Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and protein. Here’s when to introduce it to your baby and how to prepare it safely for your little one.

Cheese is a fantastic source of calcium and protein, making it an excellent addition to your baby’s diet. If you’re introducing solids through purees or following the baby-led weaning approach, cheese can be a great finger food for your little one. But how do you know when it’s the right time to introduce it, and how should you prepare it to ensure it’s safe for your baby? This guide will help you understand the best practices for introducing cheese, as well as what to do if you suspect a dairy allergy or intolerance.

When Can Babies Have Cheese?

Most babies are ready to begin solids around 6 months of age. Dairy is a common allergen, so it should not be the first food introduced to your new eater. However, you don’t need to wait too long to add cheese into their diet. After your baby has tolerated less allergenic foods like fruits, vegetables, and baby cereals, it’s generally safe to move on to dairy products such as cheese.

Since cheese is often served as a finger food, try introducing it between 6 and 8 months, when your baby is better equipped for self-feeding. In the past, experts recommended waiting to introduce allergenic foods to reduce the risk of reactions, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now advises against waiting too long. In fact, delaying the introduction of dairy, like cheese, could actually increase the risk of an allergy.

Start with softer, easily gummable cheeses that pose less of a choking hazard.

If cheese is the first dairy product you’re offering, it’s best to introduce it at home rather than at daycare or a restaurant. This way, you can keep an eye on your baby for the first hour or two after eating, making it easier to detect any allergic reactions. Plus, you’ll be able to confirm the ingredients your baby ate, which helps pinpoint cheese as the culprit if any issues arise.

How to Prepare Cheese for Your Baby

Begin with cheeses that are soft and typically lower in sodium, such as ricotta, fresh mozzarella, Swiss, young cheddar, or goat cheese. These types are easy for your baby to gum and don’t contain excessive salt. As your little one grows and develops more teeth, you can offer firmer cheeses, such as thin slices of Parmesan. Avoid serving hard chunks of cheese, as these can pose a choking risk.

Regardless of the cheese type, ensure that the cheese you choose meets the following criteria:

Real Cheese – Avoid processed cheese products, such as pre-sliced cheese or cheese spreads, which are often filled with artificial ingredients and excess sodium. Pasteurized Milk – Always opt for cheese made from pasteurized milk, as unpasteurized dairy, especially soft cheeses, can carry listeria, which can make your baby ill. Full-Fat – Full-fat cheeses are the best option for your growing baby, as the fat and cholesterol are essential for healthy development. Skip low-fat varieties. Watch the Sodium – Babies under 12 months should consume no more than 400 milligrams of sodium per day, which can quickly add up with foods like cheese. Serve cheese as part of a balanced menu, choosing simple, real cheese over highly processed options.

The following tips can help you serve cheese at different stages of your baby’s development. Keep in mind that every baby develops at their own pace, and it’s always a good idea to consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s motor skills, chewing abilities, or readiness for certain foods.

How to Prepare Cheese for a 6-Month-Old

For your younger eater, stick with very soft cheeses that are easy to grab or hold. Offer thin strips of mozzarella or small clumps of ricotta or cottage cheese. Once your pediatrician gives you the go-ahead to introduce multi-ingredient foods, you can try spreading soft cheese like ricotta onto whole-grain toast strips.

How to Prepare Cheese for a 9-Month-Old

At 9 months, you can introduce slightly firmer cheeses like mild cheddar or Swiss. Cut them into diced cubes, thin strips, or grated pieces. These textures will help your baby practice their new pincer grasp.

How to Prepare Cheese for 12-Month-Olds and Up

For toddlers, small cubes, thin strips, or mounds of grated cheese are still great options. As your child’s chewing skills improve, you can introduce harder cheeses like Parmesan in thin slices. However, it’s still important to avoid large chunks of hard cheese.

Cheese Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

While cheese is delicious on its own, as your baby’s taste buds develop, you can start to incorporate it into more complex meals. Just be sure to introduce new foods one at a time, especially allergens like eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy, and seafood. Here are a few simple cheese-based recipes to try:

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese – Grated cheddar or mozzarella can be added to scrambled eggs for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal.

English Muffin Pizza – Top half of a whole-wheat English muffin with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella. Cut it into strips or quarters for easy handling.

Cheesy Veggie Melt – Top steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets with Swiss or cheddar cheese and broil until melted.

Fruit and Cheese Plate – Serve shredded cheese with thinly sliced strawberries, halved blueberries, or grated apple.

Cheesy Pasta with Peas – Toss warm whole-wheat pasta with butter, ricotta, and thawed frozen peas.

Mozzarella Meatballs – Tuck little mozzarella balls into mini meatballs before cooking.

Toasted Cheese Bites – Toast a slice of whole-grain bread with cheese until bubbly, then slice it in half to create a mini sandwich. Cut into strips or squares for easy eating.

What Are the Benefits of Cheese for Babies and Toddlers?

Cheese is packed with calcium, a vital mineral for building strong bones, muscles, and teeth — essential for your baby’s growth. Just 1 ½ ounces of cheddar or Swiss cheese provides about 250 milligrams of calcium.

Cheese is also an excellent source of protein, which helps your baby or toddler’s body grow. It can keep them fuller longer than carbs, making it a great option for keeping your child satisfied between meals and snacks.

Can Babies Be Allergic to Cheese?

Cow’s milk is one of the most common allergens for babies, along with eggs and peanuts. However, many children outgrow milk allergies by age 3. Still, it’s crucial to monitor for any signs of an allergic reaction when introducing cheese.

Your baby or toddler may have an allergy if they experience any of the following symptoms within an hour or two of eating cheese:

Hives Itching Swelling of the skin, lips, or tongue Sneezing Wheezing Throat tightness or trouble swallowing Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea Trouble breathing

In addition to allergies, your baby or toddler may experience discomfort if they are lactose intolerant. While lactose intolerance is rare in infants, it can cause symptoms like gas, diarrhea, bloating, irritability, and even trouble gaining weight. Many children with lactose intolerance can still tolerate lower-lactose dairy products, like cheese and yogurt.

If you suspect your baby has a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, remove cheese and other dairy products from their diet and consult your pediatrician. Your child’s doctor may recommend testing to confirm the diagnosis.

In severe cases, an allergic reaction can be life-threatening, leading to anaphylaxis. If your child shows signs of trouble breathing or swallowing, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.

Is Cheese a Choking Hazard for Babies?

Chunks of cheese are a major choking hazard for children under 4. Always prepare cheese appropriately for your child’s age, offering soft or shredded varieties for younger babies and cutting cheese into small, bite-sized pieces for older toddlers.

Always supervise your child while eating, and ensure they are sitting upright during meals. Never serve food when your child is reclining, walking, or playing, as this increases the risk of choking.