Dairy Food Library
When can babies have Greek yogurt?
Can babies have Greek yogurt?
Babies can have plain, whole milk Greek yogurt from about 6 months. Choose unsweetened, pasteurized Greek yogurt and serve it on a spoon or a preloaded spoon, adding it as a dip for soft foods from 7–8 months. Greek yogurt is made from milk, so it is a dairy allergen to introduce with care.
How to serve Greek yogurt by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Offer plain whole milk Greek yogurt on a spoon or a preloaded spoon, thinned with a little breast milk or formula if it is very thick. You can also swirl in smooth fruit or vegetable puree.
7–8 months
Thicken Greek yogurt with roughly mashed fruit or oats, and let your baby scoop it with hands or a preloaded spoon. Because it is thick, it also works as a dip that clings to soft toast strips or soft roasted veggie wedges.
9–12 months
Swirl Greek yogurt into mashed fruit, spread it on pancakes, or use it as a dip for soft fruit pieces. Your baby can practice scooping with a short, thick-handled spoon.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat Greek yogurt with chopped soft fruit, in smoothies served in an open cup, or as a creamy sauce mixed with herbs. Keep choosing plain yogurt and add your own fruit for sweetness.
Why it’s good
Greek yogurt gives babies protein, calcium, vitamin B12, riboflavin and fat for growth and energy. It is strained, so it has more protein and less lactose than regular yogurt. Many brands also contain live cultures, which are a nice extra for a growing gut.
Safety notes
- Choose plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. Flavored yogurts often contain a lot of added sugar, and some contain honey, which is not safe before 12 months.
- Pick whole milk (full fat) Greek yogurt for babies. They need the fat for energy and brain growth.
- Only serve yogurt made from pasteurized milk.
- Greek yogurt is very thick, so thin it with a little breast milk, formula or water if your baby seems to struggle to swallow it.
Introduce greek yogurt on its own, then keep it in
Greek yogurt is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 allergens, so start with a small amount and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or wheezing. Babies with severe eczema or a known food allergy should talk with a pediatrician first, and once dairy is tolerated, keep it in the diet regularly.
Greek yogurt for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about Greek yogurt for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have Greek yogurt?
Babies can have Greek yogurt from about 6 months, when they start solids. Plain, whole milk, unsweetened Greek yogurt is the best choice.
Can babies have Greek yogurt?
Yes, babies can eat Greek yogurt as one of their first foods. Yogurt is fine before 12 months even though cow's milk as a drink is not, Yogurt is fine before 12 months even though cow's milk as a drink is not, because it is eaten in small amounts and does not replace breast milk or formula..
Is Greek yogurt a choking hazard for babies?
Greek yogurt is a low choking risk for babies because it is smooth and soft. Very thick yogurt can be thinned slightly so it is easier to swallow.
Is Greek yogurt a common allergen?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a common allergen because it is made from milk, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Introduce a small amount first and watch your baby for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve Greek yogurt to a 6 month old?
To serve Greek yogurt to a 6 month old, load plain whole milk Greek yogurt on a baby spoon and feed it or hand it to your baby, thinning it with a little breast milk or formula if needed. Dipping soft toast strips or veggie wedges into it can follow at 7–8 months.
Is Greek yogurt better than regular yogurt for babies?
Greek yogurt and regular yogurt are both good for babies as long as they are plain and whole milk. Greek yogurt has more protein and is thicker, while regular yogurt often has a bit more calcium.
Can babies have flavored or vanilla Greek yogurt?
Flavored and vanilla Greek yogurt are best avoided for babies because they usually contain added sugar. Some contain honey, which is not safe before 12 months, so sweeten plain Greek yogurt with mashed fruit instead.
Why can babies have Greek yogurt but not milk?
Babies can have Greek yogurt but not cow's milk as a drink because yogurt is served in small amounts and does not replace breast milk or formula. Large amounts of cow's milk before 12 months can crowd out iron and other nutrients.
How much Greek yogurt can a baby have?
A baby can have a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt a day as part of a varied diet. About a quarter to half a cup a day is plenty for most babies once dairy is established.
Is Greek yogurt good for babies?
Yes, plain whole milk Greek yogurt is a good food for babies from about 6 months. It is rich in protein, calcium and vitamin B12, and has less lactose than regular yogurt. Choose unsweetened, pasteurized Greek yogurt and thin it with a little breast milk or formula if it is very thick.
Is Greek yogurt good for toddlers?
Yes, plain Greek yogurt is a great food for toddlers over 12 months, giving protein, calcium and fat for growth. Serve it with chopped soft fruit or in smoothies. Keep choosing plain whole milk yogurt and add your own fruit, since flavored yogurts often have a lot of added sugar.
Can babies have nonfat Greek yogurt?
Nonfat Greek yogurt is not the best choice for babies, who need the fat in whole milk yogurt for energy and brain growth. Choose plain, whole milk (full fat) Greek yogurt instead. Nonfat or low-fat versions are fine later if your pediatrician recommends them, and some nonfat yogurts also contain added sugar or sweeteners.
The takeaway
- Babies can have plain, whole milk Greek yogurt from about 6 months.
- Offer plain whole milk Greek yogurt on a spoon or a preloaded spoon, thinned with a little breast milk or formula if it is very thick.
- Choking risk is low. 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
- 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.