When can my baby eat yogurt?

Many kids (and adults) just love their yogurt, and surely it’s just the sort of thing a baby will enjoy? After all, it’s smooth and creamy, and it tastes great! But, given that doctors recommend holding off on giving a baby cow’s milk until they’re at least a year old does this same rule apply to milk-based yogurts?

Well, let’s find out!

When is it safe to feed my baby yogurt?

Most experts suggest holding off on introducing yogurt until your baby is at least 9 to 10 months old, however, some doctors will tell you that it’s perfectly safe to introduce yogurt as early as six months old because the milk proteins are broken down during the culturing process.

If you’re feeling a little unsure, your best bet is to speak to your paediatrician who knows your baby and has their own recommendations before exposing your tiny tot to yogurt, but if they’ve been doing well with their solid foods, they’ll more than likely be fine.

But why introduce yogurt? What are the potential benefits for my baby?

What are the potential benefits of introducing my baby to yogurt?

If you choose the right yogurt, you‘ll find that it will be high in protein, calcium, vitamins, and live culture, or probiotics, which are said to improve gut health. So what does this mean for your baby? Well, while these essential vitamins and minerals protect your little one’s bones and teeth, probiotics may help to alleviate digestive problems.

So, how do I choose the right yogurt?

How do I choose the right yogurt for my baby?

When choosing a yogurt, go for whole-milk kinds of yogurt because the nutritious fats in whole-milk products will help your baby’s brain development.

Now, while many yogurts are made especially for babies and older children, many contain vast amounts of added sugar or extra additives. And given that all yogurts already contain naturally-occurring sugars, it’s best to begin with plain, whole-milk yogurt instead. To save some money and do your part for the environment, we suggest buying larger tubs instead of expensive options that come in small batches.

As you would with any other food, introduce yogurt gradually and on its own to identify any allergies.

When can my baby eat yogurt?

Your baby can enjoy this dairy delight towards the end of their first year.