When can Babies Eat Cheese?
Cheese can be offered to your baby as soon as they’re ready to start solids, around 6 months. But not all of them are suitable. Look for one that is low in sodium, pasteurized, and made with whole milk. It is also important to serve them appropriately as cheese is a common choking hazard.
Health Benefits
Cheese, when consumed in moderation, is a wonderful source of many nutrients, including:
Protein and fat – provides energy and supports optimal growth and brain development Calcium, vitamin D – supports bone health, muscle function, and immune health Vitamin B12 – important for nervous system development and healthy blood cell
Best Cheese for Babies
Again, the three main criteria are when selecting the best cheese for your baby are: low in sodium (aim for less than 100 mg per serving), pasteurized (higher risk of foodborne illness), and made with whole milk (fat is crucial for optimal brain development). Cheese with the lowest amount of sodium are:
Ricotta Mascarpone Swiss cheese Creme fraiche Farmer’s cheese Goat Cheese Fresh mozzarella (avoid low-moisture mozzarella) Paneer Labneh
Now this doesn’t mean you should totally avoid cheeses that are higher in sodium, like cheddar cheese or parmesan, especially if it’s one that your family enjoys. For instance, I love to add cheddar cheese to so many of our family dinners. And while you can set aside a portion for your baby and add the cheese at the end for the rest of the family, I just add it knowing that the quantity added is for the whole dish and my baby will only eat a small amount at a time.
Best Cheese for Toddlers
The options listed above are still great at this age along with higher sodium cheese in moderation. These include cheddar cheese, gouda, feta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and parmesan. I recommend opting for full-fat cheese, but you can select other types after 2 years of age.
How to Serve Cheese to Babies
6-8 Months
Soft, spreadable cheeses
serve as is with a spoon (this baby spoon is a must-have!) spread onto toast combine with oatmeal, lentils, baby cereal mix with seeds or ground nuts stir in peanut butter Toss with pasta spread onto broccoli, carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes
For guidance on specific foods, check out my how to series for babies. Shredded Add to baked goods or baby and toddler friendly dinners.
9-11 Months
In addition to the above options,
Thinly sliced Shredded and offer as a finger food now that they are able to pick up smaller pieces of food with their pincer grasp Soft crumbles
How to serve Cheese to toddlers
Thin slices or bite-sized pieces but not cubed Thin strands of cheese sticks or string cheese (whole string cheese or round cuts are choking hazards)
Baby Food Recipes with Cheese
You can easily swap the cheese to suit your needs and preferences.
