Can babies have Greek yogurt?
From around 6 months, yes, as one food among many. Choose plain yogurt made from pasteurised milk, full-fat rather than low-fat, with no added sugar or sweeteners. The NHS says children under 2 need the vitamins and extra energy found in full-fat dairy, and advises giving babies no added sugar.
Yogurt is eaten as a food, which is different from cow's milk as a drink. Cow's milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months, but should not be the main drink until 12 months.
Milk is a common food allergen. Offer a small amount at first, at a time when you can watch your baby, and know the signs listed below. If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, ask your doctor before introducing dairy.
When to call your pediatrician
- Signs of a milk allergy within minutes to 2 hours of eating yogurt: hives, swelling of the lips or face, repeated vomiting, coughing, or wheezing. If your baby has trouble breathing, widespread hives, or becomes floppy or pale, call emergency services immediately.
- Blood or mucus in the stool after introducing yogurt, which can signal a cow's milk protein issue and deserves a same-week call.
- Eczema that flares consistently after dairy, especially if flares repeat each time yogurt is served.
- Repetitive, forceful vomiting starting 1 to 4 hours after eating dairy, with unusual sleepiness or paleness. This delayed pattern needs prompt medical advice.
- Ongoing diarrhea, worsening reflux, or poor weight gain after yogurt becomes a regular food.
- A sibling or parent with a severe milk allergy, or a baby with significant eczema. Ask your pediatrician for an introduction plan before offering dairy at home.
How Greek and regular yogurt differ
- Straining: Greek yogurt is regular yogurt with much of the liquid whey strained off. That makes it thicker and gives it more protein per spoonful.
- Texture: Greek yogurt is thick enough to cling to a preloaded spoon and works as a dip. Regular yogurt is thinner and stirs smoothly into porridge or fruit purée.
- Taste: Greek yogurt is usually tangier. Some babies take to that straight away; others accept the milder taste of regular yogurt more easily at first.
- Labels vary: protein, calcium and added sugar differ between brands and between plain and flavoured versions, so compare the nutrition panel of the tubs you actually buy.
- Products sold as 'baby yogurt' are not a separate food. Many are ordinary yogurt in smaller pots, and some add sugar or fruit purée.
How to choose and serve each type
Buy plain, full-fat and pasteurised
Whichever type you choose, check the label for pasteurised milk, full fat and no added sugar or sweeteners. Avoid flavoured yogurts and anything sweetened with honey: honey should not be given before 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.
Start with a small amount
Offer a spoonful or two at first and watch for allergy signs. As eating becomes routine, yogurt can be part of a meal or a pudding alongside other foods, not a replacement for breast milk or formula.
Use Greek yogurt when your baby feeds themselves
Its thick texture stays on a preloaded spoon and works as a dip for soft vegetable sticks or toast fingers that suit your baby's eating skills.
Use regular yogurt for mixing
It stirs smoothly into porridge, fruit purée or savoury mash and can loosen a thick food to a texture your baby manages well.
Flavour it with fruit, not sugar
Stir in mashed banana, puréed berries or other soft fruit instead of sugar, syrup or sweetened yogurt.
