Cheddar Cheese

When can babies eat cheddar cheese?

Cheddar cheese can be introduced as soon as your baby is ready for solids, though it is best to wait to serve the salty cheese regularly until after baby’s first birthday as it’s quite high in sodium. The best cheeses for babies are those that are naturally low in sodium, such as fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, and Swiss cheese (or Emmental cheese).

Types of cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese can be mildly sweet, sharply acidic, or slightly bitter; creamy, crumbly, or crunchy; pearly white, pale yellow, or bright orange. Why so much variation? The color, flavor, and texture of cheddar depend on a cow’s diet and the production methods that turn its milk into one of the world’s most popular cheeses. For example, in its namesake village in England, cheddar cheese is sharp and tangy, made by hand using traditional farmhouse methods of separating the curds (the fatty solids) from the whey (the protein-packed liquids) in milk that comes from cows who are raised locally.¹  In contrast, cheddar cheeses from large-scale producers in Wisconsin and other parts of the United States are often sweeter, milder, and sometimes tinted with natural food dyes like annatto seeds, carrot juice, or saffron to obtain the fiery orange color that is preferred by some consumers.²

Whichever cheddar that you choose for your family, you can count on one common characteristic of all varieties: salty, savory deliciousness.

Is cheddar cheese healthy for babies?

Yes, in moderation. Cheddar cheese contains lots of healthy fats that support cell integrity and all the amino acids that our bodies need. Plus it’s a good source of calcium to build strong bones. There are even essential nutrients like vitamin A for brain, eye, immune health, and skin health; vitamin B12 for brain development; and selenium and zinc for growth and immune function.^{3 4 5} That said, cheddar cheese is quite high in sodium, which in excess is not healthy for babies (or adults).^{6 7}

Like all cheese, the quality of the cheddar depends on the quality of the cow’s milk and how the animal was raised. Cheddar made with milk from pasture-raised cows has been shown to be higher in healthy fats and other nutrients than from cows raised on grain.^8 9 Unfortunately, non-organic dairy products may contain pesticide residues (including DDT, an endocrine-disrupting chemical) that have been shown to adversely affect a child’s physical, mental and behavioral health.^{10 11}

When shopping for cheese for babies, look for the following:

• Pasteurized
• Low sodium (less than 100mg per serving for babies younger than 12 months old)
• Made from whole milk

★Tip: Life is too short for bland foods! When introducing cheddar to your child, go for the flavorful varieties like clothbound cheddar, English farmhouse cheddar, or Irish cheddar.

Is cheddar cheese a choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Cheese is a common choking hazard for babies and children.¹² To reduce the risk, slice very thinly and avoid serving cheese in cubes. Check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Is cheddar cheese a common allergen?

Yes. Cheddar cheese is made from cow’s milk, and cow’s milk is a common food allergen in young children, accounting for about one-fifth of all childhood food allergies.¹³ Research shows that the majority of children with cow’s milk allergy will outgrow it by age 6 and many babies with milder symptoms of milk protein allergy (which can show up as painless blood in stool) are able to successfully reintroduce cow’s milk as early as their first birthday, with the guidance of their doctors.^{14 15}

For those with children who are lactose intolerant, good news: cheddar cheese is usually tolerated by those with lactose intolerance, as it has low lactose content.^16 17 However, aged cheeses often contain histamines, which may cause mild rashes in children who are sensitive to them.¹⁸

If you have a strong family history of milk allergy or suspect your baby may be allergic to dairy products, consult an allergist before introducing cheese of any kind. As with all allergens, start by serving a scant quantity on its own for the first couple of times, and if there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future servings.

How do you prepare cheddar cheese for babies with baby-led weaning?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.

6 to 12 months old: Hold off on serving cheddar regularly and opt for cheeses lower in sodium such as goat cheese, mascarpone, mozzarella, ricotta, or Swiss cheese. Slicing into thin pieces (as opposed to cubes) will reduce the choking risk while still making it easy for your baby to self-feed. If you happen to have a cheddar omelet already prepared for yourself and you’d like to share, by all means do so! Just focus on cheese lower in sodium when serving cheese regularly. While they can be difficult to find, there are low sodium cheddar cheese brands out there. Just read labels closely and buy cheese that has less than 100mg of sodium per serving.

12 to 24 months old: Thinly slice cheddar cheese or grate. Make sure your child is in a safe eating environment (upright highchair, etc.) and never serve cheese on-the-go in a stroller, in a car seat, or when your toddler is running around.

For more information on how to cut food for babies, visit our page on Food Sizes & Shapes.

You can freeze cheese! If you aren’t sure if you’ll use a whole block of cheese before its expiration date, just pop them into an air-tight container and it should last up to 6 months more

Reviewed by

J. Truppi, MSN, CNS

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD

K. Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC

S. Bajowala, MD, FAAAAI. (allergy section)

R. Ruiz, MD Board-Certified General Pediatrician and Pediatric Gastroenterologist

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