Many people love cheese and believe that cheese makes their food taste better. It is easy to eat and digest and quite nutritious. Moreover, cheese is a popular snack choice for many parents due to its availability and taste. But is cheese good for babies? Read this post to know more about the benefits and possible side effects of cheese for children. Also, learn about the right age and quantity and some fun cheese recipes you can try at home.
Is Cheese Good For Babies?
Cheese can be a part of healthy, balanced diet for babies and young children as it can provide important nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins (1). Cheese has essential micronutrients, vitamins A, D, B12, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus(2). These nutrients can support the nutritional needs of a growing baby.
When Can Babies Eat Cheese?
There is no definite recommended age when babies can begin eating cheese. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared cheese to be among the first foods for a baby at the age of six months (3). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends including cheese in a baby’s diet around the age of seven to eight months (4)(5). Speak to your pediatrician before feeding cheese to the baby, especially if you have a family history of dairy allergy or if the baby has any other allergic condition like eczema or asthma. Start with a small thin strip of cheese when you feed it to your baby for the first time. If cheese suits the baby, then increase the quantity gradually. Cheese made from unpasteurized milk should be avoided before your baby turns 12 months as these cheese types could contain the listeria bacteria (6).
How Much Cheese Can Babies Eat?
There is no fixed quantity of cheese that a baby should eat. The amount of cheese can vary as per the baby’s age. According to AAP, up to one-fourth (quarter) cup of diced cheese a day can make an ideal snack for babies between the ages of 8-12 months (5). The quantity may be increased to half a cup after the completion of 12 months (7). Do note a baby can eat a quantity less than the recommended one. Also, older babies and toddlers may be able to eat a bit of extra cheese. Keep cheese a part of healthy balanced diet of the child and do not overfeed.
Benefits Of Cheese
Cheese is made from milk, and thus contains essential nutrients. In spite of its benefits, not all cheese is the same, and it is good to know how to pick cheese for babies. Children above the age of 12 months can eat a wider variety of cheese. You may start by introducing a small quantity of cheese and seeing if the toddler tolerates it. If the toddler enjoys the cheese and the body accepts it, then you can consider making the cheese a part of the child’s diet. If you have any doubt about introducing new foods or if your toddler has allergies, or if your child always displays intolerance towards new foods, then consult a pediatrician before introducing a new type of cheese. Cheese is of several varieties, and it is good to know the ones that a baby can eat.
Cheese Varieties For Babies
Before you pick cheese for your baby, it is essential to know that there are two types of cheese available in the market, namely natural cheese and processed cheese. Natural cheese is attained through natural fermentation of milk. Processed cheese contains natural cheese, salt, emulsifiers, added flavors, and preservatives in it. Natural cheese is good for babies due to the absence of any additives. Processed cheese is high in sodium content.
How To Buy Cheese For Babies?
Keep the following checklist in mind while selecting cheese for babies:
How To Introduce Cheese To A Baby?
It is generally good to introduce cheese to a baby when they are already eating other finger foods. The following are some tips for adding cheese to a baby’s diet: It essential to observe caution while introducing cheese to the baby.
Precautions To Take While Giving Cheese To Baby
Follow the below precautions to rule out any side effects of eating cheese:
Consult your pediatrician before you start cheese for your baby if they have shown symptoms of milk allergy or lactose intolerance in the past. Wait for three to five days after introducing cheese for the first time and do not introduce any new food during this period. It will help you pick any signs of allergy or intolerance. If you notice any symptoms of allergy, then consult a doctor immediately. The common allergy symptoms are hives, upset stomach, and vomiting. Severe cases could cause anaphylaxis, a situation where breathing is impaired (13).
How To Store Cheese?
Cheese stays best when stored whole. So, if you are buying a small piece of cheese, it’s good to eat it as soon as possible. However, larger pieces would need to be stored. The following are some tips for the storage of cheese. An atmosphere that is too dry or too moist leads to undesirable changes in the cheese. For example, excessive mold growth might pave way for the growth of harmful bacteria, such as listeria, brucella, salmonella, and E. coli, leading to health implications.
Cheese Recipes For Babies
The recipes shared below range from being basic to advanced. It will help you provide a variety of cheese dishes to your baby.
1. Cheese as topping
The simplest way to incorporate cheese to your baby’s diet is to use it as a topping over biscuits, crackers, bread, or pancake. A perfect idea for an evening snack for babies.
