Your budding eater might not be ready for that funky blue quite yet. But cheese can still be a go-to finger food for new noshers, whether you are introducing solids in the form of purées or are trying baby-led weaning (an approach that introduces solids in the form of finger foods).
What’s more, plenty of different types can make it onto the menu. Here’s how to find the right fromage for your little epicure, tips to serve cheese safely to babies, plus what to do if you suspect your baby or toddler has a dairy allergy or intolerance.
When can babies have cheese?
Most babies are ready to start solids sometime around 6 months. Dairy is a common allergen, so it shouldn’t be the very first item on your new eater’s menu. But you don’t have to hold off too long before introducing cheese either. Once your baby has tried and tolerated several less-allergenic foods (like fruits, veggies or baby cereal) experts say it's okay to move onto more common allergens like dairy, including cheese.
Since cheese lends itself to being eaten as a finger food, aim to introduce it between 6 and 8 months, when your child is more capable of self-feeding. While experts used to think that introducing allergenic foods later reduced the risk for reactions, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now says there’s no reason to wait. In fact, waiting too long to serve dairy-based foods like cheese might raise a child’s allergy risk.
Start with options that are soft and or easily shreddable, which are easier to gum and pose less of a choking hazard.
If cheese is the first dairy-based food you serve, plan for your baby’s first introduction to happen at home (versus at day care or in a restaurant). That’ll make it easier to keep an eye on him for the first hour or two after eating so you can watch for any potential allergic reactions. You’ll also know for sure about all of the ingredients he ate at mealtime, making it easier to pinpoint cheese as the culprit if there’s a problem.
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How to prepare cheese for your baby
Start with options that are soft and typically lower in sodium, like ricotta, fresh mozzarella, Swiss, young cheddar or goat cheese. These types are better for gumming, plus they won’t deliver a salt overload. You can move on to firmer or more flavorful options (think thin shards of Parmesan) as your gourmand gains more experience — and more teeth. Avoid giving your baby or toddler chunks of hard cheese, which pose a choking hazard.
Regardless of the type of cheese and your tot’s age, a fromage that’s fit for the menu should be:
- Real cheese, not processed cheese products. Steer clear of processed cheese slices or packaged cheese spreads or sauces, which often contain artificial ingredients and loads of sodium.
- Made from pasteurized milk. Dairy products made from raw milk, especially soft cheeses, can be contaminated with listeria and make your baby or toddler sick. If a label doesn’t specify that a cheese is pasteurized, don’t serve it.
- Full-fat. The fat and cholesterol are good for your baby or toddler’s growing body, so avoid low-fat cheeses.
- Pay attention to sodium. Babies under 12 months should consume fewer than 400 milligrams of sodium per day, which can quickly add up from foods like cheese. The key is serving cheese as part of a balanced menu and picking simple cheese made from real ingredients over ones that are highly processed.
The tips below can help parents determine how to serve cheese at different stages, but keep in mind that all babies develop at their own pace. Speak with your pediatrician before beginning baby-led weaning, and talk to him or her if you have any concerns about your child's oral-motor skills, chewing skills, swallowing skills, or if you're unsure whether or not your baby is ready for certain food preparations.
How to prepare cheese for a 6-month-old
Stick with very soft cheeses in pieces or clumps that your new eater can grab or palm. Think thin strips of mozzarella or little mounds of ricotta or cottage cheese. Once your pediatrician gives the green light to offer multi-ingredient foods, you can also try spreading a soft cheese like ricotta onto whole grain toast strips.
How to prepare cheese for a 9-month-old
Offer slightly firmer cheeses — think mild cheddar or Swiss — in diced cubes, thin strips, or grated. These types offer a yummy way for your little nibbler to practice his brand-new pincer grasp.
How to prepare cheese for 12-month-olds and up
Small cheese cubes, thin cheese strips or mounds of grated cheese are still great choices. Now that your new toddler’s chewing skills are getting better, you can try thin pieces of harder cheeses like Parmesan. But you should still avoid chunks of hard cheese.
Cheese recipes for babies and toddlers
Cheese all by itself is pretty darn delicious. But as your baby’s palate expands and his plate (slowly) starts to look more like yours, that cheddar or mozz will likely get served as part of more multi-ingredient meals. Just remember to always introduce one food at a time, especially top allergens like eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy and seafood.
Some yummy starting points:
- Scrambled eggs with cheese. It’s as simple as it sounds. Crowd-pleasers like grated cheddar or mozzarella are always a hit.
- English muffin pizza. Top half of a whole wheat English muffin with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella. Cut the muffin into strips or quarters for easy handling.
- Cheesy veggie melt. Top broccoli or cauliflower florets that have been steamed until soft and chopped into small pieces with Swiss or cheddar and broil until melted.
- Fruit and cheese plate. Offer a little mound of shredded cheese with thinly sliced strawberries, halved or smushed blueberries, or grated apple.
- Cheesy pasta with peas. Toss warm whole wheat pasta with butter, ricotta grated cheese and frozen thawed peas.
- Mozzarella meatballs. Tuck little balls of mozzarella in the center of mini meatballs before cooking.
- Toasted cheese bites. Pop a slice of whole grain bread in the toaster topped with cheese and toast until bubbly. Slice toast in half and fold to make half a sandwich. Cut sandwich into strips or squares.
What are the benefits of cheese for babies and toddlers?
No matter how you slice it, all types of cheese are excellent sources of calcium. The mineral is a must for building strong, healthy bones, muscles and teeth — something your tot’s body is working hard at these days. And it doesn’t take much: Just 1 1/2 ounces of cheddar or Swiss serves up about 250 milligrams of calcium.
Cheese is also a great way to give your baby or toddler’s meal an easy protein boost, especially if he tends to turn her nose up at meat. It’ll also help him stay fuller longer than a plate full of carbs, so he’s satisfied until his next meal or snack.
Can babies be allergic to cheese?
Cow’s milk is one of the most common baby food allergens, along with eggs and peanuts. (Though thankfully, many kids outgrow their milk allergies by age 3.) However, that does mean it’s extra important to watch for signs of a possible reaction when introducing cheese, especially if it’s the first dairy food you’re serving.
Your baby or toddler might have a food allergy if, immediately or within an hour or two after eating, he experiences:
- Hives
- Itching
- Skin, lip or tongue swelling
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Throat tightness or trouble swallowing
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea
- Trouble breathing
Cheese might also bother your baby or toddler if he’s lactose intolerant, meaning he can’t break down or digest lactose — a sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance is very rare in babies and infants, but when it does occur, it’s marked by problems like gas, diarrhea, bloating, spotting up, irritability and even failure to thrive or gain weight.
On the other hand, lactose intolerance doesn’t necessarily mean all types of cheese are totally off limits. Many kids who can’t tolerate milk can still tolerate lower-lactose dairy foods like cheese and yogurt.
If you suspect that your baby or toddler has a milk allergy or an intolerance, take cheese and other dairy foods off the menu and discuss his symptoms with the pediatrician. Your child's doctor might recommend blood or skin testing to confirm the diagnosis.
An allergic reaction may be more severe or possibly life-threatening (called anaphylaxis) if multiple areas of the body are affected. In the rare event that your child shows signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction like trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 right away.
Is cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Chunks of cheese are a top choking hazard for children 4 and under. Make sure you always prepare cheese safely for your child's age, such as by offering soft or shredded varieties for the earliest eaters, then cutting cheese into small, bite-sized cubes or strips for older babies and toddlers.
Make sure, too, to always supervise your young child when he's eating, sit him upright during mealtimes and never serve food while he's reclining, walking, sitting in a car seat or playing.
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