Cheese is arguably one of the most delicious foods. Whether it’s bubbling away on a slice of toast, spread out amidst grapes and chutneys on an after-dinner cheese board, or sprinkled all over a portion of saucy pasta, there’s nothing quite like it! But will your baby like it? And, given that doctors recommend holding off on giving a baby cow’s milk until they’re at least a year old is it safe for them to eat it?

When is it safe to feed my baby cheese?

When it comes to the introduction of cheese, most experts will tell you that your baby can begin eating cheese around the 7 to 8-month mark. However, if your baby has a known milk allergy or has shown signs of lactose intolerance, you should discuss the introduction of cheese with your paediatrician.

But are there any benefits in introducing my baby to cheese?

Milk products, like cheese, include high levels of protein and calcium, as well as essential minerals like phosphorus and vitamins A (good for vision, growth, and cell division) and B12 (which keeps blood and nerve cells healthy). While protein and calcium are important for growing bones and muscles, phosphorus helps to filter out waste in the kidneys and helps the body store and use energy.

What’s more, cheese can be served in a variety of ways and often requires little to no preparation. And it’s delicious!

So, cheese seems to be well worth introducing to your baby’s diet. But are there any risks?

Is there anything I need to be aware of when introducing cheese to my baby?

When choosing cheese for your little one, make sure you select pasteurised options. Cheese that hasn't been pasteurised won’t necessarily have been sterilised and, therefore, could prove unsafe for a baby.

Now, once you introduce your baby to cheese, there are a few things to look for:

Allergies. If your baby has shown previous signs of allergies to other foods, speak to your paediatrician before introducing cheese. These signs could include skin rashes, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, difficulty breathing, and an upset stomach. When it comes to babies, it can be rather tricky to identify these symptoms, but if you’re at all concerned, don’t hesitate to call your paediatrician.

Lactose Intolerance. Lactose intolerance will generally begin in childhood but get worse with age, so it can be tricky to identify in infants, however, should you notice any of the following:

Visible bloating
Excessive gas or burping
Diahorrhea
Constipation

If you believe you baby might be lactose intolerant, remove cheese for the time being and speak to your paediatrician.

Sodium levels. Generally speaking, babies shouldn’t be ingesting much more than 370 milligrams of sodium a day, and as cheese is a high-sodium food type, we need to be careful to monitor how much we’re serving. Mozzarella and cheddar are examples of high-sodium cheeses, while parmesan and ricotta are examples of lower sodium cheeses. This is not to say that your baby can’t enjoy these cheeses, simply that the portions might need to be on the smaller side for now.

So, by now, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to look out for once you first expose your baby to cheese, but how exactly should you introduce it?

How do I introduce my baby to cheese?

Since solid cheese can pose a choking hazard, you’ll want to begin with a softer cheese that can be spoon-fed (cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta) in small amounts. Remember, too, that foods should be introduced on their own over a few days to identify any allergies.

As your baby gets a little older and starts to use their hands whilst eating, you can move on to shredded/grated cheeses, or you could try sprinkling a little over another dish.

One last point to bear in mind is that cheese products won’t always offer the nutritious value of whole cheeses, so try to opt for whole milk-based cheese, such as ricotta and cream cheese.

When can my baby eat cheese?

Dairy is a joy you’re baby can share at the right age.