Cheese For Babies: Which Types Are Safe?

Cheese is a great source of calcium and protein, and it can be introduced to babies around six months of age when they start eating solids. However, it is important to choose pasteurized, full-fat cheese to optimize nutritional value and minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. Babies should be served small amounts of cheese to keep sodium levels in check, and lower-sodium options such as ricotta, cottage cheese, or fresh mozzarella are recommended. While cheese is a nutritious and delicious addition to a baby's diet, it is important to introduce it gradually and watch for any signs of cow's milk allergy or lactose intolerance.

What kind of cheese is safe for babies?

Pasteurised vs unpasteurised

When introducing cheese to babies, it is important to ensure that the cheese is pasteurized to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. Cheese can be introduced as soon as the baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Babies can eat pasteurized full-fat cheese from 6 months old. This includes hard cheeses, such as mild cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, and cream cheese.

Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that kills bacteria that can cause food poisoning. In the cheese-making process, milk is heated to a high temperature to kill potentially harmful bacteria. The exact temperature varies, but it is typically around 65° C (149° F) for pasteurized cheese and 30° C (86° F) for unpasteurized cheese.

Unpasteurized cheese is made and sold in some countries, including the US and Canada. However, it is important to note that unpasteurized cheese carries a higher risk of foodborne illnesses, especially for infants and young children. The FDA, CDC, and other US agencies warn that raw milk is especially unsafe for infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Listeria, a dangerous bacteria, can be present in unpasteurized cheese, and it can survive for up to 60 days. After this period, it is believed that the lengthened aging process removes the dangers of consuming unpasteurized cheese.

While some people prefer the taste of unpasteurized cheese, it is important to consider the potential health risks associated with it. Eating pasteurized cheese reduces the possibility of foodborne illnesses. However, it is still possible for pasteurized cheese to contain contaminants or germs that can cause illness.

Soft vs hard cheeses

When introducing cheese to your baby, it is important to opt for pasteurized and low-sodium options. Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, and mascarpone are suitable for babies as they are mild, lower in sodium, and have a creamy texture that is easy for babies to eat. Pasteurized semi-firm cheeses like Swiss cheese can also be offered in long, flat pieces for babies to grab and munch on. However, it is important to grate or shred the cheese thinly and avoid serving large chunks or cubes as they pose a choking hazard.

On the other hand, hard cheeses like mild cheddar, processed cheese slices, and cheese spreads are recommended for babies over 12 months old due to their higher sodium content. It is best to avoid unpasteurized hard cheeses, as they may contain harmful bacteria such as listeria, which can cause foodborne illnesses. Examples of unpasteurized hard cheeses to avoid include mould-ripened soft cheeses like brie or camembert, blue-veined cheese like roquefort, and ripened goat's milk cheese.

Overall, when introducing cheese to your baby, it is crucial to start with small amounts, watch for allergies, and consult with your pediatrician. Cheese can be a nutritious addition to your baby's diet, providing protein, fat, calcium, and other essential nutrients, but it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Nutritional value

Cheese is a nutrient-dense food that can be a healthy and delicious addition to a baby's diet. It contains important nutrients that support a baby's energy needs, growth, and development.

Since cheese is made from milk, it contains many of the same nutrients. The nutritional value of cheese varies depending on the type, but most cheeses are a rich source of:

• Protein and Fat: These provide babies with a good source of energy and support overall growth.
• Calcium and Vitamin D: These are important for bone health, muscle function, and immune health.
• Vitamin B12: This helps support healthy blood cell and nervous system development.
• Minerals: Cheese is also a good source of key minerals such as phosphorus, selenium, and riboflavin.
• Vitamins: Cheese contains vitamins A and B, which help with taste perception, vision, and immunity.
• Healthy Fats: Cheese provides healthy fats that are important for a baby's overall health.

While cheese can be high in sodium, an occasional taste is fine as part of a balanced diet. It is recommended to choose lower-sodium cheeses such as ricotta, parmesan, fresh mozzarella, and Monterey Jack, and to serve cheese in small amounts to keep sodium intake in check.

Full-fat cheeses are also preferable, as babies under the age of 2 need the fat to help their bodies and brains grow.

Choking hazards

Cheese is a nutritious food to offer your baby, but it is important to be mindful of choking hazards. Chunks of cheese, cheese cubes, and gooey, melted cheese can increase the risk of choking and should be avoided. Instead, cheese should be shredded, thinly sliced, grated, or melted to reduce the risk of choking. It is also important to supervise your child when they are eating and to ensure they are sitting upright during mealtimes.

When preparing cheese for a 6-month-old baby, it is recommended to stick with very soft cheeses in pieces or clumps that they can easily grab. Thin strips of mozzarella or small amounts of ricotta or cottage cheese are good options. Once your baby has developed their pincer grasp, you can offer bite-sized pieces of flat slices of pasteurized semi-firm cheese.

For 9-month-old babies, slightly firmer cheeses such as mild cheddar or Swiss can be offered in diced cubes, thin strips, or grated form. These options provide a way for your baby to practice their pincer grasp.

For 12-month-olds and older, small cheese cubes, thin cheese strips, or grated cheese are still suitable. Harder cheeses such as Parmesan can also be introduced in thin pieces as your baby's chewing skills improve. However, it is important to continue avoiding chunks of hard cheese to minimize the choking risk.

Additionally, certain types of cheese should be avoided due to food safety concerns. Soft, aged, or mold-ripened cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, and bacteria-ripened goat cheese, may contain Listeria, a harmful bacterium that can cause food poisoning. Unpasteurized cheeses also pose a risk of foodborne illnesses, so it is important to choose pasteurized cheeses.

Allergies and intolerances

Allergies

Food allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to specific foods. There are two types of food allergy reactions: immediate and delayed. Immediate reactions are also called IgE-mediated allergies, where the baby's immune system creates specific IgE antibodies to a certain food. Symptoms of an immediate reaction can include:

• Itching or inflammation
• Hives/nettle rash
• Swelling, usually around the lips, face, and eyes
• Eczema
• Itchy mouth
• Nausea
• Colicky tummy pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reflux
• Loose or frequent stools
• Blood or mucus in the stool
• Infantile colic
• Food refusal or aversion
• Constipation
• Inflammation in the nappy area
• Cough, chest tightness, wheeze, noisy breathing, or trouble breathing
• Itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion

Delayed reactions are called non-IgE-mediated allergies, and they are believed to be regulated by immune cells. Symptoms of a delayed reaction can include:

• Reduced growth, along with tummy symptoms
• Lethargy

The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include constricted airways, a swollen throat, a significant drop in blood pressure, and collapse, with or without a rash.

Intolerances

Food intolerances are different from allergies. Intolerances occur when a person has difficulty digesting certain foods, often due to the lack of a particular enzyme. Food intolerances can cause problems such as bloating and tummy pain, usually within a few hours of consuming the food. Lactose intolerance is a common example, where the body is unable to produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.

Cheese Allergies and Intolerances

Cheese is often made from cow's milk, which is a common allergen and a common cause of food allergies in babies and young children. Cheese can, therefore, be a key culprit when it comes to allergies and intolerances. If a baby is allergic to cheese, they are likely to be allergic to all dairy products. Babies can also be allergic to dairy products from other ruminants, such as buffalo, goat, and sheep.

Lactose intolerance is also relevant when it comes to cheese. While aged cheeses have lower lactose content and may be better tolerated, they also generally contain histamines, which may cause rashes in sensitive children.

Frequently asked questions