When can a baby eat cheese?
When you first introduce your child to solid foods, it's best to stick
to simple fruit and vegetable purees. If your child is becoming a pro at eating
those first purees, you may be wondering when it's time to introduce cheese and
what kinds of cheese he can eat. Read on to find out which cheeses to feed your
baby and which ones to avoid.
Introducing baby to cheese
Experts recommend that your baby's first solid food be one-ingredient
puree or very soft foods. However, once your baby is ready for more textured
foods, between 9 and 12 months of age, you can start introducing cheese. The
cheese you give your child should be grated or cut into small cubes.
Before giving your child finger food, including cheese, ask yourself:
- Does it melt in your mouth?
- Does it mush easily?
- Can it be gummed?
- Is it small enough?
Do not give the child pieces of cheese, as there is a risk of choking.
The cheese you give your child should be whole and pasteurized. Here are some
good options:
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Other cheeses that are clearly labeled "made from pasteurized milk"
Cheeses to avoid
Some cheeses may be harmful to your child. These include:
- Mold-ripened soft cheeses like brie or camembert
- Blue-veined cheese like roquefort
- Ripened goats' milk cheese like chèvre
- Any cheese that is not pasteurized
Unpasteurized cheeses can contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites that
can enter food and cause foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning.
Children under the age of five are at higher risk of contracting food poisoning
because their immune systems are not fully developed. They cannot fight
infections as well as older children and adults. Young children also produce
less stomach acid, which kills harmful bacteria.
Also, young children are more prone to dehydration from vomiting and
diarrhea due to their small size. Children under the age of five who get E.
coli food poisoning are more likely to develop a serious complication called
hemolytic uremic syndrome. This can lead to chronic kidney disease, kidney
failure, and even death.
Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that kills the bacteria that
cause food poisoning. If you don't know if a food or drink is pasteurized,
don't give it to your child.
Nutritional value of cheese for children
Cheese is a nutritious food containing proteins, fats and minerals. Aged
cheese contains less lactose than milk, so it is better tolerated by people
with lactose intolerance. Lactose is a type of sugar that is not easily
digested by people who lack the enzyme to break it down. Cheese is also rich
in:
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin A
- Protein
When you first introduce your baby to cheese, he will still get most of
his diet from breast milk or formula. When your child is two years old, he
should be getting two servings of milk a day. A serving is 1 cup of milk, 14
grams of hard cheese or 65 grams of processed cheese.
Cheese Precautions for Children
There are two main safety concerns associated with feeding cheese to
children: milk allergy and milk intolerance. Tell your pediatrician right away
if your child reacts to cheese. Tests can be done to confirm a milk allergy so
you can avoid dairy in the future.
Allergy to milk. The most common
food allergy in infants and young children is cow's milk. Most children will
eventually overcome their milk allergy, but some will not. When a child is
allergic to milk, their body reacts to the protein in the milk, triggering an
immune response. The reaction can range from mild to severe. Milk allergy
symptoms occur after your child eats or drinks food that contains milk.
Symptoms that may be immediate include:
- Itching or tingling around lips and mouth
- Wheezing
- Coughing or shortness of breath
- Hives
- Vomiting
Some symptoms take longer to develop. These can include:
- Diarrhea, which may contain blood
- Stomach cramps
- Watery eyes
- Colic in babies
- Runny nose
A milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis, which is a serious and
life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis requires emergency treatment.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Constricted airways
- Itching
- Flushed face
- Shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure
Intolerance to milk. Milk intolerance,
also called lactose intolerance, is different from a milk allergy. Milk
intolerance is not related to the immune system. People with lactose
intolerance lack an enzyme needed to break down the sugar in milk called
lactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Lactose intolerance is usually harmless, but the symptoms can be
unpleasant. People with lactose intolerance may not need to cut out all dairy
products. Aged cheese contains less lactose than milk and is therefore better
tolerated.