Can babies eat feta?
Last updated October 2026
Babies ready for solids, usually around six months, may try a little feta made from pasteurized milk, finely crumbled into soft food. Feta is often brined and salty, so compare the label with a lower-salt cheese rather than using it as an everyday staple. Milk is an allergen; rinsing or soaking feta does not reliably make it low in salt.
When is feta appropriate?
From around six months, babies who are developmentally ready for solids may have pasteurized full-fat cheese. NHS guidance recommends choosing lower-salt varieties; feta is commonly much saltier than plain cottage cheese or cream cheese. Check the label for pasteurization and sodium rather than relying on a cheese name.
Feta is made with milk, a common allergen. Offer a small amount in a manageable texture; if your child has a known milk allergy, follow their clinician's advice. There is no validated home rinsing duration that reliably makes brined feta low in salt.
Serving a small amount of feta
If you choose feta, use a little soft, finely crumbled pasteurized cheese mixed into mashed vegetables, tender grains or another familiar soft food. Avoid serving firm cubes or large chunks. Compare sodium on the product label and do not add extra salt to the dish.
For regular meals, compare actual labels for plain yogurt or pasteurized alternatives. Some markets label salt per 100 g and others list sodium: compare matching units, not just the smaller number. Cottage and cream cheese vary by brand too. No universal teaspoon quantity makes a high-salt feta suitable for every baby or every meal.
What to check
Use cheese made from pasteurized milk; check the label and avoid products of uncertain origin.
Compare salt or sodium per 100 g across products; rinsing is not a dependable low-salt treatment.
Crumble into soft food, not large firm cubes, and supervise seated eating.
If a baby has a diagnosed milk allergy, do not introduce feta without their clinical allergy plan.
What feta contributes
Feta supplies calcium and protein, but the amount of each varies by product and serving.
Its salt content is the reason to use it sparingly rather than as an everyday infant cheese.
Milk is an allergen; check every product's ingredients.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is feta too salty for babies?
Feta is commonly salty, but sodium also varies among other cheeses, including cottage cheese. Compare the salt or sodium value per 100 g on the actual label and use only a little if you offer it. Rinsing or soaking cannot be relied upon to make it low in sodium.
Can a six-month-old have feta?
A baby ready for solids can have pasteurized cheese, but feta's sodium means it is best used sparingly. NHS guidance lists pasteurized full-fat cheese among foods that may be introduced from around six months. Lower-salt varieties are more suitable for routine meals.
What if my baby has a cow's milk allergy?
Feta contains milk protein. A child with a diagnosed cow's milk allergy should follow their clinical allergy plan rather than trying feta as an ordinary new food.
Sources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
- ●NHS - Foods to Avoid Giving Babies NHS
- ●NHS - Your Baby's First Solid Foods NHS
- ●AAP - Starting Solid Foods AAP
