When can babies eat cheese?
Babies can start having cheese around 6 months, once they begin solids and show readiness for baby-led weaning.
Always choose pasteurized, low-sodium cheese varieties to ensure safety and suitability for your baby.
See our first foods for baby guide for more ideas.
Select Baby's Age
How to cut cheese for a 6 month old
At 6 months, offer cheese as thin grated sprinkles mixed into other foods or as soft melted cheese spread on toast strips. Avoid blocks or cubes since cheese can compress in the airway and pose a choking risk at this age.
6 month baby feeding schedule for more tips.
Safety Tips
- ✓Always use pasteurized, low-sodium cheese to protect your baby’s health.
- ✓Avoid large chunks or thick pieces that can compress and block the airway.
- ✓Supervise your baby closely during feeding to respond quickly if needed.
- ✓Introduce cheese gradually and watch for any signs of intolerance or allergy.
Cheese recipe ideas for baby-led weaning
Try these simple and tasty cheese recipes that are perfect for babies starting solids and practicing baby-led weaning. See our baby recipes.
- ★Soft cheese melted on toast strips
- ★Grated cheese mixed into vegetable purees or pasta
- ★Thin cheese strips served with steamed veggies
- ★Cheese and fruit finger food platter
Explore our baby-led weaning food list and first foods for baby for more inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can babies eat cheese?
Most babies can eat cheese from around 6 months when starting solids. Always serve it in a safe size and texture appropriate for your baby's age and development.
How do you cut cheese for baby led weaning?
For babies around 6 months, cheese should be cut into large pieces that are easy to grasp with their hands. As babies develop their chewing skills, the pieces can gradually become smaller.
How to serve cheese baby led weaning?
For BLW, cut cheese into strips or wedges that babies can hold. The texture should be soft enough to mash easily with gentle pressure.
Can babies choke on cheese?
cheese can become a choking hazard if served in small round or hard pieces. Cutting it into larger soft pieces appropriate for baby-led weaning helps reduce choking risk.
How should cheese be served to a 6 month old?
At around 6 months, cheese should be served in large soft pieces that babies can hold with their hands.
Is cheese safe for baby led weaning?
cheese can be included in baby-led weaning when cut into safe shapes and soft textures that babies can hold and gum.
How small should cheese be cut for older babies?
From around 9 months, babies typically use a pincer grasp, so cheese can be cut into smaller pea-sized pieces. Continue ensuring pieces are soft enough to mash and watch for any choking risk shapes.
Should cheese be cooked or raw for babies?
Cook cheese until easily mashable when raw textures are too firm for babies to gum. Soft ripe fruits are often offered raw, while firmer foods are typically steamed, roasted, or boiled until tender.
Can cheese be served as a finger food at 6 months?
Yes, cheese can be a 6-month finger food when cut into long graspable strips and softened to a mashable texture. Always supervise meals and adjust shape as your baby's chewing skills develop.
How to cut cheese for a 7 month old?
At 7 months babies still use a palmar (whole-hand) grasp. Cut cheese into long strips about 2-3 inches long and finger-width thick, with part sticking out of the fist for chewing. Soft enough to mash between two fingers.
How to cut cheese for an 8 month old?
At 8 months babies are refining grasp and may begin pincering. Continue offering cheese in 2-inch strips alongside a few small pea-sized pieces to practice the pincer grasp. Cooked until easily mashable.
How to cut cheese for a 9 month old?
At 9 months most babies have developed the pincer grasp. Cut cheese into pea-sized pieces (about ½ inch / 1.5 cm) for self-feeding practice. Continue avoiding round, hard, or sticky shapes; soft enough to mash with mild pressure.
How to cut cheese for a 10 month old?
At 10 months babies eat a wider variety of textures. Offer cheese in pea-sized pieces or small bite-sized cubes (½ inch / 1.5 cm). They can manage slightly firmer textures, but pieces should still mash easily.
How to cut cheese for a 12 month old?
From 12 months babies eat in pieces about ½ inch (1.5 cm). Round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) must still be quartered until age 4 due to choking risk. Soft enough to chew without much molar work.
Can babies eat cheese for breakfast?
Yes — cheese can be part of a balanced baby breakfast when prepared in baby-safe shapes. Pair with a protein, healthy fat, or whole grain (eggs, yogurt, oats, nut butter on toast) for a complete morning meal.
verifiedSources & References
This guide is informed by current guidelines from leading health organizations:
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