Whether or not babies can have cheese is a common question for many new parents. The short answer is yes, most babies can have cheese once they reach about 6 months of age. However, there are some important things to consider before introducing cheese to a baby’s diet. In this article, we’ll provide a quick overview of when and how to introduce cheese to babies, the nutrition profile of cheese, and any potential concerns or risks. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about babies and cheese.
When Can Babies Have Cheese?
The timing of introducing cheese to a baby’s diet depends on a few factors:
- Age and developmental readiness
- Possible allergy risk
- Type of cheese
In general, most pediatricians recommend waiting until a baby is around 6 months old before introducing cheese. Here’s why:
Age and Developmental Readiness
A baby’s digestive system undergoes significant changes in the first 6 months. Your baby starts life exclusively digesting breast milk or formula. Around 4-6 months, babies become developmentally ready to begin eating solid foods. Signs of readiness include:
- Good head and neck control
- Ability to sit upright with support
- Loss of tongue-thrust reflex
- Interest in foods
Starting solids earlier than 4-6 months can increase allergy risk and put extra strain on an immature digestive system. Most pediatricians recommend waiting until about 6 months to introduce higher allergen foods like dairy products, eggs, fish, and peanut butter.
Allergy Risk
Dairy allergies affect about 2-3% of infants. Babies with a family history of dairy or other food allergies may be at higher risk. For high-risk infants, some pediatricians recommend waiting until 12 months to introduce cheese and other dairy products. Most dairy allergies resolve by age 3, but some persist.
Type of Cheese
The firmness and saltiness of a cheese also determine when it can be safely introduced. Soft, fresh cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and cottage cheese tend to be easier on younger babies’ digestive systems. Harder, aged cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan have more sodium and require more mature digestive systems to process. Stick with small amounts of soft, meltable cheeses at first.
Generally, most pediatricians give the green light for babies to have cheese and yogurt at around 6 months as some of baby’s first dairy foods along with iron-fortified infant cereal.
Nutrition Profile of Cheese
Now that we’ve covered when babies can start eating it, let’s look at why cheese can be a nutritious addition to a baby’s diet:
Protein
Cheese is an excellent source of protein. Just one ounce (about two 1-inch cubes) of cheddar cheese provides 7g of protein. The protein in cheese comes primarily from casein and whey. These high-quality proteins provide amino acids that support growth and development.
Calcium
Cheese is also one of the best natural sources of calcium. Calcium is essential for building strong bones and teeth. One ounce of Swiss cheese delivers more than 30% of the recommended daily calcium intake for babies.
Vitamin D
Cheese contains vitamin D, another key nutrient for bone health. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption.
Other Nutrients
Other valuable nutrients found in cheese include:
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin A
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc
In moderation, cheese can round out the diet of a growing baby. It provides high-quality protein, important vitamins and minerals, and valuable calories.
Concerns and Risks of Giving Cheese to Babies
While cheese offers nutrition benefits, there are some potential downsides to consider:
Allergies
Though dairy allergies are fairly uncommon in babies, they do occur. Allergy symptoms like skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory distress require immediate medical care. Babies with known milk allergies should avoid all dairy products.
Choking Hazards
Any hard, dense food poses a choking risk for babies. Always grate cheese finely or cut into pea-sized pieces. Supervise eating and make sure baby is able to handle thicker textures before progressing.
Sodium Content
Cheeses can be high in sodium. Too much sodium can put extra strain on babies’ developing kidneys. Avoid overdoing salty cheeses like feta, halloumi, parmesan, and roquefort.
Listeria Risk
Soft cheeses like brie, feta, and Mexican-style queso fresco carry a small risk of bacteria listeria. Listeria can cause serious illness in babies. Stick to pasteurized cheeses from reputable brands.
Allergens in Processed Cheeses
Packaged cheese slices, shredded cheese, and cheese dip often contain additional ingredients like milk proteins, soy, starch, and preservatives that can trigger reactions. Read labels and opt for pure, natural cheeses.
With some care and caution, the potential risks of cheese can be minimized. Work closely with your pediatrician when first introducing cheese. Stop servings immediately if any allergy symptoms appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about giving cheese to babies:
Can I give my 4 month old baby a little bit of cheese?
No, it’s generally best to wait until about 6 months to introduce cheese. Baby’s digestive system is still maturing at 4 months. Starting solids too early can increase allergy and choking risk. Stick with breastmilk or formula until signs of readiness for solids appear around 6 months.
What’s the best first cheese for baby?
Soft, mild cheeses are easiest on baby’s new digestive system. Mozzarella, ricotta, and cottage cheese make good first cheese options. Grate or cut into small pieces to reduce choking hazard. Start with just a few teaspoons mixed into cereals or purees.
Should cheese be avoided for constipated babies?
Cheese is binding and could worsen constipation issues. If baby is constipated, hold off on cheese and try prunes, pears, or apples to get things moving. Consult baby’s pediatrician if constipation persists.
How much cheese should I give my 10 month old per day?
At 10-12 months, babies can have 1-2 ounces of cheese per day. This equates to about 1-2 cubes of cheddar or mozzarella. Cheese should complement, not replace, other nourishing solids and breastmilk or formula in baby’s diet.
Can I freeze cheese cubes for babies?
Yes, freezing 1-ounce cheese cubes can make for easy grab-and-go snacks. Best freezing options are mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, Monterey jack, and Swiss. Allow frozen cubes to thaw 5-10 minutes before serving to avoid chill injury to baby’s mouth. Discard any unused thawed cheese within 24 hours.
What type of cheese is safest for my baby?
Mild, pasteurized cheeses from reputable brands are safest. Avoid soft cheeses like feta, brie, and goat cheese until 1 year old due to bacteria risks. Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, ricotta, and cottage cheese are all good first choices. Check labels and choose natural cheese without added powders and preservatives.
Cheese Feeding Guidelines by Age
Use this table as a handy reference for cheese feeding recommendations by baby’s age:
Age | Amount | Type of Cheese |
---|---|---|
0-6 months | None | N/A |
6-8 months | 1-2 tsp grated per day | Cottage cheese, ricotta, mozzarella |
9-12 months | 1-2 ounces per day | Cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack |
1-2 years | 1-2 ounces per day | All pasteurized cheeses |
Serving Cheese to Baby
Here are some simple ways to prepare cheese for your baby:
-Dice, grate, or melt over steamed veggies, meat, or fish
-Mix into scrambled eggs or omelettes
-Stir into purees or mashed potatoes
-Spread thinly over whole grain toast or crackers
-Fill half a whole grain pita pocket
-Top a baked potato
-Make simple cheese quesadillas with tortillas
-Create mini Mozarella cheese sticks
-Add tiny cubes to pasta
-Mix into avocado for a twist on guacamole
-Make fruit and cheese kabobs
-Blend or mash into a sweet dip for fruit slices
Have fun getting creative finding new and enticing ways to serve cheese!
The Bottom Line
Cheese can be a nutritious addition to baby’s diet starting around 6 months of age. Offer small amounts of soft, mild cheeses at first. Monitor closely for potential allergies. Cheese provides protein, calcium, vitamin D and other key nutrients. In moderation, cheese can complement breastmilk or formula in helping fuel baby’s growth and development. As always, consult your pediatrician about the best foods and feeding schedule for your little one!