No. 85 · Dairy Passport food
When can babies have cheddar cheese?
Can babies have cheddar cheese?
Babies can have pasteurized cheddar cheese from about 6 months in small amounts. Start with finely grated cheddar melted into purees and mashes, then offer thin, bendy slices from about 7–8 months, and never cubes for young babies. Cheddar is made from milk, a Top 9 allergen, and contains some salt, so keep portions modest.
How to serve cheddar cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Finely grate mild pasteurized cheddar and melt a small amount into smooth purees or mashed potato, cauliflower or soft scrambled egg mashed smooth, so it blends in fully. Keep the amount small because cheddar contains some salt.
7–8 months
Stir grated cheddar into lumpier mashes, pasta or soft omelet, or offer thin slices about the length and width of an adult finger and thin enough to bend. A thin strip of soft quesadilla with melted cheddar also works, as long as the cheese is not stringy.
9–12 months
Offer finely shredded cheddar for pincer practice, or thin small pieces about the size of a pea. Melted cheddar on toast strips or mixed into pasta works well, as long as it is not stringy or in large gooey globs.
12 months +
Toddlers can have small thin slices or shredded cheddar with meals and snacks. Avoid cubes and string-like melted clumps until your child chews well, and keep cheese to a modest daily amount.
Why it’s good
Cheddar cheese gives babies calcium and phosphorus for bones and teeth, protein, fat for energy and brain growth, and vitamins A and B12. Cheddar is lower in lactose than milk, so many babies digest it easily. It does contain sodium, so it works best as one part of a balanced plate.
Safety notes
- Never serve cheddar in cubes or thick chunks to babies and young toddlers. Firm cubes can block the airway.
- Melted cheddar can form stringy or gooey clumps that are hard to swallow. Spread it thinly or mix it into other food.
- Choose pasteurized cheddar. Most supermarket cheddar is pasteurized, but some farmhouse and imported cheddars are made from raw milk.
- Processed cheese slices, cheese spreads and cheese sauces are much higher in sodium. Plain block cheddar you grate or slice yourself is the better choice.
- Babies under 12 months should get most of their milk from breast milk or formula. Cheddar is fine as food, but cow's milk as a drink waits until 12 months.
Introduce cheddar on its own, then keep it in
Cheddar is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce a small amount, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and talk to your pediatrician first if your baby has severe eczema or a known allergy; once dairy is tolerated, keep it in the diet regularly.
Cheddar cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about cheddar cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have cheddar cheese?
Babies can have cheddar cheese from about 6 months, as long as it is pasteurized and served in a safe form. Finely grated cheddar melted into purees or mashes works best at first, with thin slices from about 7–8 months.
Can babies have cheddar cheese?
Yes, babies can eat pasteurized cheddar cheese from 6 months in small amounts. Cheddar cheese adds calcium, protein and fat to a baby's diet but contains some sodium, so it should not be the main food on the plate.
Is cheddar cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Cheddar cheese is a medium choking risk for babies because cubes and thick chunks are firm and can block the airway. Serve cheddar in thin slices, shreds or thinly melted, and always stay with your baby while they eat.
Is cheddar cheese a common allergen?
Yes, cheddar cheese is a common allergen because it is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce cheddar in a small amount and watch for signs of an allergic reaction.
How do I serve cheddar cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve cheddar cheese to a 6 month old, finely grate mild pasteurized cheddar and melt a little into a smooth puree or mashed potato, then offer it on a spoon. Thin, bendy slices can follow at 7–8 months, and cheddar cheese should never be cubed for a baby.
Is mild or sharp cheddar better for babies?
Mild cheddar has a softer texture and gentler taste, so it is a good first choice for babies. Sharp and aged cheddar are firmer and crumblier, which some babies like, but grate or shred them finely.
Can babies have shredded cheddar cheese from a bag?
Babies can have pre-shredded cheddar cheese, which usually contains a little anti-caking starch that is safe to eat. Shredded cheddar can clump in the mouth if served dry, so mix it into moist foods or melt it thinly.
How much cheddar cheese can a baby have?
A baby only needs a small amount of cheddar cheese, such as a slice or a tablespoon or two of shreds at a meal. Mixing cheddar with lower-sodium dairy like yogurt or ricotta keeps total salt in check.
Can cheddar cheese cause constipation in babies?
Cheddar cheese is low in fiber, and a lot of cheese can contribute to firmer stools in some babies. Serving cheddar with fruits, vegetables and whole grains and offering water with meals helps keep stools soft.
Why is some cheddar cheese orange?
Orange cheddar cheese is colored with annatto, a natural plant-based coloring from achiote seeds. White and orange cheddar are equally suitable for babies, and annatto reactions are rare.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pasteurized cheddar cheese from about 6 months in small amounts.
- Finely grate mild pasteurized cheddar and melt a small amount into smooth purees or mashed potato, cauliflower or soft scrambled egg mashed smooth, so it blends in fully.
- Choking risk is medium. Dairy is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.