Dairy Food Library
When can babies have parmesan cheese?
Can babies have parmesan cheese?
Babies can have parmesan cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and in small amounts. Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that is high in sodium, so use it as a sprinkle for flavor rather than a main food. Parmesan is made from milk and counts as a dairy allergen.
How to serve parmesan cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Finely grate a small pinch of parmesan and stir it into smooth foods like mashed vegetables, pureed lentils or smooth risotto so it melts in. Offer it on a spoon, and never offer it cubed or shaved.
7–8 months
Keep stirring a small pinch of finely grated parmesan into thicker, lumpier foods like fork-mashed vegetables, soft pasta, risotto or scrambled egg. A light sprinkle is plenty because of the salt.
9–12 months
Keep using finely grated parmesan as a light sprinkle on finger foods like pasta, roasted vegetables or omelet strips. A teaspoon or so per meal is plenty because of the salt.
12 months +
Toddlers can have grated parmesan on pasta, soups and vegetables. Very thin shavings are fine once your child chews well, but avoid hard chunks or cubes until at least age 2 or later.
Why it’s good
Parmesan gives babies protein, calcium and phosphorus in a concentrated form, which support growing bones and muscles. It adds a strong savory taste, so a little can help babies accept vegetables and grains. Parmesan is high in sodium and is best used as a small flavor boost.
Safety notes
- Parmesan is very high in salt. Use a small sprinkle, and choose lower-sodium cheeses like fresh mozzarella, ricotta or Swiss for bigger portions.
- Hard chunks, cubes and thick shavings of parmesan are a choking risk. Always grate it finely for babies.
- Melted parmesan can form sticky, stringy globs. Stir it in so it spreads through the food instead of clumping.
- Pre-grated shelf-stable parmesan often contains anti-caking agents and fillers. Freshly grated parmesan is a simpler choice.
- Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano is made from raw milk but aged for at least 12 months, and hard aged cheeses like it are generally considered low risk for Listeria. If you prefer, choose a parmesan labeled as made from pasteurized milk.
Introduce parmesan on its own, then keep it in
Parmesan is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 allergens, so introduce it in a small amount and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing. Aged cheeses are lower in lactose but still contain milk protein, so they are not safe for babies with a milk allergy.
Parmesan cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about parmesan cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have parmesan cheese?
Babies can have parmesan cheese from about 6 months when it is finely grated and used in small amounts. Parmesan cheese is salty, so it works best as a sprinkle on other foods.
Can babies have parmesan cheese?
Yes, babies can eat parmesan cheese from 6 months as a light sprinkle. Because parmesan cheese is high in sodium, keep portions small and use it a few times a week rather than at every meal.
Is parmesan cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Parmesan cheese can be a choking hazard when served in hard chunks, cubes or thick shavings. Finely grated parmesan mixed into moist food is much safer for babies.
Is parmesan cheese a common allergen?
Yes, parmesan cheese is a common allergen because it is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 food allergens. Start with a small amount and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve parmesan cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve parmesan cheese to a 6 month old, finely grate a small pinch and stir it into smooth foods like mashed vegetables or pureed lentils, then offer it on a spoon. Avoid chunks and shavings at this age.
Is parmesan cheese too salty for babies?
Parmesan cheese is one of the saltier cheeses, so it is too salty to serve in large amounts to babies. A small sprinkle of parmesan cheese is fine, and lower-sodium cheeses are better for everyday portions.
How much parmesan cheese can a baby have?
A baby only needs about a teaspoon of finely grated parmesan cheese in a meal, a few times a week. Using parmesan cheese as a seasoning gives flavor without too much sodium.
Is pre-grated parmesan cheese okay for babies?
Pre-grated parmesan cheese is okay for babies in small amounts, but shelf-stable versions often contain fillers and anti-caking agents. Freshly grating a block of parmesan cheese gives a purer product and finer texture.
Is parmesan cheese safe for a baby with lactose intolerance?
Parmesan cheese is naturally very low in lactose because it is aged for a long time, so many people with lactose intolerance tolerate it. Parmesan cheese still contains milk protein, so it is not safe for a baby with a milk allergy.
The takeaway
- Babies can have parmesan cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and in small amounts.
- Finely grate a small pinch of parmesan and stir it into smooth foods like mashed vegetables, pureed lentils or smooth risotto so it melts 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)
- 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
Track every new food in your baby’s passport
Track the first 100 foods and the Top 9 allergens. 7 days free.
More dairy foods for babies
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.