When to feed baby cheese
When Can Babies Have Cheese?
When your health care provider says it is time to start introducing solid food to your baby, you may be wondering which foods are appropriate for her to eat and which are no-nos. One great question is, when can my baby eat cheese?
As a registered dietitian, I get questioned whether a baby can enjoy cheese quite often. This article will break down when your baby can transition to solid foods, whether she can have cheese, and tips on how to safely incorporate cheese into her diet.
When can my baby have solid foods?
While every baby is different, most get the green-light to start solids between 4 and 6 months of age. The permission to start introducing solid foods is based on your baby’s developmental milestones and not simply on a date on a calendar, so always consult with your health care provider before beginning to introduce new foods.
Some developmental signs that indicate baby is ready to try solid foods include:
-
Baby is able to sit upright without being supported.
-
Baby shows interest in food when a caregiver is eating.
-
Baby can hold her head up by herself.
-
Baby no longer has the tongue thrust reflex that she had when she was younger and was breast or bottle feeding.
The medical literature suggests that introducing solid foods too early may lead to increased risk of chronic disease, as well as increased risk of diarrhea, as baby’s gut may not be fully developed. On the other hand, introducing solids too late may increase feeding difficulties. Your health care provider will encourage you to set up the high chair when the time is right.
When can I feed my baby cheese?
Since babies should not be fed cow’s milk until one year of age, other dairy foods like cheese and yogurt should be considered. Cheese is a tasty and nutritious food that provides nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin A.
Cheese may be introduced around 9 months.
In the past, parents were told to avoid potentially allergenic foods, like dairy and eggs, to reduce the risk of baby developing a food allergy. However, experts now agree that babies should be exposed to common allergenic foods early and often, as this practice is now being linked to fewer food allergies in children.
If you are concerned about lactose intolerance in your baby, it is important to note that this condition is actually very uncommon in infants, and symptoms typically develop closer to the age of three. In addition, lactose intolerance should not be confused with a milk protein allergy. Due to culturing, cheeses like cheddar and colby naturally contain very little lactose. However, if your baby has a confirmed milk protein allergy, they should not be offered cheese. It’s always a good idea to consult with your health care provider before introducing a food if you have any concerns.
What to Look For
There are certain features to look for when evaluating which cheese to feed your baby and toddler:
Choose cheese made from the milk of pasture-raised cows.
Cheese made from pasture-raised milk contains higher levels of healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition showed grass-fed milk contained 147% more omega-3 and 125% more CLA than the milk of cows fed grain-focused diets.
Choose certified organic cheese.
Organic cheese is always produced without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides, or GMOs. (What does certified organic mean?)
Choose pasteurized cheese.
At this age, it’s best to avoid raw (unpasteurized) cheese and soft cheeses like brie. Organic Valley offers a number of pasteurized cheeses including colby, mild and sharp cheddar, American singles, and string cheese.
Tips for Introducing Cheese to Your Baby
Handing your baby a hunk of cheddar is not the safest choice for your toothless baby, as clearly this could be a choking hazard.
Once baby is developmentally ready to taste the wonder that is cheese, try some of these tips:
-
Mix Organic Valley shredded mozzarella cheese into dishes like scrambled eggs for a calcium boost.
-
Once your baby is able to self-feed and tolerate finger foods, finely shredded Organic Valley cheese blends are a simple addition to your kiddo’s meal that she can feed to herself. Or at least attempt to!
-
As your baby becomes a toddler and it is developmentally appropriate, Organic Valley Stringles cheese sticks are perfectly portioned and sized for your little one’s hand.
Bottom Line
Cheese can be a healthy part of your baby’s diet once she is developmentally ready to chew and swallow it. It is a source of high-quality protein and important bone-building nutrients that are essential as baby grows. Choosing organic cheeses like Organic Valley’s options ensures baby is not being exposed to toxins or pesticides that you normally try to avoid.
Incorporating cheese into your baby’s diet is a nutritious choice to make for your family.
Recommendations for Further Reading:
“Prevention of Allergies and Asthma in Children” by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Additional Resources:
Kleinman R.E., Greer F.R. American Academy of Pediatrics, Kleinman RE, Greer FR. Pediatric Nutrition: Policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013.
Lauren Manaker is an award-winning registered dietitian and book author. After spending over 15 years working in healthcare and industry, she started a consulting business focusing on reproductive, pediatric, and women’s health. Lauren resides in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and young daughter. In her spare time, she can be found enjoying an outdoor oyster roast in the cooler months, doing anything on the water in the warmer months, and practicing yoga year-round.
