Dairy Food Library
When can babies have Swiss cheese?
Can babies have Swiss cheese?
Babies can have pasteurized Swiss cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into smooth foods, with thin slices from 7–8 months. Swiss cheese is one of the lower-sodium hard cheeses, which makes it a good everyday cheese for babies. Swiss cheese is made from cow's milk and is a common dairy allergen.
How to serve Swiss cheese by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Grate pasteurized Swiss cheese finely and melt a little into warm smooth foods like mashed potato, cauliflower puree or oatmeal so it blends in completely. Offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Offer a thin, wide slice of Swiss cheese about the size of two adult fingers, or melt shredded Swiss into scrambled eggs, lumpier mashed potatoes or a thin quesadilla cut into strips.
9–12 months
Serve shredded Swiss or thin, small pieces about the size of a pea for pincer practice. Avoid cubes, which are firm and can block the airway.
12 months +
Toddlers can have thin slices or shreds of Swiss in sandwiches, pasta and eggs. Keep slices thin and avoid thick chunks until chewing is strong.
Why it’s good
Swiss cheese gives babies protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B12. Swiss cheese is lower in sodium than most aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan.
Safety notes
- Cheese cubes and thick chunks are a choking hazard. Slice Swiss cheese thinly or shred it.
- Melted Swiss can form stringy, sticky globs. Cool melted cheese and spread or cut it thin.
- Choose pasteurized Swiss cheese, which is standard in US stores. Some imported cheeses are made from raw milk.
- Keep cheese to small portions so there is room for iron-rich foods, fruits and vegetables.
Introduce swiss cheese on its own, then keep it in
Swiss cheese is made from cow's milk, one of the Top 9 allergens. Introduce a small amount and watch for hives, vomiting, swelling, coughing or wheezing, and keep dairy in the diet regularly once tolerated.
Swiss cheese for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about Swiss cheese for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have Swiss cheese?
Babies can have pasteurized Swiss cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into smooth foods, then in thin slices or shreds from about 7–8 months. Swiss cheese is a lower-sodium cheese, so it is a good choice for babies.
Can babies have Swiss cheese?
Yes, babies can eat Swiss cheese as long as it is pasteurized and cut safely. Swiss cheese is mild and nutty, which many babies enjoy.
Is Swiss cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Swiss cheese can be a choking hazard when cut into cubes or thick chunks, or when served as sticky melted globs. Thin slices and fine shreds are much safer.
Is Swiss cheese a common allergen?
Yes, Swiss cheese is a common allergen because it is made from cow's milk. Introduce Swiss cheese in a small amount and watch for signs of a reaction.
How do I serve Swiss cheese to a 6 month old?
To serve Swiss cheese to a 6 month old, finely grate it and melt a little into a warm, smooth food like mashed potato or oatmeal, then offer it on a spoon. A thin, wide slice can follow at 7–8 months. Avoid cubes and thick chunks.
Is Swiss cheese low in sodium?
Yes, Swiss cheese is one of the lowest-sodium hard cheeses, with much less salt than cheddar, feta or parmesan. Swiss cheese is a good everyday cheese for babies.
How much cheese can a baby eat?
A baby can have a small amount of cheese most days, such as a thin slice or a tablespoon of shreds. Too much cheese can fill a baby up and crowd out iron-rich foods.
Can Swiss cheese cause constipation in babies?
Large amounts of cheese can contribute to firmer stools in some babies. Pair Swiss cheese with fruit, vegetables and whole grains and offer water with meals.
The takeaway
- Babies can have pasteurized Swiss cheese from about 6 months, finely grated and melted into smooth foods, with thin slices from 7–8 months.
- Grate pasteurized Swiss cheese finely and melt a little into warm smooth foods like mashed potato, cauliflower puree or oatmeal so it blends in completely.
- 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)
- 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.