Introducing Cheese To Your 7-Month-Old: The Best Varieties

When introducing a baby to solid foods, it is recommended to start with purees of single fruits and vegetables. Once they are used to chewing or gumming other solid foods, usually around 6 to 9 months, you can start offering cheese. The best types of cheese for early eaters are soft cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, mild goat cheese, and other soft cheeses. Harder cheeses like cheddar can be introduced once your baby is a more experienced chewer.

When to introduce cheese to babies

Cheese is a great source of calcium and protein for babies and can be introduced when they start eating solids, usually around 6 months of age. However, as cheese is a common allergen, it is recommended to introduce it after your baby has tried and tolerated several less-allergenic foods, like fruits, vegetables, or baby cereal.

When introducing cheese to your baby, it is important to choose pasteurized, full-fat cheese to optimize safety and nutritional value. Soft, lower-sodium cheeses such as ricotta, cottage cheese, or fresh mozzarella are ideal for babies starting solids. Serve the cheese in small amounts (0.5 to 1 oz) to keep sodium intake in check.

As your baby gets older, you can introduce firmer or more flavorful cheeses, such as mild cheddar or Swiss. It is important to avoid giving your baby chunks of hard cheese as they can pose a choking hazard. Instead, offer shredded cheese, or cut the cheese into small, bite-sized cubes or strips.

If your baby has chronic eczema or a food allergy, it is important to talk to their doctor before giving them cheese, as it contains milk protein, which can cause allergies. Additionally, if your baby experiences any signs of a food allergy, such as hives, itchy skin rashes, swelling, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, let their doctor know.

Types of cheese to avoid

When introducing cheese to a 7-month-old baby, it is important to ensure that the cheese is pasteurized to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. It is also crucial to avoid cheeses with high sodium content (more than 100 mg per serving) until after 12 months of age. This includes cheeses like American cheese and parmesan cheese. These high-sodium cheeses can be introduced in small amounts as part of a balanced diet, but they should be limited.

In addition, it is recommended to avoid processed cheeses, as they often contain extremely high amounts of salt and added ingredients such as preservatives that are not suitable for babies. Examples of processed cheeses to avoid include jar cheese (Cheez Whiz), cheese and cracker snack packs, cheese in squeeze bottles or cans, and individually wrapped cheese slices.

Unpasteurized or raw cheese is also not recommended for babies due to the risk of foodborne illness, especially from bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria. This includes soft, mould-ripened cheeses like brie or camembert, ripened goat's milk cheese, and soft blue-veined cheese like roquefort.

It is important to introduce cheese to babies in a safe manner to prevent choking hazards. Avoid offering large chunks or cubes of cheese, and opt for thinly sliced or grated cheese instead.

How to prepare cheese for babies

When to Introduce Cheese

Cheese can be introduced to babies when they are ready to start solids, which is usually around 6 months of age. However, it is important to ensure that your baby is showing all the signs of readiness and is developmentally ready to handle solids.

Types of Cheese to Choose

When selecting cheese for your baby, opt for pasteurized, full-fat cheeses made with whole milk. Soft cheeses similar in texture to thick baby foods, such as ricotta, blended cottage cheese, or farmer's cheese, are ideal for younger babies. For older babies who are ready for finger foods, soft goat or feta cheese crumbles and soft shredded cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar are good options. It is recommended to avoid highly processed cheeses, as they tend to be high in sodium and contain preservatives.

How to Serve Cheese to Babies

To reduce the risk of choking, it is important to cut or shred the cheese into small pieces or spread it thinly. Here are some safe ways to offer cheese to your baby:

• Shred or grate the cheese and pile it into a haystack for your baby to pick up easily.
• Offer cheese spreads, such as labneh or cottage cheese, on toast, rice rusks, or a spoon.
• Melt cheese thinly atop vegetables, eggs, toast, or other foods.
• Sprinkle or grate shredded cheese over pasta dishes.
• Mix shredded cheese into mashed vegetables, pasta, eggs, or grains.
• Cut cheese into thin strips or small pieces for easy chewing.
• Offer cheese as finger foods, such as soft cheese crumbles or shredded cheese, once your baby is ready.

Amount of Cheese to Offer

It is recommended to start with a small amount of cheese, such as 1-2 ounces per day for babies between 6 and 8 months old, and gradually increase the amount as they get older.

Precautions and Allergy Concerns

Keep in mind that cheese is a common choking hazard for babies, so avoid giving them large chunks or cubes of hard cheese. Additionally, watch for signs of dairy intolerance or milk allergy, as cow's milk allergy is common in babies and young children. Symptoms of intolerance may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, or gas. In the case of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention, especially if your child exhibits signs of anaphylaxis, such as hives, wheezing, or vomiting.

Nutritional benefits of cheese for babies

Cheese is a nutritious food to offer your baby. It is a good source of protein and calcium and also contains phosphorus and vitamins B12 and A. Full-fat cottage cheese, for example, provides 12 grams of protein, 87 milligrams of calcium, 167 milligrams of phosphorus, and 10.2 micrograms of selenium. It also gives your baby a boost of vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, as well as a dose of healthy fats.

Cheese is an excellent source of protein for children. Just one ounce of cheddar cheese contains approximately eight grams of protein. Protein is crucial for the growth and development of children. It aids in building and repairing various body tissues, including bones, muscles, and organs.

Cheese is also a rich source of calcium for children. One ounce of cheddar cheese contains about 200 milligrams of calcium. Calcium is essential for the health of children’s bones and teeth. It helps strengthen bones and prevents issues like fractures and cavities.

In addition, cheese provides valuable vitamins like B12, A, and K, which are beneficial for children. Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, vitamin A supports eye health, and vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting.

Cheese can be a nutritious addition to your baby’s diet when consumed in moderation, as it’s energy-rich and high in fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Precautions when giving cheese to babies

Cheese is a nutritious food to offer your baby, but there are some precautions to take when doing so. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the cheese is pasteurized to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. Unpasteurized cheeses can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause food poisoning, which is particularly dangerous for young children as their immune systems are not yet fully developed.

Secondly, when introducing cheese to your baby, it is crucial to be mindful of choking hazards. Avoid giving your baby large chunks of cheese, as they can be a choking hazard. Instead, offer shredded, grated, or thinly sliced cheese. Thick melted cheese can also pose a choking risk, so it is recommended to offer thinly spread layers of melted cheese.

Thirdly, milk allergy and milk intolerance are common in babies and young children, so it is important to introduce cheese gradually and monitor for any signs of intolerance or allergic reaction. Symptoms of intolerance include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, bloating, and gas. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe, with the most severe being anaphylaxis, which requires immediate emergency medical attention. Signs of anaphylaxis include hives, wheezing, vomiting, constricted airways, and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Lastly, while cheese is a healthy source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients for babies, it is important to offer it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Cheese can be high in sodium, and consuming too much can lead to issues with digestion and constipation. It is recommended to choose lower-sodium cheese options for babies and to offer a variety of other nutritious foods alongside cheese.

Frequently asked questions