Goat Cheese

Fresh, soft goat cheese may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Choose pasteurized goat cheese to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Fresh goat cheese, the white, soft, tangy cheese sometimes sold in small logs, is also known as chèvre in French, after the animal whose milk is used to make it, among other names. That’s because it is popular in cultures around the world, and despite its many names, the cheese is made using the same basic cooking method: coagulate milk, separate solids (curds) from liquid (whey), and compress to form fresh young cheese.

Yes. Goat cheese tends to be low in sodium and is rich in protein and fat, as well as calcium, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, and B12. Together, these nutrients help provide the building blocks for growth and development, energy for movement and exploration, bone density, brain development, taste perception, immune health, metabolic processes, and more.

Yes. Goat cheese is made from goat milk, and while milk allergy typically refers to cow’s milk, dairy products from other ruminants such as sheep, goat, and buffalo may provoke similar allergic reactions to cow’s milk dairy products. Milk is an especially common food allergen in young children, accounting for about one-fifth of all childhood food allergies. That said, there’s good news: milk allergy often disappears with time. 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 appropriate pediatric health professionals.

Milk is a common cause of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, also known as FPIES. FPIES is a delayed allergy to food protein which causes the sudden onset of repetitive vomiting and diarrhea to begin a few hours after ingestion. This is termed acute FPIES. Left untreated, the reaction can result in significant dehydration. When milk is in the diet regularly, FPIES can present as reflux, weight loss, and failure to thrive - this is termed chronic FPIES. Symptoms generally improve with elimination of milk from the baby’s diet. Thankfully, like other forms of milk allergy, FPIES which presents early in life is generally outgrown by the time a child has reached 3 to 5 years of age.

Lactose intolerance, which is when the body has a hard time processing lactose, the sugar that is naturally present in milk, can sometimes be mistaken for an allergy, as it can result in bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, and other discomfort. Be sure to connect with an appropriate pediatric health care professional for any questions about lactose intolerance, and know there are many lactose-free dairy foods available. 

If you suspect baby may be allergic to milk, consult an allergist before introducing dairy products like goat cheese. Based on a baby’s risk factors and history, your allergist may recommend allergy testing, or may instead advise dairy introduction under medical supervision in the office. If the risk is low, you may be advised to go ahead and introduce cheese in the home setting. 

As with all common allergens, start by serving a small quantity on its own for the first few servings, and if there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals. If you have already introduced milk and ruled out an allergy, cheese can be introduced as desired, without any need to start small and build up over time.

Yes. Fresh, soft goat cheese can form a sticky glob inside baby’s mouth, a quality that increases the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve goat cheese in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

When first getting started, offer a small amount and trust that baby knows how to show interest in wanting more by grunting, pointing, or reaching out. Keep in mind that most babies between 6 and 9 months of age do not consume much solid food at first. For babies between 10 and 12 months of age, work toward what a balanced adult meal would look like, just with smaller portions than what you might have. Follow the child’s lead: when baby indicates “more”, offer more food. When baby shows signs that they are finished, stop offering food.

There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. Some of our favorite first foods include steamed broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits. See more ideas in our guide, 50 Fantastic First Foods.