When can babies have yogurt and cheese?
Here is the part that surprises a lot of parents: yogurt and cheese are fine from around 6 months, even though cow's milk as a main drink waits until the first birthday. Dairy foods and the milk drink follow different timelines.
Why the timing is different from cow's milk
Cow's milk is low in iron. Given as a main drink before 12 months, it can crowd out breast milk or formula and drag down a baby's iron levels. Yogurt and cheese are eaten in much smaller amounts as part of a meal, not relied on for the bulk of nutrition, so they are perfectly good from around 6 months. For the drink itself, see when babies can have cow's milk.
Choosing a yogurt
Go for plain, full-fat, pasteurized yogurt. Babies need the fat for energy and brain development, and plain keeps you clear of the added sugar packed into most flavored and "kids" yogurts. Want it sweeter? Stir in mashed banana, berries, or applesauce yourself.
Choosing a cheese
Full-fat pasteurized cheeses like mild cheddar are great, offered grated, in small soft strips, or melted into food. A few to avoid or save for later:
- Mould-ripened soft cheeses (brie, camembert) and blue cheeses, because of a small listeria risk, unless thoroughly cooked.
- Unpasteurized cheeses of any kind, for the same reason.
- Very salty cheeses in large amounts. Cheese counts toward your baby's low salt budget, so keep portions small. See salt for babies.
Milk is still a top allergen
Cow's milk is one of the major food allergens, so when you first offer yogurt or cheese, introduce it the same careful way as any allergen: a small amount, early in the day, and watch for a reaction. Our milk allergen guide walks through it, and food allergy signs covers what to look for.
Related reading
See when babies can have cow's milk, introducing milk, and best first foods for babies.
Frequently asked questions
When can babies have yogurt and cheese?
Dairy foods like plain full-fat yogurt and cheese are fine from around 6 months, when your baby starts solids. This is different from cow’s milk as a main drink, which waits until 12 months. Choose pasteurized, full-fat, unsweetened options.
Why are yogurt and cheese okay at 6 months but not cow’s milk as a drink?
Cow’s milk is low in iron and, when given as a main drink before 12 months, can crowd out breast milk or formula and affect iron levels. Yogurt and cheese are eaten in much smaller amounts as foods, not relied on for the bulk of nutrition, so they are fine from around 6 months.
What kind of yogurt is best for babies?
Plain, full-fat, pasteurized yogurt is ideal. Babies need the fat for energy and brain development, and plain avoids the added sugar in flavored yogurts. You can stir in mashed fruit for sweetness. Skip low-fat and sugary varieties.
Which cheeses should babies avoid?
Avoid mould-ripened soft cheeses like brie and camembert, blue cheeses, and any unpasteurized cheese, because of the small listeria risk, unless they are thoroughly cooked. Also go easy on very salty cheeses. Full-fat pasteurized cheeses like mild cheddar are good choices.
Track it in Yummy Yucky
Log first tries, get nudged through the 3-day allergen watch, and keep every bite in one place you can share with your pediatrician.
Start tracking for freeHow 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.
Some links in our guides are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only suggest things we'd actually use, and it never changes our guidance.