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Skyr on a plate
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Dairy Food Library

When can babies have skyr?

Can babies have skyr?

Babies can have plain, unsweetened skyr from about 6 months. Skyr is a thick, Icelandic-style cultured dairy food, similar to strained yogurt, and is very high in protein. Skyr is made from milk and is a common dairy allergen.

Start at6 months
Choking riskLow
Top 9 allergenDairy

How to serve skyr by age

Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.

Stage 1

6 months

Offer plain, unsweetened skyr on a spoon or preloaded spoon, loosened with a little breast milk, formula or water if it is very thick. Stir in smooth fruit puree for flavor, and let your baby explore it with their hands if they like.

Stage 2

7–8 months

Serve plain skyr thicker now, with fork-mashed fruit stirred in, or swirled into lumpy oatmeal. It also works as a dip for soft fruit and vegetable strips that squash easily between your fingers.

Stage 3

9–12 months

Serve skyr as a dip for soft fruit and vegetable strips, swirl it into oatmeal, or spread it on pancakes. Babies can practice with a spoon you hand them.

Stage 4

12 months +

Toddlers can have plain skyr with chopped fruit, in smoothies or as a base for dips and sauces. Keep choosing plain skyr and add your own fruit instead of buying sweetened cups.

Why it’s good

Skyr is rich in protein, calcium, iodine, vitamin B12 and phosphorus, and many brands contain live cultures. Much skyr is made from skim milk, so look for whole milk skyr when you can, since babies need fat for growth. Skyr is not a source of iron.

Goes well with

Safety notes

  1. Choose plain, unsweetened skyr. Flavored skyr often contains added sugar, which is best avoided before age 2.
  2. Many skyr brands are nonfat. Prefer whole milk skyr for babies, or pair low-fat skyr with fat-rich foods.
  3. Only serve skyr made from pasteurized milk.
  4. Very thick skyr can coat the mouth; thin it if your baby struggles.
  5. Check that the label does not contain honey, which babies under 12 months should not have.
How to cut every food by age
Top 9 allergen · Dairy

Introduce skyr on its own, then keep it in

Skyr is a dairy food made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 allergens. Offer a small amount first and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and keep dairy in the diet once tolerated.

Allergen plan

Skyr for babies: questions parents ask

Quick answers about skyr for babies and toddlers.

When can babies have skyr?

Babies can have skyr from about 6 months, as long as it is plain and unsweetened. Skyr can be offered on a spoon or mixed with fruit.

Can babies have skyr?

Yes, babies can eat plain skyr. Skyr is high in protein and calcium, and whole milk versions provide fat for growth.

Is skyr a choking hazard for babies?

No, skyr is a low choking risk for babies because it is smooth and spoonable. Very thick skyr can be thinned with breast milk, formula or whole cow's milk or water if it seems to coat your baby's mouth.

Is skyr a common allergen?

Yes, skyr is a common allergen because it is made from cow's milk. Introduce skyr in a small amount and watch for signs of an allergic reaction.

How do I serve skyr to a 6 month old?

To serve skyr to a 6 month old, offer a spoonful of plain, unsweetened skyr on a preloaded spoon, thinned if needed and mixed with mashed fruit. Let your baby explore it with their hands, too.

Is skyr the same as yogurt?

Skyr is similar to strained Greek yogurt but is traditionally made with different cultures and strained even more, so it is thicker and higher in protein. Skyr and yogurt can be used the same way for babies.

Is nonfat skyr okay for babies?

Nonfat skyr is okay for babies occasionally, but whole milk skyr is a better choice because babies need dietary fat. If you can only find nonfat skyr, serve it with avocado, nut butter or other fat-rich foods.

Can babies have flavored skyr?

Babies are better off with plain skyr than flavored skyr, which usually has added sugar. Sweeten plain skyr with mashed banana, berries or pear instead.

The takeaway

  • Babies can have plain, unsweetened skyr from about 6 months.
  • Offer plain, unsweetened skyr on a spoon or preloaded spoon, loosened with a little breast milk, formula or water 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.

Sources

This guide follows current advice from these organizations.

  1. Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
  2. When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  3. Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  4. Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  5. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
  6. 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.