Dairy Food Library
When can babies have cream cheese?
Can babies have cream cheese?
Babies can have pasteurized cream cheese from about 6 months, first stirred into purees or oatmeal on a spoon, then spread thinly on toast strips from 7–8 months. Thick globs can stick to the roof of the mouth, so keep the layer thin. Cream cheese is made from milk and is a dairy allergen.
How to serve cream cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Stir a small spoonful of plain pasteurized cream cheese into mashed vegetables, fruit purees or oatmeal to add creaminess, thinning it with a little breast milk or formula if needed. Offer it on a spoon, never as a thick glob.
7–8 months
Spread a thin layer of plain cream cheese on a soft toast strip about the size of two adult fingers, or mix it into lumpier mashed vegetables or oatmeal. Keep the layer thin so it does not stick to the roof of the mouth.
9–12 months
Offer thinly spread toast squares, small pieces of soft bagel or pancake with a light smear, or cream cheese mixed with mashed fruit as a dip for steamed vegetable sticks.
12 months +
Toddlers can have cream cheese on toast, crackers and bagels, or as a dip. Continue to spread it thinly and choose plain over flavored or sweetened versions.
Why it’s good
Cream cheese offers fat for energy and brain growth, plus some vitamin A and a little protein and calcium. It has less protein and calcium than many other cheeses, so it works best as a spread rather than a main dairy food.
Safety notes
- Spread cream cheese thinly. Thick globs or spoonfuls can stick to the roof of the mouth and be hard to swallow.
- Choose pasteurized cream cheese, which is standard in US supermarkets.
- Pick plain cream cheese. Flavored and dessert versions can have added sugar, and savory ones can be salty.
- Avoid whipped cream cheese with large chunks of vegetables or nuts mixed in.
Introduce cream cheese on its own, then keep it in
Cream cheese is a dairy food, and cow's milk is one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce it in a small amount, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or wheezing, and keep dairy in the diet once tolerated.
Cream cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about cream cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have cream cheese?
Babies can have cream cheese from about 6 months, stirred into purees at first and spread thinly on toast from about 7–8 months. Cream cheese is a soft, mild way to introduce dairy.
Can babies have cream cheese?
Yes, babies can eat plain, pasteurized cream cheese in small amounts. Cream cheese should be spread thin so it does not form sticky globs in the mouth.
Is cream cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Cream cheese can be a choking hazard if it is served in thick layers or spoonfuls, because it can stick in the mouth. A thin spread on toast or cream cheese mixed into moist foods is much safer.
Is cream cheese a common allergen?
Yes, cream cheese is a common allergen because it is made from milk, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Start with a small amount and watch for signs of reaction.
How do I serve cream cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve cream cheese to a 6 month old, stir a small amount into a puree or oatmeal and offer it on a spoon. Cream cheese can also be thinned with breast milk or formula to make an easier texture. A thin spread on a toast strip can follow at 7–8 months.
Is cream cheese healthy for babies?
Cream cheese is a fine part of a baby's diet as a source of fat and vitamin A. Cream cheese is lower in protein and calcium than yogurt or hard cheeses, so serve it alongside other dairy foods.
Is cream cheese the same as Neufchâtel?
Neufchâtel is similar to cream cheese but slightly lower in fat, and either can be served to babies. Whole-fat cream cheese is a good choice for babies because they need fat to grow.
Can babies have flavored cream cheese?
Babies are better off with plain cream cheese than flavored types, which can contain added sugar, salt or chunks. Mix plain cream cheese with mashed berries or herbs for flavor at home.
Can babies have cream cheese frosting?
Cream cheese frosting is high in added sugar, so it is best saved for an occasional taste after 12 months. Limit added sugars for children under 2.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pasteurized cream cheese from about 6 months, first stirred into purees or oatmeal on a spoon, then spread thinly on toast strips from 7–8 months.
- Stir a small spoonful of plain pasteurized cream cheese into mashed vegetables, fruit purees or oatmeal to add creaminess, thinning it with a little breast milk or formula if needed.
- 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)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
- 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.