When Is It OK for Babies to Eat Cheese?
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
In this Article
- Introducing Babies to Cheese
- Cheeses to Avoid
- Nutritional Benefits of Cheese for Babies
- Cheese Safety Precautions for Babies
When you first introduce your baby to solid foods, it's best to stick to purees of single fruits and vegetables. If your baby is getting to be a pro at eating these early purees, you may be wondering when it's time to introduce cheese and which kinds your baby can eat. Read on to learn which cheeses you can feed your baby and which you should avoid.
Introducing Babies to Cheese
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby's first foods be single-ingredient purees or very soft foods. However, once your baby is ready for more textured foods, around 9 to 12 months of age, you can start to introduce cheese. The cheese you give your baby should be grated or cut into small cubes.
Before you give your baby any finger foods, including cheese, you should ask yourself:
- Does it melt in your mouth?
- Does it mush easily?
- Can it be gummed?
- Is it small enough?
Don't give your baby chunks of cheese because it's a choking hazard. The cheese you give your baby should be full-fat and pasteurized. Some good options are:
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Other cheeses that are clearly labeled "made from pasteurized milk"
Cheeses to Avoid
Some cheeses may be harmful to your baby. These include:
- Mold-ripened soft cheeses like brie or camembert
- Blue-veined cheese like roquefort
- Ripened goats' milk cheese like chèvre
- Any cheese that is not pasteurized
Unpasteurized cheeses can contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can invade food and cause foodborne illnesses, also called food poisoning.
Children under the age of five are at a higher risk for contracting food poisoning because their immune systems aren't fully developed. They can't fight off infections as well as older children and adults. Young children also produce less stomach acid that kills off harmful bacteria.
Additionally, young children are more likely to become dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea because of their small size. Children under five who get food poisoning from the bacteria E. coli are more likely to develop a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This can cause chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and even death.
Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that kills the bacteria that causes food poisoning. If you aren't sure if a food or drink is pasteurized, don't give it to your baby.
Nutritional Benefits of Cheese for Babies
Cheese is a nutrient-dense food that contains proteins, fats, and minerals. Aged cheese contains lower levels of lactose than milk does, so it can be better tolerated by people who are lactose intolerant.
Lactose is a type of sugar that is not easily digested by people who don't have the enzyme to break it down. Cheese is also high in:
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin A
- Protein
When you first introduce cheese to your baby, they will still get most of their nutrition from breastmilk or formula. By the time your baby is two years old, they should be getting two servings of milk daily. A serving is 1 cup of milk, 1½ ounces of hard cheese, or 2 ounces of processed cheese.
Cheese Safety Precautions for Babies
There are two main safety concerns associated with feeding cheese to babies: milk allergy and milk intolerance. Let your pediatrician know immediately if your baby has any reaction to cheese. Testing can be done to confirm a milk allergy so that you can avoid milk products in the future.
Milk allergy. The most common food allergy in babies and young children is cow's milk.
Most children will eventually outgrow their milk allergy, although some will not. When a child is allergic to milk, their body reacts to the milk protein by triggering an immune system response. The reaction can range from mild to severe. Symptoms of milk allergy occur after your child eats or drinks a food that contains milk. Symptoms that can be immediate include:
- Itching or tingling around lips and mouth
- Wheezing
- Coughing or shortness of breath
- Hives
- Vomiting
Some symptoms take longer to develop. These can include:
- Diarrhea, which may contain blood
- Stomach cramps
- Watery eyes
- Colic in babies
- Runny nose
A milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis, which is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis requires emergency treatment. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Constricted airways (e.g., a swollen throat that makes it difficult to breathe)
- Itching
- Flushed face
- Shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure
Milk intolerance.
Milk intolerance, also called lactose intolerance, is different from a milk allergy. Milk intolerance doesn't involve the immune system. People with lactose intolerance don't have the enzyme they need to break down a type of sugar in milk called lactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Lactose intolerance is usually harmless, but the symptoms can be uncomfortable. People with lactose intolerance may not need to give up all dairy products. Aged cheese contains less lactose than milk, so it may be better tolerated.
Is cheese good for children? Cheese in baby food. When and what kind of cheese can be given to children.
Cheese is a valuable, nutritious, healthy dairy product for people of all ages. It contains many useful substances in its composition and is able to have a positive effect on the adult and especially the children's body.
Is cheese good for children?
