Yogurt is a nutritious food that can be introduced into a baby’s diet once they are ready to start eating solid foods. Most experts recommend waiting until a baby is around 6 months old before offering yogurt for the first time.
When to Introduce Yogurt
Here is a general timeline for when a baby can begin eating yogurt:
- 4-6 months: Some pediatricians give the okay to start offering a few spoonfuls of plain, whole milk yogurt at this age.
- 6 months: This is the most common age that babies can begin eating yogurt, along with other solid finger foods.
- 9-12 months: By this age range, yogurt should be a regular part of a baby’s diet.
There are a few signs that indicate a baby is developmentally ready to start eating yogurt and other solid foods around 6 months of age:
- They can sit up with support and hold their head steady.
- They have lost the tongue-thrust reflex so they don’t automatically push solids back out of their mouth.
- They seem interested in foods you eat and reach for your food.
Every baby develops on their own timeline, so some may be ready a bit earlier or later than 6 months. It’s best to look for signs of readiness and consult your pediatrician before introducing any new foods, including yogurt.
Choosing a Yogurt
When picking out a yogurt for your 6 month old, keep these tips in mind:
- Plain, whole milk yogurt – Flavored, low-fat, or nonfat yogurts often have added sugar and less protein and fat needed for babies.
- No honey – Honey is not safe for babies under 1 year due to risk of infant botulism.
- Smooth texture – Choose yogurts without mix-ins like fruit chunks or granola that could be a choking hazard.
- Probiotics – Look for yogurts containing live active cultures to support your baby’s gut health.
Organic yogurt options are ideal when possible to avoid hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides used in conventional dairy farming.
Serving Yogurt to Baby
When first introducing yogurt, there are a few tips to make it a success:
- Start with just 1-2 teaspoons of yogurt at a time.
- Offer yogurt when your baby seems hungry, but not overly tired or fussy.
- Try mixing a few teaspoons of breastmilk or formula into the yogurt to thin it out.
- Be patient and don’t get discouraged if your baby doesn’t like it at first. It can take over a dozen times of trying a new food for baby to accept it.
Here is a sample schedule for incorporating yogurt into your baby’s diet:
| Age | How Much | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 months | 1-4 tbsp | Once a day |
| 9-11 months | 4-6 tbsp | 1-2 times per day |
| 12+ months | 6-8 tbsp | 1-2 times per day |
Benefits of Yogurt
Here are some of the key nutrients and benefits yogurt provides for babies:
- Protein – Yogurt contains high-quality protein needed for growth and development. Babies require 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
- Calcium – Essential for building strong bones and teeth. Yogurt is rich in calcium, providing 15-20% of baby’s needs per serving.
- Vitamin B12 – Supports nerve function and red blood cell formation. Babies have limited reserves of B12 at birth.
- Phosphorus – Works with calcium for bone health. Also supports muscle and brain function.
- Probiotics – Live cultures in yogurt promote healthy gut bacteria and stronger immunity.
The high nutritional value of yogurt makes it an excellent first food to introduce during a baby’s transition to solid meals.
Risks and Precautions
There are a few precautions to keep in mind when feeding yogurt to your baby:
- Allergies – Since yogurt contains milk/dairy, babies with a cow’s milk allergy should avoid it. Signs of an allergy include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
- Choking hazards – Only give smooth, age-appropriate textures. No large chunks of fruit, granola, nuts, etc.
- Overfeeding – Too much dairy can displace other nutrients needed in baby’s diet. Follow recommended serving sizes.
- Sugar content – Many flavored yogurts have added sugar. Read labels and choose unsweetened varieties.
If you have any concerns about introducing yogurt or signs of an adverse reaction in your baby, consult your pediatrician.
Making Yogurt at Home
While buying pre-made yogurt at the store is simple, some parents enjoy the process of making yogurt at home. Benefits include controlling ingredients, avoiding preservatives, and customizing textures. Here is an overview of how to make homemade yogurt:
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk – Whole milk works best. Non-fat or low-fat milk may not culture well.
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt with live cultures – This is the starter yogurt.
- Optional: Raw honey or fruit puree for flavor (wait until baby is over 1 year for honey).
Steps
- Sterilize any equipment you’ll use by boiling for 5 minutes. This kills harmful bacteria.
- Heat milk to 180°F, stirring frequently. Hold at this temp for 10 minutes.
- Let milk cool to 110-115°F. This takes around 30 minutes.
- Whisk in 1/4 cup yogurt until blended. This inoculates the milk with cultures.
- Pour mixture into containers, cover, and culture 6-8 hours or until set.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.
Homemade yogurt will keep for 1-2 weeks refrigerated. The live cultures remain active over time.
Conclusion
Yogurt is a nutritious food that most babies can begin eating around 6 months of age. Look for signs your baby is developmentally ready, then introduce plain whole milk yogurt. Serve just a few teaspoons at first, gradually increasing serving size and frequency. Yogurt provides protein, calcium, probiotics, and other nutrients to support your baby’s growth and development. Pay attention to possible allergies or intolerances. With some care and patience, yogurt can become a healthy regular part of your baby’s balanced diet.