School: how to prepare job's tears for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées
🍴 Baby-led weaning
🥄 Purées
Are job's tears safe? Choking & prep
Job's tears is not a common allergen and has no special hazard beyond texture. Because the grains stay firm and chewy, cook them well past tender and mash or blend for young babies so there are no firm pieces. Keep added salt very low, since babies need very little.
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Nutrition
Job's tears brings fiber, a modest amount of plant protein, and minerals to a grain rotation, and being naturally gluten-free it is a handy swap when you want to vary the grains beyond rice and oats. Like most whole grains it is not a complete meal on its own, so it shines paired with iron- and fat-rich foods that round out a baby's plate. Serving a mix of grains over the week helps expose your baby to different textures and flavors early.
Goes well with
Mashed banana or soft pear stirred into the porridge · A spoonful of full-fat yogurt for richness · Iron-rich lentils or shredded soft-cooked chicken · Sweet potato or pumpkin puree · A drizzle of nut or seed butter thinned in
Storage & freezing
Keep cooked Job's tears in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze portions for up to 3 months; reheat until steaming and cool before serving.
More grains to explore
Related reading
- Grains for babies: first cereals & whole grains →
- How to cut food to prevent choking →
- Signs your baby is ready for solids →
- Baby-led weaning vs. purées →
Common questions
When can babies have Job's tears?
From around 6 months, cooked very soft as a smooth porridge, then thicker as your baby handles more texture.
Does Job's tears contain gluten?
No, Job's tears is naturally gluten-free, which makes it a good grain to rotate in alongside oats and rice.
Is Job's tears a choking risk?
Firm, chewy grains can be tricky, so cook it well past tender and mash or blend it for young babies until it is smooth.
Is Job's tears the same as pearl barley?
They are often confused. Job's tears is sometimes called Chinese pearl barley or coix, but it is a different plant from true barley, and unlike barley it is naturally gluten-free.
How do I cook Job's tears for a baby?
Simmer it much longer than the package suggests, until the grains are very soft and squish easily, then mash or blend into a porridge for younger babies.
Do I need to soak Job's tears first?
Soaking for a few hours or overnight helps it cook down softer and faster, which is handy when you want a smooth porridge for a young baby.
Can Job's tears be baby's first grain?
It can, though many families start with iron-fortified oats or rice; Job's tears is a nice addition once you are rotating grains.
What can I mix Job's tears with?
Mashed fruit, full-fat yogurt, iron-rich lentils or soft chicken, and vegetables like sweet potato or pumpkin all pair well and round out the meal.
How much Job's tears should I give my baby?
There is no set amount at this age; offer a small serving alongside other foods and let your baby's appetite guide how much they eat.
Can I store leftover cooked Job's tears?
Yes, keep it sealed in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze portions for up to 3 months, reheating until steaming and cooling before serving.
Further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
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Start tracking for freeLast updated September 2026. Next review December 2026. How we write these: built from current published guidance from the AAP, CDC, FDA/EPA, NIAID, WHO, and other pediatric and public-health authorities, with sources cited on the page. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these, and how we double-check the food advice.
This is general information, not medical advice, and is not individualized for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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