From what age can cheese be given to children?

Cheese is a well-liked and wholesome food that a lot of parents wish to include in their kids’ diets. However, in order to prevent any potential digestive or allergy problems, it’s crucial to know when and how to safely serve cheese to young children.

Timing is important because introducing cheese too soon can result in discomfort or allergic reactions. When is a good time for parents to start putting cheese in their child’s food?

The best kinds of cheese for kids, how to incorporate cheese into their diet, and when to introduce it will all be covered in this article.

What is useful

• It is a source of proteins from which children receive the whole spectrum of amino acids important for their body.
• Rich in calcium and contains several times more than cottage cheese and other dairy products.
• Among the vitamin composition, there are especially many vitamins E, D, group B, A and PP.
• In addition to calcium, the product contains phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, sulfur and many other mineral salts.
• Fatty acids have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, brain function and internal organs.
• Nutritional substances are well absorbed in the body, helping the child to grow and develop normally.
• Inclusion in the children"s menu helps to expand the taste palette and diversify dishes for babies.
• Since cheese is a hard product, chewing it will stimulate the development of the child"s jaw apparatus.
• Helps quickly cope with hunger and gives a boost of energy. It is recommended for children who are underweight.

Children who are intolerant to lactose can consume hard cheese because, during the manufacturing process, lactose is incorporated into the whey, where it is subsequently broken down by bacteria as the cheese ripens.

Once a child has begun eating solid foods and does not exhibit any symptoms of a dairy allergy, cheese can typically be introduced to them between the ages of 9 and 12 months. Pasteurized, mild varieties should be served in small portions; as the child gets used to the taste and texture, the amount should be gradually increased. Before introducing new foods to your child, always check with your pediatrician to make sure they meet their nutritional needs.

Disadvantages

• Since cheese is classified as a high-protein product, its use is not recommended for kidney diseases.
• They should not be included in the diet of children with diseases of the digestive tract. They can cause constipation.
• It is a source of cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, so its significant presence in the human diet contributes to metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
• Excess salt in cheese can provoke fluid retention after its consumption, and also negatively affects kidney function.
• Some children develop allergies, which can manifest as an upset stomach, skin rashes, asthma attacks, itchy skin, nausea, fever and other symptoms. A high risk of allergic reactions is noted in children under one year old, so it is best to offer cheese to a one-year-old child, and if the baby has a tendency to allergies, then introducing such a product should be postponed to an even later date. With age, the intestinal walls become more resistant to the penetration of allergens, and the child"s immunity is strengthened, which leads to a decrease in the risk of allergies.
• If the recommended daily portion is exceeded, obesity may develop. Due to the high calorie content, such dairy products are given in small quantities.
• High fat content in many children provokes nausea, loose stools or intestinal colic. Such symptoms can appear after eating fatty cheese even in small quantities.

Continue reading below.

From what age can you give?

Although cheeses have many beneficial properties, most pediatricians advise against giving them to children younger than 10 or 12 months of age. This is because the first year of life presents a high protein and mineral content that the kidneys cannot handle. This is the reason a child under the age of nine months should not receive the product. The infant should be given the first piece no earlier than 10 months, ideally as early as 1 year.

Types

Although we have a wide selection of cheeses in our stores, many of them are not suitable for young children.

First of all, cheese shouldn’t be fed to infants:

• With mold. Its use threatens the child with allergies or poisoning, as well as such a dangerous infectious disease as listeriosis. And therefore, these varieties are not advised to give children to at least up to 7 years of age, and some doctors recommend postponing acquaintance with such soft cheeses up to 12 years.
• Smoked. The way it is made makes it harmful for children and deprives it of many useful substances. It should not be included in the diet of children earlier than 6-7 years.
• Too spicy. It can negatively affect the digestive tract of a child.
• Processed. Neither curds in foil nor creamy processed cheeses are suitable for feeding children, because they are very salty and excessively fatty. In addition, they are made from waste, so they are not recommended for either children or adults.
• Brine, for example, feta, Adyghe, feta or suluguni. During the production process, these types of cheese are kept in brine, as a result of which the product acquires a salty taste. However, excess salt is harmful to a small child, so they are not suitable for a children"s menu.
• With various additives, for example, with nuts or pepper.
• Cheese product. To reduce the cost, they add components that are harmful to children, so they cannot be labeled as "cheese" on the label. It is not advisable to give such products to children.

Additionally, you shouldn’t give kids fatty cheeses like Russian, Edam, or Gouda that adults consume. They are not suitable for a child under a year old’s diet because they contain more than 45–50% fat.

Up to 30–35% of cheese’s fat content is thought to be the ideal for children. Give hard and semi-hard cheese to babies. It is advised that children consume products such as Cheddar, Altermani, Maasdam, Mozzarella, or Ricotta that have the least amount of salt.

Special products meant for children are thought to be the best choice when feeding a child (with the appropriate mark). This type of cheese is distinguished by its low fat and low salt content.

How to choose

When purchasing cheese for a child, consider the product’s freshness and composition. Flavor enhancers, colorings, emulsifiers, flavorings, or other additives shouldn’t be present in the product. Make sure to taste the product, smell it, and always check the expiration dates.

Don’t cut corners on the product your child will consume because inexpensive cheese is frequently of poor quality and might be spoiled or underripe. Examine the packaging as well. It is best to purchase products in polypropylene packaging (PP) rather than products packaged in polystyrene (PS), which is not advised for use with small children.

How to introduce complementary foods

If your child is 10 to 11 months old, you can offer him a small piece of cheese product as an introduction. Feed the baby hard cheese in the morning and observe how they respond to the new food during the day. You can permanently incorporate it into the baby’s diet if the test results in no health issues.

Should the cheese your child be eating be highly salted, it is best to soak it in fresh water for two to three hours. While waiting, periodically change the water and cover the cheese with fresh, cold water. The product can then be presented to the infant. The product won’t hurt the child’s body, even though its flavor will change and it will become more bland.

How much to give?

• A small amount of cheese 2-3 times a week is enough for a child under one year old. Let each portion be no larger than a pea. At one year, the daily amount is 5 grams, but it is still not worth giving such a product every day. Just two or three “cheese” days a week are enough.
• When the child turns 1.5 years old, the daily portion can be increased to 10-15 g, and from the age of two, you can give about 20 g per day such a product. It is recommended to give hard cheese to a child in the first years of life in grated form. It can be grated into vegetable dishes or omelettes, and also added to casseroles.

Fruits and cheeses go well together and don’t affect one another’s ability to digest. However, combining cheese with meat or butter in a single dish is not recommended for kids younger than three years old because these foods are high in fat and protein, which puts more strain on the youngster’s body. Cheeses can be given to children individually starting at age three, both in slices and on sandwiches.

Many children over three enjoy the pairing of cheese and bread, but you don’t have to push if your child refuses sandwiches. Tastes evolve with time, and this snack option will be a hit for him now that he’s in school. Taking it for a stroll or giving it to the child to bring to school is convenient.

When added to a child’s diet at the appropriate age, cheese can be a wholesome and nourishing food. The majority of experts concur that babies can start receiving cheese between the ages of 9 and 12 months, provided they have previously been introduced to other solid foods and dairy products.

Start with mild varieties of cheese when serving it, and keep an eye out for any indications of allergies or digestive problems. Because of the potential for bacteria, soft cheeses should be avoided at first; however, pasteurized, harder cheeses are usually safer.

To make sure your child is eating a balanced and nutritious diet, you can progressively increase the variety of cheeses in their diet as they get older. Any worries or inquiries you may have regarding your child’s nutritional requirements should always be directed to your pediatrician.

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