2. Eggplant and tomato puree with parmesan and mozzarella cheese
Moving ahead than topping, is the incorporation of cheese into vegetable purees. It can make a soulful midday meal for your baby, who is not yet ready to eat grains. You will need:
300g or 10oz eggplant 2 tomatoes 1 potato (small) 30g mozzarella 2tsp olive oil Parmesan cheese (grated, for serving)
How to:
3. Lentil and vegetable soup with cheese
This is a step towards advance foods that you give to your baby. This delectable recipe is a perfect light dinner for your baby since it is healthy and delicious. You will need:
1 chopped onion 1 chopped garlic 2 celery stalks 1 cup corn kernels 2 chopped potatoes 4 chopped carrots 70g or 2.4oz red lentils 500ml or 17fl.oz fresh vegetable stock 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp cream cheese Handful of chopped fresh coriander
How to:
4. Sweet potato and cheese mash
Your baby will likely love the smooth texture of this preparation. It can be a good lunch-time option. You will need:
2 sweet potatoes (medium-sized each) 1 carrot (large) 25g or 0.8oz Parmesan cheese 30g or 1oz cottage cheese
How to:
5. Mini grilled cottage and cheddar cheese toast
This recipe is ideal for toddlers. This preparation can be served for breakfast as it has an ideal balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats, which can keep the baby going throughout the day. You will need:
2 slices of brown bread 2 tsp unsalted butter 5 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded cottage cheese
How to:
6. Cheese omelet
Once your baby gets accustomed to cheese, you can start adding it to different food items like eggs. This recipe makes a healthy choice for finger food. You will need:
1 organic egg 1 tsp milk 1 tbsp Mascarpone cheese 1 tsp virgin olive oil
How to:
7. Cheesy cottage cheese pasta
This delicious recipe is ideal for older toddlers who are likely to eat almost everything that adults eat. You will need:
1 cup cooked pasta ½ cup cooked carrots ½ cup cooked capsicum 1 chopped onion (small) 1 chopped tomato (medium) 30g or 1 oz shredded cottage cheese 1 tbsp oil 10g or 0.35 oz grated Parmesan cheese Salt (according to taste)
How to:
References:
title: “Cheese For Babies When To Introduce Benefits And Recipes” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-07” author: “Tricia Velarde”
Many people love cheese and believe that cheese makes their food taste better. It is easy to eat and digest and quite nutritious. Moreover, cheese is a popular snack choice for many parents due to its availability and taste. But is cheese good for babies? Read this post to know more about the benefits and possible side effects of cheese for children. Also, learn about the right age and quantity and some fun cheese recipes you can try at home.
Is Cheese Good For Babies?
Cheese can be a part of healthy, balanced diet for babies and young children as it can provide important nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins (1). Cheese has essential micronutrients, vitamins A, D, B12, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus(2). These nutrients can support the nutritional needs of a growing baby.
When Can Babies Eat Cheese?
There is no definite recommended age when babies can begin eating cheese. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared cheese to be among the first foods for a baby at the age of six months (3). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends including cheese in a baby’s diet around the age of seven to eight months (4)(5). Speak to your pediatrician before feeding cheese to the baby, especially if you have a family history of dairy allergy or if the baby has any other allergic condition like eczema or asthma. Start with a small thin strip of cheese when you feed it to your baby for the first time. If cheese suits the baby, then increase the quantity gradually. Cheese made from unpasteurized milk should be avoided before your baby turns 12 months as these cheese types could contain the listeria bacteria (6).
How Much Cheese Can Babies Eat?
There is no fixed quantity of cheese that a baby should eat. The amount of cheese can vary as per the baby’s age. According to AAP, up to one-fourth (quarter) cup of diced cheese a day can make an ideal snack for babies between the ages of 8-12 months (5). The quantity may be increased to half a cup after the completion of 12 months (7). Do note a baby can eat a quantity less than the recommended one. Also, older babies and toddlers may be able to eat a bit of extra cheese. Keep cheese a part of healthy balanced diet of the child and do not overfeed.
Benefits Of Cheese
Cheese is made from milk, and thus contains essential nutrients. In spite of its benefits, not all cheese is the same, and it is good to know how to pick cheese for babies. Children above the age of 12 months can eat a wider variety of cheese. You may start by introducing a small quantity of cheese and seeing if the toddler tolerates it. If the toddler enjoys the cheese and the body accepts it, then you can consider making the cheese a part of the child’s diet. If you have any doubt about introducing new foods or if your toddler has allergies, or if your child always displays intolerance towards new foods, then consult a pediatrician before introducing a new type of cheese. Cheese is of several varieties, and it is good to know the ones that a baby can eat.
