The question of which dairy products to introduce to your baby arises around 5 months of age (see here the monthly food diversification chart). Before that, whether breastfed or formula-fed, milk fulfills all of baby’s needs. However, as their requirements evolve, it becomes crucial to provide a well-rounded diet.
First and foremost, please note that this article reflects my personal choices as a mother, based on my research and advice from my pediatrician. I am not making any specific recommendations as I do not intend to substitute for a nutritionist or pediatrician. I am sharing my personal experience only.
Choosing the right dairy products has not been an easy task for me. Milk, in general, has sparked controversies in recent months and years. Supporters argue that it is essential for a baby’s growth due to the calcium it provides.
After conducting extensive research, I decided to keep it simple and avoid unnecessary risks:
1 – I have steered clear of flavored Petit-Suisse products as they often contain food coloring. Instead, adding a little fruit can provide a pleasant additional taste.
2 – I have not opted for specialized baby dairy products. Personally, I find it hard to trust dairy products that do not require refrigeration. I understand that these products have different compositions designed specifically for babies, but I was raised on similar dairy products as adults and have enjoyed good health so far!
Here are the dairy products I have chosen.
Yogurt for Babies
I have selected plain, smooth yogurts such as VeloutĂ© nature or Perle de lait (french brands). These yogurts are mild and less acidic, making them easy for the baby to accept without added sugar (as mentioned in my article on food diversification, we should avoid adding sugar to a baby’s diet). Choosing unbranded yogurts with the same composition is perfectly fine! Brand-name yogurts are essentially the same, just more expensive due to marketing budgets.
Petit-Suisse for Babies
Similar to yogurts, unbranded Petit-Suisse products can be a suitable choice. I prefer Petit-Suisse with the little paper wrapper around them – you know what I mean! However, these can be slightly more acidic than smooth yogurts mentioned earlier. To counterbalance the acidity, mixing with a little fruit or adding some applesauce is recommended.
Flavored Petit-Suisse products are often loved by babies but unfortunately contain food coloring. While it is not necessary to exclude them entirely from a baby’s diet, it is advisable to offer them occasionally.
Cheese for babies
Ah, cheese and babies! I was somewhat apprehensive about introducing cheese to my baby’s diet, but I tried something different. I started by blending pasteurized goat cheese to add flavor to my baby’s meals (as discussed in my zucchini, goat cheese, and ham puree recipe for baby).
On another occasion, I grated Swiss cheese and melted it into a vegetable soup. A small tip for this: grate the cheese finely and add it while the dish is still warm. Otherwise, the little cheese strips may accumulate in the baby’s mouth, leading to a sudden mouthful of cheese!
In any case, it is advisable to choose pasteurized cheeses for babies (up to 12 months old). Remember when you were pregnant (or your partner was) and everyone kept saying, “Sorry, I can’t give you that cheese; it’s made from raw milk…”? I certainly remember (grrr…), and it was to avoid the risk of listeriosis. Babies are also delicate beings, so let’s protect them from such risks, please.
That being said, there can be a small exception for cheeses made from raw milk but are cooked or pressed (such as Comté or Beaufort).
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These are the dairy products I have chosen. I hope sharing my experience on this topic can be helpful. Once again, do not hesitate to discuss these points with your pediatrician as they are the only ones who can provide tailored guidance regarding your baby’s food diversification journey.
Find all the recommended quantities and servings of dairy products to give to your baby per day in my food diversification chart.
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