Kamil Perry
Butter and cheese are both dairy products, which can be introduced to babies as part of a healthy and balanced diet. However, dairy is a common allergen, and butter and cheese are not exempt from this. While butter can be introduced when a baby starts solids, usually around six months of age, cheese is recommended for babies who are ready for textured foods, around nine to twelve months.
Is cheese or butter good for babies?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | |
| Age to introduce cheese | 6-9 months |
| Type of cheese to introduce | Mild-tasting, pasteurised, low-sodium cheese |
| Examples | Cottage cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, mozzarella, cheddar, goat cheese |
| Health benefits | Rich in calcium, protein, vitamins D and B12 |
| Health risks | Dairy allergy, lactose intolerance, high sodium |
| Butter | |
| Age to introduce butter | 6 months |
| Health benefits | Source of vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K2, prevents choking |
| Health risks | Dairy allergy, high calorie count, high saturated fat content |
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What You'll Learn
- Babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old
- Cheese is a nutrient-dense food, containing protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins
- Butter can be introduced when babies are ready for solids, usually around 6 months
- Butter is a source of vitamins and healthy fats, but it's high in saturated fats
- Butter is a common allergen, and milk allergy is common in young children
Babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old
Cheese can form part of a healthy, balanced diet for babies and young children, providing calcium, protein, and vitamins. According to the NHS, babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old. This includes hard cheeses, such as mild cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, and cream cheese.
However, it is important to note that babies and young children should not eat mould-ripened soft cheeses, such as brie or camembert, or ripened goats' milk cheese and soft blue-veined cheese, such as roquefort. These cheeses have a higher risk of carrying a bacteria called listeria. While cooking kills the listeria bacteria, making baked brie a safer option, it is still recommended that babies and young children avoid these cheeses altogether.
When introducing cheese to your baby, it is advisable to start with cheeses that have a mild taste, as sharp-tasting cheeses might be off-putting and cause your baby to dislike it immediately. It is also important to cut the cheese into small, meltable bits to avoid the risk of choking.
In terms of butter, while it is not a health food due to its high calorie and saturated fat content, it can be introduced to babies in small servings as part of a balanced diet. Butter is a good source of vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K2, and its fat content can contribute to a baby's healthy development. However, dairy is a common allergen, and butter is typically made from cow's milk, so it is important to be cautious when introducing butter to your baby.
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Cheese is a nutrient-dense food, containing protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins
Cheese provides calcium, which is essential for developing healthy teeth and bones in babies. It is also a good source of protein, which is necessary for the building and repair of body tissues. Additionally, cheese contains vitamins like Vitamin D, which aids in bone health, and Vitamin B12, which is especially beneficial for vegetarian babies as it is abundantly found in meat.
Cheese also contains healthy fats that contribute to a baby's overall health and development. Certain types of cheese, like cottage cheese, offer a range of nutrients and healthy fats that support the baby's well-being. Cheese is also easy to incorporate into a baby's diet and can be added to various foods, making it a convenient way to boost their nutrient intake.
When introducing cheese to babies, it is recommended to start with mild-tasting cheeses as sharp-tasting varieties may be unappealing to their developing palates. Soft cheeses like ricotta, mascarpone, mozzarella, and cottage cheese are often suggested as first cheeses due to their mild flavor and softer texture, which can be easier for babies to gum or chew. It is important to introduce cheese in small quantities to monitor for any potential allergies or intolerances.
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Butter can be introduced when babies are ready for solids, usually around 6 months
Butter is a dairy product made from the fats and proteins in milk, most often cow's milk. While butter is not a health food for adults, it can be beneficial for babies and young children. The fat in butter can contribute to a baby's healthy development, and its creamy texture does not pose a choking hazard. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that parents can introduce their babies to a wide variety of healthy solid foods when they are developmentally ready, which is usually around 6 months of age.
Babies can safely consume butter at this age, as long as it is spread thinly or incorporated into other smooth foods. Butter is a good source of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B12, and vitamin K2. It also has a high calorie count, which can be advantageous for babies who need to gain weight, although this is uncommon.
