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).

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.   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. 

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

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.      That said, cheddar cheese is quite high in sodium, which in excess is not healthy for babies (or adults).   

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.    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.   

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

★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.

Yes. Cheese is a common choking hazard for babies and children.  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.

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.  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.   

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.    However, aged cheeses often contain histamines, which may cause mild rashes in children who are sensitive to them. 

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.