Dairy Food Library
When can babies have gruyere cheese?
Can babies have gruyere cheese?
Babies can have gruyere cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into food in small amounts, with very thin shavings from about 7–8 months. Gruyere is a firm cheese, so cubes and stringy melted globs can be a choking risk. Gruyere is made from cow's milk and is a dairy allergen.
How to serve gruyere cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Finely grate gruyere and melt a small amount into smooth purees like mashed potato, cauliflower or oatmeal, stirring until it blends in fully. Offer it on a spoon and keep the amount small because of the salt.
7–8 months
Stir grated gruyere into lumpier mashes, soft scrambled egg or steamed vegetables. You can also offer very thin shavings, made with a vegetable peeler, that soften in the mouth.
9–12 months
Offer thin slices or shavings for your baby to pick up, or small grated pinches over pasta and vegetables. Avoid cubes and thick sticks of firm cheese at this age.
12 months +
Toddlers can have thin slices of gruyere on toast or in a grilled cheese, or grated into gratins and omelets. Cut cooked melty cheese into small pieces because stretchy strands can be hard to manage.
Why it’s good
Gruyere cheese gives babies calcium, protein, phosphorus, vitamin B12 and fat for bone growth and energy. Its nutty flavor means a little grated gruyere goes a long way in a meal. Gruyere has moderate sodium, less than feta or parmesan, but more than fresh cheeses like ricotta.
Safety notes
- Firm cheese cubes and thick sticks are a choking hazard. Grate gruyere or slice it paper thin for babies.
- Large blobs of melted, stretchy cheese can stick in the throat. Let melted cheese cool and cut it into small pieces.
- Traditional Swiss gruyere is often made from raw milk and aged for months. Hard aged cheeses carry a lower Listeria risk, but for babies the safest choice is a cheese labeled pasteurized, or gruyere that is cooked until hot in a dish.
- Keep portions small because gruyere contains added salt. A tablespoon of grated cheese in a meal is plenty for a baby.
- Babies with a cow's milk allergy should not have gruyere, even though aged cheeses are low in lactose.
Introduce gruyere cheese on its own, then keep it in
Gruyere cheese is a dairy food, and cow's milk is one of the Top 9 allergens, so start with a small amount and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling or wheezing. If your baby has eczema or another food allergy, talk to your pediatrician before introducing dairy, and keep dairy in the diet regularly once tolerated.
Gruyere cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about gruyere cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have gruyere cheese?
Babies can have gruyere cheese from about 6 months when it is finely grated and melted into other foods, with thin shavings from about 7–8 months. Gruyere should be offered in small amounts because it contains salt.
Can babies have gruyere cheese?
Yes, babies can eat gruyere cheese in small, safe shapes such as fine shreds or thin shavings. Choose pasteurized gruyere or cook it into a hot dish for the lowest food safety risk.
Is gruyere cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Gruyere cheese can be a choking hazard for babies when served in cubes, thick sticks or large stretchy melted pieces. Grate or thinly shave gruyere, and always supervise meals.
Is gruyere cheese a common allergen?
Yes, gruyere cheese is a common allergen because it is made from cow's milk. Introduce gruyere in a small amount and watch for signs of an allergic reaction.
How do I serve gruyere cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve gruyere cheese to a 6 month old, grate a small amount and melt it into a smooth puree like mashed potato or blended vegetables, then offer it on a spoon. Thin shavings of gruyere that soften in the mouth can follow at 7–8 months.
Is gruyere cheese made from raw milk?
Some gruyere, especially imported Swiss gruyere, is made from raw milk and then aged. For babies, choose gruyere labeled pasteurized when you can, or serve it melted and hot in a cooked dish.
Is gruyere cheese high in sodium?
Gruyere cheese has moderate sodium, less than feta, halloumi or parmesan. Small amounts of grated gruyere a few times a week fit well in a baby's diet.
Can babies have gruyere if they are lactose intolerant?
Gruyere cheese is aged and very low in lactose, so many people with lactose intolerance tolerate it. Lactose intolerance is uncommon in babies, and gruyere is not safe for a baby with a cow's milk allergy.
Can toddlers eat grilled cheese with gruyere?
Toddlers can eat a grilled cheese made with gruyere once it has cooled a little. Cut the sandwich into strips or small squares so the melted gruyere is easier to manage.
The takeaway
- Babies can have gruyere cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into food in small amounts, with very thin shavings from about 7–8 months.
- Finely grate gruyere and melt a small amount into smooth purees like mashed potato, cauliflower or oatmeal, stirring until 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)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 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.