However, it is important to monitor butter intake, as excessive consumption of saturated fat can be detrimental to a child's health, especially if they are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Additionally, if a baby consumes too much butter, they may not have an appetite for other nutritious foods.
It is also worth noting that dairy is a common allergen, and butter is no exception. Lactose intolerance or a milk protein allergy may cause digestive issues in babies. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before introducing butter to a baby's diet if there are any concerns about allergies or intolerances.
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Butter is a source of vitamins and healthy fats, but it's high in saturated fats
Butter is a source of vitamins and healthy fats, but it's important to remember that it's also high in saturated fats. While butter can be a part of a baby's diet, it should be consumed in moderation. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), certain conditions may call for cutting back on saturated fats in a child's diet. For example, parents of children who are overweight, at risk of being overweight, or have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol should speak with a pediatrician or registered dietitian about limiting saturated fats in their diet.
Butter is made from the fats and proteins in milk, typically cow's milk. It offers some health benefits for babies and young children, but it's not a necessity for a healthy diet. The fat in butter can contribute to a baby's healthy development and help keep them full. It also has a high calorie count, which can be beneficial for babies who need to gain weight, although this is rare. Additionally, butter is a source of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B12, and vitamin K2.
However, due to its high-fat content, butter should be consumed in moderation to ensure babies have an appetite for other nutritious foods. It's important to keep butter servings moderate so that children still consume a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
When introducing butter to a baby's diet, it's recommended to stir it into their food, such as mashed vegetables or porridge, or to use it for cooking age-appropriate fruits or vegetables. It's important to ensure there are no chunks of firm, cold butter in a baby's meal to avoid choking hazards.
It's worth noting that dairy is a common allergen, and butter may not be suitable for babies with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance. In such cases, parents should consult with a healthcare professional before introducing butter or other dairy products to their baby's diet.
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Butter is a common allergen, and milk allergy is common in young children
Cheese and butter can be a part of a baby's diet, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind, especially regarding allergies and nutritional content.
Butter is a dairy product made from the fats and proteins in milk, most often cow's milk. While butter offers some health benefits for young children, it is not a health food. Its high-calorie count and saturated fat content mean that adults should consume it in moderation. However, limiting fat intake is not recommended for most babies and toddlers, and the fat in butter can contribute to a baby's healthy development. The fat in butter helps keep babies full and can be beneficial for those who need to gain weight. Butter also provides vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K2.
However, butter is a common allergen, and milk allergy is common in young children, accounting for about one-fifth of all childhood food allergies. Lactose intolerance, which can cause bloating, gas, diarrhoea, nausea, and discomfort, is sometimes mistaken for a milk allergy. If there is a history of allergies or lactose intolerance in the family, parents should consult a healthcare professional before introducing butter or other dairy products to their baby's diet.
Cheese is another dairy product that can be introduced to babies, providing calcium, protein, and vitamins. Babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old, including hard cheeses such as mild cheddar, cottage cheese, and cream cheese. However, babies should not eat mould-ripened soft cheeses, such as brie or camembert, due to the risk of listeria bacteria.
In summary, while butter and cheese can offer some nutritional benefits to babies, they should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The potential for dairy allergies or lactose intolerance is an important consideration, and parents should consult healthcare professionals if they have any concerns before introducing these foods to their baby's diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Most babies can be offered cheese as soon as they start chewing or gumming different foods, which is usually around 6 to 9 months. However, some experts suggest waiting until the baby is eight months old or even a year old, as milk proteins present in cheese are known to cause stomach issues in babies younger than a year old. If your baby has allergies to dairy products, eczema or asthma, talk to your paediatrician before introducing cheese.
Cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, vitamin D and vitamin B12, which are important for the development of healthy teeth and bones. Cheese is also loaded with calories that will keep your baby supplied with energy throughout the day.
Butter is safe for babies, and can contribute to their healthy development. It is a good source of vitamins A, D, E, B12 and K2. However, butter is high in calories and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation.
