These foods are high in protein and calcium. Milk itself is also a good source of vitamin D, as it is added to the milk we buy.
You can introduce yogurt and cheese once your baby is six months old, as long as they continue to eat a variety of iron-rich foods.
Yogurt
- Let your baby enjoy the taste of plain unsweetened yogurt, or add fresh, canned or frozen fruit. Sweetened yogurts contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners, which your baby doesn’t need.
- Do not give your baby yogurt containing honey. There is a risk that honey could make youra baby very sick with botulism, a type of food poisoning. Honey is safe for children over 12 months of age.
Cheese
- Grate cheese before you give it to your baby.
- Do not give your baby processed cheese slices and spreads because they have more sodium (salt).
Milk
Do not give your baby cow milk before nine months of age. Cow milk is low in iron and is not recommended for infants under nine months.
You can start giving whole cow milk (3.25% M.F.) to your baby when they are 9-12 months old, as long as they are eating a variety of iron-rich foods two or more times each day. Offer whole cow milk in an open cup, not a sippy cup.
Cow milk should not replace breastmilk: At 6-12 months breastmilk continues to provide energy, nutrients and health benefits. Breastmilk changes as youre baby grows. It contains more than 200 unique, active substances that protect your baby’s health. These include antibodies, live cells, hormones and special growth factors. These are not found in cow milk.
For Breastfed Babies
- Continue to breastfeed your baby, based on their cues, up to two years and older.
- You can:
- Offer whole cow milk to your baby between 9-12 months of age, or
- Wait until your baby is 12 months or older
If you do introduce whole cow milk before 12 months, offer only small amounts. The cow milk should not replace a breastmilk feeding. You should still expect your baby to breastfeed as often as before. Breastfeed according to the baby’s cues.
- By 12 months,your baby should be eating a variety of healthy foods.
- See the section on Vitamin D for information about vitamin D supplements for breastfeeding babies.
For Babies Fed Infant Formula
- At 9-12 months, you can:
- Continue to use infant formula,
- Offer whole cow milk along with infant formula, or
- Give whole cow milk instead of infant formula
If your baby is not regularly eating a variety of iron-rich foods, wait until closer to 12 months before introducing whole cow milk.
- By 12 months, your baby should be eating a variety of healthy foods, including whole cow milk.
Type of Milk to Offer
- If your baby is drinking cow milk, continue to give them whole milk (3.25% M.F.) until they are at least two years Do not give them 2%, 1%, 0.5% or skim milk. Do not give your baby unpasteurized milk and milk products. They can make your baby very sick.
- Pasteurized, full-fat goat milk may be used instead of cow milk. If using goat milk, make sure it has added folic acid and vitamin D.
Caution: Fortified soybeverages,or other plant-based beverages such as rice, almond, cashew, oat, coconut, etc. should not be given in place of whole milk in the first two years.These beverages do not contain the right amount of nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop.
FAQs
These foods are high in protein and calcium. Milk itself is also a good source of vitamin D, as it is added to the milk we buy. You can introduce yogurt and cheese once your baby is six months old, as long as they continue to eat a variety of iron-rich foods.
What is the best food for babies 6 to 12 months? ›
In addition to grains and potatoes, be sure your baby has vegetables and fruits, legumes and seeds, a little energy-rich oil or fat, and – especially – animal foods (dairy, eggs, meat, fish and poultry) every day. Eating a variety of foods every day gives your baby the best chance of getting all the nutrients he needs.
Can 6 month old have yogurt with whole milk? ›
6 months old +:
Offer full-fat (whole milk), pasteurized, plain yogurt. Greek yogurt is perfect for this age and will be easiest for babies to self-feed. Let baby scoop up the yogurt with their hands and/or eat from a pre-loaded spoon (passing the spoon in the air will make it easier for baby to grab).
Is cheese good for 6 month old baby? ›
Cheese can form part of a healthy, balanced diet for babies and young children, and provides calcium, protein and vitamins. Babies can eat pasteurised full-fat cheese from 6 months old. This includes hard cheeses, such as mild cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese.
What should a 6 month old baby be eating? ›
Feeding your baby: 6–8 months old
Your baby can eat anything except honey, which they shouldn't eat until they reach 12 months old. You can start to add a healthy snack, like mashed fruit, between meals. As your baby gets increasing amounts of solid foods, they should continue to get the same amount of breastmilk.
What kind of yogurt can babies have? ›
Best Types of Yogurt for Babies
Babies should eat plain, full-fat yogurt made from whole milk. Children under age 2 should have no added sugar in their diets, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. 5 Even after that, sugar should be limited.
Can my 6 month old eat eggs? ›
So, when can babies eat eggs? Start offering eggs around the same time you start your baby on solid foods, after 6 months of age. Your little one's menu can begin with purees and very soft food (like infant cereal) and then expand to include more textured foods, such as eggs, fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Can babies eat yogurt every day? ›
During the first year of life, you should focus on offering your infant a variety of flavors and textures. 15 Doing so should ensure that they get a reasonable amount of anything you offer. If your baby loves yogurt, you can give it every day, but make sure you offer other foods throughout the rest of the day.
Why can babies have cheese and not milk? ›
Dairy products like yogurt and cheese, however, can be introduced as early as 6 months of age. Because they are fermented, the harder-to-digest proteins can become partially broken down, and may make them easier for baby to tolerate.
What foods can babies not eat? ›
unpasteurized juice and cider. unpasteurized milk and milk products. raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish. raw or undercooked eggs.
When can I offer my baby rice? From around 6 months, after your baby has had their first tastes, rice is perfectly fine to offer to little ones. It's a great source of carbohydrates, which provide the energy that babies need to grow and develop as well as contributing to their protein, calcium and B-vitamin intakes.
How to cut cheese for baby? ›
Make sure you always prepare cheese safely for your child's age, such as by offering soft or shredded varieties for the earliest eaters, then cutting cheese into small, bite-sized cubes or strips for older babies and toddlers.
Can my 6 month old eat mashed potatoes? ›
When can babies have potatoes? Potatoes can have a place on your baby's plate or tray whenever she starts solids. That's usually around 6 months. Mashed potatoes can work for babies who were introduced to solids by being spoon-fed purées and are ready graduate to slightly thicker textures.
What finger foods can I give my 6 month old? ›
Steamed veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas. Soft, ripe fruits like bananas, berries, peaches (peeled), mangoes (peeled) Whole-grain breakfast cereals (without nuts, clusters, or chunks) Whole-grain pasta (cooked well)
What is the best first food for a baby? ›
Solid foods may be introduced in any order. However, puréed meats, poultry, beans and iron-fortified cereals are recommended as first foods, especially if your baby has been primarily breastfed, since they provide key nutrients.
What baby food should I introduce first? ›
Most babies' first food is iron-fortified infant single-grain cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Place the spoon near your baby's lips, and let the baby smell and taste it. Don't be surprised if this first spoonful is rejected.
What is the ideal food for babies for at least the first 6 months of life? ›
Since 2002, the WHO has recommended infants be exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months of life to optimize their growth, development and health (10).
What foods should be avoided at 12 months? ›
Toddlers between 12 and 24 months should avoid:
- foods with added sugars and no-calorie sweeteners, including sugar-sweetened and diet drinks.
- high-sodium foods.
- unpasteurized juice, milk, yogurt, or cheese.
- foods that may cause choking, such as hot dogs, raw vegetables, grapes, hard cheese, popcorn, and nuts.
