Cheese for babies

Who doesn’t love a tasty slice of cheese on their sandwich or melted over their pizza? The flavour and texture of cheese are not the only things making it a beloved food for many of us. Cheese is also full of nutrients, such as Vitamin B12, zinc, phosphorus and iodine as well as protein and fat. 

From what age can your baby eat cheese?

You can introduce cheese from 6 months of age. As cheese contains dairy, you should not introduce it at the same time with other allergens and start with small amounts.  

What kind of cheese is best for your baby?

Children under the age of 2 should eat full-fat cheese, as they will benefit from it as a source of energy. For babies under the age of 12 months, it is best to opt for pasteurised cheese. Unpasteurised and mould-ripened cheeses have a risk of being contaminated with listeria, which can make your little one ill. Some types of cheese, such as feta, parmesan or halloumi, are very salty and should either be given in small amounts or not at all. 

Great options to start with are:

• Cream cheese or ricotta

• Cottage cheese

• Emmental

• Mozzarella

• Cheddar

What are easy ways to introduce cheese to my baby?

• Cottage cheese with berries, sprinkled with flaxseed, is a lovely breakfast option

• Mozzarella sticks are a great first finger food, as they are soft and easy to munch

• Heat our Kale, Apple & Quinoa meal in a warm water bath and add grated cheddar. You will want to dig in yourself!