Dairy Food Library
When can babies have emmentaler cheese?
Can babies have emmentaler cheese?
Babies can have pasteurized emmentaler cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into warm purees at first, with thin slices from 7–8 months. Emmentaler is one of the lower-sodium hard cheeses, which makes it a good cheese for babies. Emmentaler is made from cow's milk and is a dairy allergen.
How to serve emmentaler cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Finely grate pasteurized emmentaler and melt a small amount into warm mashed vegetables, lentils or smooth oatmeal so it blends in. Offer it on a spoon and avoid any strings or globs of melted cheese.
7–8 months
Stir grated emmentaler into thicker, lumpier mashes, or offer a thin, wide slice for your baby to munch on. You can also melt a thin layer onto a soft toast strip.
9–12 months
Offer grated emmentaler or thin pieces about the size of a pea, and sprinkle it over soft pasta, eggs or vegetables. Avoid cubes and thick sticks.
12 months +
Toddlers can have thin slices in sandwiches, melted emmentaler on toast or in fondue-style dips with soft bread and steamed vegetables. Keep cubes very small.
Why it’s good
Emmentaler cheese gives babies protein, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, plus vitamin B12, zinc and fat for energy. Emmentaler is lower in sodium than many other hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan, so it suits babies well.
Safety notes
- Firm cheese in cubes or thick sticks is a high choking risk. Grate emmentaler, slice it very thinly or melt it thinly instead.
- Melted emmentaler is stretchy and can form a large glob. Spread it thinly and let it cool before serving.
- Only serve emmentaler made from pasteurized milk. Some traditional Swiss emmentaler is made from raw milk, which can carry Listeria.
- Fondue made with wine or kirsch contains alcohol. Do not serve alcohol-based fondue to babies or toddlers.
Introduce emmentaler cheese on its own, then keep it in
Emmentaler cheese is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 allergens. Start with a small amount, watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or wheezing, and keep dairy in your baby's diet regularly once it is tolerated.
Emmentaler cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about emmentaler cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have emmentaler cheese?
Babies can have emmentaler cheese from about 6 months, as long as the emmentaler is pasteurized and grated and melted into warm food, with thin slices from 7–8 months. Emmentaler is a good choice because it is lower in sodium than many cheeses.
Can babies have emmentaler cheese?
Yes, babies can eat pasteurized emmentaler cheese from 6 months. Emmentaler is mild, melts well and has less salt than most hard cheeses.
Is emmentaler cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Emmentaler cheese can be a choking hazard for babies when served in cubes, thick sticks or large globs of melted cheese. Grate emmentaler or slice it paper thin, and always stay close during meals.
Is emmentaler cheese a common allergen?
Yes, emmentaler cheese is a common allergen because it is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce a small amount and watch for signs of an allergic reaction.
How do I serve emmentaler cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve emmentaler cheese to a 6 month old, finely grate pasteurized emmentaler and melt it into warm mashed vegetables or oatmeal, then offer it on a spoon. Thin slices to munch on can follow at 7–8 months.
Is emmentaler the same as Swiss cheese?
Emmentaler is the original Swiss cheese with large holes, and American Swiss cheese is modeled on it. Both are mild, lower-sodium cheeses that work well for babies when pasteurized.
When can children eat raw milk emmentaler cheese?
Health agencies advise avoiding unpasteurized cheese for babies and young children because of the risk of Listeria and other bacteria. Choose emmentaler labeled pasteurized for your baby and toddler.
Can babies have cheese fondue?
Babies and toddlers should not have traditional cheese fondue made with wine or kirsch because it contains alcohol. Melt pasteurized emmentaler with a little milk instead for a kid-friendly dip.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pasteurized emmentaler cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into warm purees at first, with thin slices from 7–8 months.
- Finely grate pasteurized emmentaler and melt a small amount into warm mashed vegetables, lentils or smooth oatmeal so it blends in.
- 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)
- Preventing Listeria Infection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 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.