Cheeses contain the following useful substances:
- proteins and amino acids - they contribute to the formation of tissues, growth and development of the child's body;
- calcium - it ensures the strength of tooth enamel and the entire tooth as a whole, the strength of nails and bones, the healthy condition of the skin and hair;
- vitamins A and E, which have antioxidant properties - they increase the child's local and general immunity, remove radionuclides and toxic substances from the body;
- fatty acids - provide a healthy skin condition and contribute to the normal functioning of the brain;
Cheeses can completely satisfy a child's hunger, give a feeling of satiety in a short time, charge the baby with a boost of energy.
Eating cheese regularly has a beneficial effect on vision and allows the child to gain weight when it is deficient. Regular chewing of cheese forms the correct development of the jaw apparatus. The presence of cheese in the children's diet allows you to diversify the children's menu, expand the child's taste sensations. It is recommended for children suffering from lactase deficiency - it removes all excess milk sugar (lactose) from the child's body.
When to introduce cheese into a child's diet
Cheese is not recommended for infants. And after the child reaches 6 months, cottage cheese can be introduced into his diet.
The first acquaintance of the baby with cheese (hard varieties) should occur no earlier than he is 10-11 months old. For a child at this age, cheese is served as complementary foods - this will allow you not to overload the child's gastrointestinal tract with a product with a high content of animal protein.
In a child who has reached the age of 12 months, the digestive system is stabilized, the intestinal walls and immunity are strengthened, the pancreas begins to produce the necessary enzymes in sufficient quantities.
And also, at this age, the risk of spreading various pathogenic bacteria in the blood is reduced, the possibility of an allergic reaction to an unfamiliar product is minimized. Therefore, a child who has reached the age of 1 year can be introduced into the diet of cheese on an ongoing basis.
Consumption norms
It is recommended to give a child aged 1-1.5 years a portion of cheese equal to 5 grams. And this should be done no more than 2-3 times a week.
For a child aged 1.5-2 years, a single dose of the product can be increased up to 15 grams. And for a child aged 2-4 years, a single dose should be increased to 20 grams and given 2-3 times a week.
How to serve cheese to a child
For a child under the age of 4, cheese is recommended to be served grated. It can be combined with various dishes (vegetables, casseroles, scrambled eggs). At the same time, it is important not to salt the dishes served with cheese. It is also not recommended to combine cheese with butter or a meat dish.
For children aged 4 years and over, the product can be served as a sandwich or cut into slices. This way of eating cheese is ideal for school-age children.
Types of cheese not desirable for children
The following types of cheese are not recommended for small children: Cheese has incorporated all the best that is in milk. High calcium content (about ten times more in cheese than in cottage cheese), vitamins A, B, D, PP and E, phosphorus and minerals, already fermented, easy to digest protein. But with all this splendor, cheese is not suitable for feeding children under 10 months. There is too much protein in cheeses (there is even more of it in cheese than in meat), and after all, an excess of protein is just as dangerous as its lack. Important! The baby's body is not yet able to cope with excess salt and protein, so most pediatricians do not recommend giving cheese until 10-12 months. Choose products for babies under one year old Dozens of varieties of cheese are sold in the store. Not all are suitable for kids. We immediately discard the entire group of blue cheeses, smoked cheeses, cheeses with hot peppers, etc. Too spicy, too salty, not suitable for baby food. In the remaining assortment, we are looking for cheeses with a low fat content, preferably no more than 30-35%. In the usual varieties "Gouda", "Edam", "Creamy" fat content is 42-55% and up to 70%, they cannot be used in the diet of children under one year old. Next, among the remaining cheeses, sort out those with the inscription "pickled cheese". These are the varieties "brynza", "suluguni", etc. Important! Ideal for baby food - special baby cheeses. They are low-fat, with a reduced amount of salt and minerals. At 11-12 months, the baby can be introduced to the taste of cheese, a couple of times a week to give a piece the size of a pea. After one year, cheese can be increased to five grams per day. Offer cheese at least one meal away from meat, such as pear or zucchini. When can cheese be given to a child and what
A high proportion of minerals and a large amount of salt in almost all types of cheese overload the baby's kidneys. 
The technology of their preparation includes several days of soaking in brine. These cheeses are too salty, which is dangerous for the baby. You can significantly reduce the amount of salt in cheese by soaking a small piece in cold water for 2-3 hours. It is better to change the water a couple of times. The taste, of course, will become insipid and uninteresting, but such cheese will only benefit the child. Of the remaining cheeses, we look at varieties with a minimum salt content. These are Ricotta, Mozzarella, Cheddar, etc. If the cheese seems too salty, a piece can be soaked in water and only then given to the baby. 
