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Is cheese safe for babies? Which types are best? When should you offer it? Here’s your go-to guide with all the answers plus easy, nutritious ways to serve it.
Table of Contents
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.
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Is Cheese Healthy for Babies?
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 and vitamin D – supports bone health, muscle function, and immune health
- Vitamin B12 – important for nervous system development and healthy blood cell
Is Cheese a Choking Hazard?
Yes, it can be if cut into small cubes or thick slices. Cheese strings also should be avoided due to its cylindrical shape. All of these shapes increase the chances of the cheese getting lodged in your baby’s airway.
You also need to avoid thick melted cheese. Just like thick globs of peanut butter, it can get stuck in your baby’s airway.
Best Cheese for Babies
When choosing the best cheese for your baby, look for ones that are low in sodium (under 100 mg per serving), made from pasteurized milk to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, and made with whole milk since healthy fats are important for 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. You can keep some separate for your baby before adding the cheese, but I often just mix it in, knowing that my baby will only be eating a small part of the whole meal.
How to Serve Cheese to Babies
6-8 Months
Soft, spreadable cheeses are so versatile for babies. You can:
- serve as is with a spoon (this baby spoon is a must-have!)
- spread onto toast. Here’s the best bread for babies as well as fun toast ideas!
- combine with baby oatmeal, lentils, or baby cereal
- stir in peanut butter
- Toss with iron-rich baby pasta
Shredded cheese is another easy option – just add to baked goods or to baby and toddler-friendly dinners for extra flavor and nutrition without any extra fuss.
9-11 Months
In addition to the above options, you can start offering
- 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
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 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)
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically yes, BUT it is best to invite other foods into your baby’s diet. It is also filling due to its high protein and fat content likely leaving little room for your baby to try other foods.
Too much dairy can also lead to iron-deficiency anemia as calcium can inhibit iron absorption. Again, this is not to say you shouldn’t serve cheese but a reminder to always practice moderation.
Here are the best iron rich foods for babies that you do want to focus on serving early and often.
It can if your baby consumes more than the recommended amount of 1-2 ounces of cheese per day. That’s because cheese contains little fiber while being high in fat.
Keep in mind though that constipation in babies can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack of fluids, not getting enough fiber, and changes in diet or routine.
Salt is used to help control moisture, prevent bacteria growth, and for flavor. The amount of salt used really depends on the variety and the cheesemaker’s preference so be sure to always check the labels.
This is a great option if your baby is allergic to dairy or your family follows a plant-based diet. Just be sure to look at the ingredient list closely to make sure there aren’t too many preservaties and salt.
You don’t! Although organic cheese does contain more healthy fats, it is more expensive. If it’s in your budget, sure! But whether organic or non-organic, cheese is a nutritious and delicious food to introduce to your baby.
The official serving size recommendation for dairy is 2-3 servings per day. One serving equals 1/2 ounce of cheese, so your toddler can have up to 1.5 ounces of cheese a day.
However, it’s important to continue exposing your child to a variety of foods. So try to invite other foods into the rotation.
Baby Food Recipes with Cheese
You can easily swap the cheese to suit your needs and preferences.
Savory Vegetable Muffins
Pizza Eggs
Mini Waffles
Baked Sweet Potato Tots
Savory French toast
Healthy Sweet Potato Patties
Baked Veggie Nuggets
English muffin pizza (with vegetables)
Hummus Grilled Cheese
Mini crustless quiche
Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Spinach
Creamy Chicken Orzo
No stir Quinoa Risotto with Mushrooms
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Vegetarian Sweet Potato Lasagna with Quinoa
