Havarti Cheese

It’s best to wait until after baby’s first birthday to serve Havarti cheese regularly. A nibble here and there is fine but, like most cheeses, Havarti is not great for babies because it has a fair amount of sodium. The best cheeses for babies younger than 12 months old are those that are naturally low in sodium, including emmentaler, soft goat cheese, labneh, fresh mozzarella cheese, mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, quark, and swiss cheese.

Thanks to its higher ratio of butterfat to protein, cream Havarti (or flødehavarti, as it is called in Denmark, where the cheese originated) is softer and smoother than aged styles, which tend to become nuttier and saltier as time goes on. Just like cheddar, the longer Havarti cheese ripens, the sharper the flavor notes. Cream Havarti, on the other hand, has a mild sweetness with a hint of tang—a pleasant balance that serves as an excellent blank canvas for seasonings.

Yes, at the right age and served in moderation. Havarti cheese contains lots of calcium to build strong bones and vitamin A to power the immune system and aid eyesight and skin health. It also offers both vitamin B2 to fuel metabolism and B12 to support healthy blood and a robust nervous system. There’s even some selenium and zinc—important nutrients to help children thrive. To top it off, Havarti is full of protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. The downside: Havarti cheese contains quite a bit of sodium, which is not healthy for babies (or adults) when consumed in excess. Learn all about sodium and babies >>

Like all cheese, the quality of the Havarti depends on the quality of the cow’s milk and how the animal was raised. Milk from pasture-raised cows has been shown to be higher in healthy fats and other nutrients than from cows raised on grain.  Additionally, 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:

Organic milk may not be an option for everyone, and if this is the case for you, do the best you can with the resources available to you and your family.

Yes. Havarti cheese is made from cow’s milk, which is a common food allergen in young children, accounting for about one-fifth of all childhood food allergies. If baby is allergic to dairy, be reassured that it is an allergy that 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 doctors.

For those with children who are lactose intolerant, more good news: Havarti cheese may be better tolerated by those with lactose intolerance, as it has low lactose content.

Aged cheeses generally contain histamines, which may cause rashes in children who are sensitive to them. However, Havarti is typically ripened for a shorter time than other aged cheeses, so it may be better tolerated than other aged cheese.

If you have a strong family history of milk allergy or suspect baby may be allergic to dairy products, consult an allergist before introducing cheese of any kind. As with all 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 servings.

Yes. Cheese is a common choking hazard for babies and children. To reduce the risk, slice thinly and avoid serving cheese in cubes and check out our age-appropriate serving suggestions. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment, stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

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

End the meal and follow up with a breast or bottle feed. Never pressure a baby or child to eat; it will only worsen food refusal in the long run. Babies refuse food for different reasons, such as teething, illness, sleepiness, or lack of energy or interest in learning a new skill. For information on why baby may refuse to eat, see our guide, Handling Food Refusal.

None! Put solid food directly on baby’s tray, plate, or bowl, then let baby explore with their hands. If you like, keep a baby spoon or fork nearby to help familiarize the child with utensils, but the skills to use them are not expected until early toddlerhood.