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Lassi for Babies: When and How to Serve It Safely

A yogurt-based drink from South Asia, thin and tangy. Fine for most babies from around 9 months if you keep it plain, unsweetened, and served in an open cup, not a bottle.

When to introduce
Around 9 months
Common allergen?
Yes (milk)
Texture
Thin, drinkable liquid
Key nutrients
Protein, calcium, live cultures

When can babies eat lassi?

Lassi is a blended yogurt drink from South Asia, sometimes plain and salty, sometimes sweet or fruity. Because it is made from yogurt, a plain unsweetened version is fine for most babies from around 9 months. Offer it in small amounts from an open or straw cup rather than a bottle, and skip the sugar and sweet mango versions for now.

⚠️ Lassi is yogurt-based, so it contains milk. Offer it plain and unsweetened from an open or straw cup, not as a bottle or a sweet drink. Sweetened and mango lassi are high in sugar and are not a good regular drink for a baby.

How to prepare lassi for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées, by age

9 monthsBlend plain unsweetened yogurt with a little water until pourable, and offer a small amount in an open or straw cup. No added sugar.
12 monthsOffer a small cup of plain lassi, optionally with a pinch of cumin for a savory flavor, still unsweetened.
12 months+Serve plain or lightly spiced lassi in a cup as an occasional drink, keeping sweet and mango versions to a rare treat.

Is lassi safe? Choking & prep

Lassi is a thin liquid, so it is not a choking risk, but how you serve it matters. Offer it from an open cup or straw cup rather than a bottle, and keep the portions small so it does not crowd out milk feeds or become a habit of drinking large sweet volumes. Make it plain and unsweetened: skip added sugar, honey (never before 12 months), and heavily sweetened mango or fruit-syrup versions. Because lassi is made from yogurt it contains milk, one of the top 9 allergens, so if your baby has not had yogurt or other dairy yet, introduce plain yogurt on its own first and watch for any reaction before offering lassi. Keep salted (namkeen) versions very lightly salted or unsalted, since babies under 1 need very little sodium. Lassi is a food and an occasional drink, not a replacement for breast milk or formula, which stay the main drink in the first year.

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Nutrition

Plain lassi is essentially thinned yogurt, so it provides protein, calcium, and the live cultures found in yogurt. A salted, spiced lassi with cumin is a savory, low-sugar option, while sweetened and fruit lassi carry a lot of added sugar. The plain, unsweetened version is the one to reach for.

Goes well with

Rice · Roti · Dal · Khichdi

Storage & freezing

Lassi is best made fresh and served right away. Refrigerate any leftover plain lassi in a covered container and use it within a day, then stir or shake before serving, as it separates. Do not leave it out at room temperature, since it is a dairy drink and spoils quickly.

More dairy foods to explore

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ManchegoAround 6 months
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MascarponeAround 6 months
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Monterey jackAround 6 months
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MozzarellaAround 9 months
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MuensterAround 6 months
🧀
PaneerAround 6 months

Introducing this allergen

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

When can babies have lassi?

From around 9 months, once your baby has had plain yogurt without a reaction. Keep it plain and unsweetened, and serve it in an open or straw cup rather than a bottle.

Is sweet or mango lassi okay for a baby?

It is best saved for later or kept to a rare treat. Sweetened and mango lassi are high in added sugar, which babies do not need, so plain or lightly cumin-spiced lassi is the better choice.

Can lassi replace a milk feed?

No. Breast milk or formula stays the main drink in the first year. Lassi is a food you offer alongside meals in small amounts, not a substitute for a feed.

My baby has a milk allergy. Can they have lassi?

No. Lassi is made from yogurt, which is dairy, so it contains milk protein. A baby with a cow's milk allergy should avoid it unless your allergist advises otherwise.

Sources

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Last updated July 2026. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.

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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