Cheese Varieties For Babies
Before you pick cheese for your baby, it is essential to know that there are two types of cheese available in the market, namely natural cheese and processed cheese. Natural cheese is attained through natural fermentation of milk. Processed cheese contains natural cheese, salt, emulsifiers, added flavors, and preservatives in it. Natural cheese is good for babies due to the absence of any additives. Processed cheese is high in sodium content.
How To Buy Cheese For Babies?
Keep the following checklist in mind while selecting cheese for babies:
How To Introduce Cheese To A Baby?
It is generally good to introduce cheese to a baby when they are already eating other finger foods. The following are some tips for adding cheese to a baby’s diet: It essential to observe caution while introducing cheese to the baby.
Precautions To Take While Giving Cheese To Baby
Follow the below precautions to rule out any side effects of eating cheese:
Consult your pediatrician before you start cheese for your baby if they have shown symptoms of milk allergy or lactose intolerance in the past. Wait for three to five days after introducing cheese for the first time and do not introduce any new food during this period. It will help you pick any signs of allergy or intolerance. If you notice any symptoms of allergy, then consult a doctor immediately. The common allergy symptoms are hives, upset stomach, and vomiting. Severe cases could cause anaphylaxis, a situation where breathing is impaired (13).
How To Store Cheese?
Cheese stays best when stored whole. So, if you are buying a small piece of cheese, it’s good to eat it as soon as possible. However, larger pieces would need to be stored. The following are some tips for the storage of cheese. An atmosphere that is too dry or too moist leads to undesirable changes in the cheese. For example, excessive mold growth might pave way for the growth of harmful bacteria, such as listeria, brucella, salmonella, and E. coli, leading to health implications.
Cheese Recipes For Babies
The recipes shared below range from being basic to advanced. It will help you provide a variety of cheese dishes to your baby.
1. Cheese as topping
The simplest way to incorporate cheese to your baby’s diet is to use it as a topping over biscuits, crackers, bread, or pancake. A perfect idea for an evening snack for babies.
2. Eggplant and tomato puree with parmesan and mozzarella cheese
Moving ahead than topping, is the incorporation of cheese into vegetable purees. It can make a soulful midday meal for your baby, who is not yet ready to eat grains. You will need:
300g or 10oz eggplant 2 tomatoes 1 potato (small) 30g mozzarella 2tsp olive oil Parmesan cheese (grated, for serving)
How to:
3. Lentil and vegetable soup with cheese
This is a step towards advance foods that you give to your baby. This delectable recipe is a perfect light dinner for your baby since it is healthy and delicious. You will need:
1 chopped onion 1 chopped garlic 2 celery stalks 1 cup corn kernels 2 chopped potatoes 4 chopped carrots 70g or 2.4oz red lentils 500ml or 17fl.oz fresh vegetable stock 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp cream cheese Handful of chopped fresh coriander
How to:
4. Sweet potato and cheese mash
Your baby will likely love the smooth texture of this preparation. It can be a good lunch-time option. You will need:
2 sweet potatoes (medium-sized each) 1 carrot (large) 25g or 0.8oz Parmesan cheese 30g or 1oz cottage cheese
How to:
5. Mini grilled cottage and cheddar cheese toast
This recipe is ideal for toddlers. This preparation can be served for breakfast as it has an ideal balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats, which can keep the baby going throughout the day. You will need:
2 slices of brown bread 2 tsp unsalted butter 5 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded cottage cheese
How to:
6. Cheese omelet
Once your baby gets accustomed to cheese, you can start adding it to different food items like eggs. This recipe makes a healthy choice for finger food. You will need:
1 organic egg 1 tsp milk 1 tbsp Mascarpone cheese 1 tsp virgin olive oil
How to:
7. Cheesy cottage cheese pasta
This delicious recipe is ideal for older toddlers who are likely to eat almost everything that adults eat. You will need:
1 cup cooked pasta ½ cup cooked carrots ½ cup cooked capsicum 1 chopped onion (small) 1 chopped tomato (medium) 30g or 1 oz shredded cottage cheese 1 tbsp oil 10g or 0.35 oz grated Parmesan cheese Salt (according to taste)
How to:
