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Cheese for Babies: When and How to Introduce It

A flavor-packed dairy food babies tend to adore. Go pasteurised, full-fat, and easy on the salt, and cheese earns its place fast.

When to introduce: Around 6 months
Common allergen?: Yes — milk
Texture: Grated, melted, or soft
Key nutrients: Calcium, protein, fat

When can babies eat cheese?

Cheese joins the party around 6 months as a dairy food, well before cow's milk as a main drink. Reach for pasteurised, full-fat, milder options, and go easy on the saltier cheeses. Being a milk food, it also counts as an allergen introduction.

How to prepare cheese, by age

6 monthsGrated or melted mild cheese stirred into vegetables or eggs, or cream cheese spread thinly on toast strips.

9 monthsGrated cheese, or small soft pieces of mild cheese.

12 months+Cheese in more family meals, keeping an eye on salt.

Is cheese safe? Choking & prep

Choose pasteurised cheese and avoid unpasteurised or soft mould-ripened cheeses (like brie) for babies. Cheese can be salty, so keep portions modest. Firm cheese cubes and sticks are a choking shape, so grate or slice thin.

Nutrition

Cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, and fat for growth. As a milk food, it also counts toward introducing the dairy allergen.

Goes well with

Egg · Broccoli · Potato · Pasta

Storage & freezing

Keep refrigerated and well wrapped. Hard cheese can be frozen grated, though the texture changes.

Introducing this allergen

Frequently asked questions

When can babies have cheese?

Around 6 months. Choose pasteurised, full-fat, milder cheese, grated or melted at first.

What cheese is best for babies?

Pasteurised, full-fat, lower-salt, mild cheeses. Avoid unpasteurised and soft mould-ripened cheeses like brie.

Is cheese a common allergen?

Yes. Cheese is dairy, and milk is one of the big-9 allergens. Introduce it and watch for reaction signs.

Can babies have cheese if they are not on cow's milk yet?

Usually yes. Cheese and yogurt are commonly given before cow's milk as a main drink. If your baby has a diagnosed milk allergy, follow your medical team's advice instead.

Sources

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How we write these: from widely published pediatric guidance (AAP, NIAID 2017 guidelines, the LEAP study), with sources cited on every page. Pending review by a pediatric professional.

This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.

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