Baby yogurt

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Let's talk baby yogurt. I will guide you through introducing yogurt to babies, what to look for when buying baby yogurt, the nutrition yogurt provides and ultimately what is the best yogurt for babies and toddlers.

A small bowl of yogurt with baby spoons, a pink sippy cup and a floral bib.

When can babies have yogurt?

Ultimately you can introduce yogurt to your baby when they are at an age that is developmentally ready to introduce solids.

The WHO, AAP, European Food Safety Authority, and The Australian and New Zealand food safety guidelines all have guidelines on the appropriate age for babies to start solids. These all vary and can change over time, so be sure to check with the current guidelines in your country.

Yogurt is a dairy product made from cow's milk.

Current guidelines from allergy professional bodies around the world including the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy ASCIA, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology AAAI, and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology EAACI

State there is no evidence that delaying the introduction of potential allergen foods such as cow's milk protein (which is found in yogurt) reduces the risk of allergy, and that these foods can be introduced into the diet when the introduction of complementary foods commences.

  • When your baby is developmentally ready to start solids
  • When your baby is of an age that the guidelines in your country state it is safe to begin solids
  • This is typically at or around 6 months of age

If your baby already has been diagnosed food allergies then the advice can differ, so check with your healthcare professional and your local dietary guidleines.


A baby with yogurt around their mouth in a blue baby outfit.

Why can babies have yogurt but not milk?

There can be a lot of confusion about when you can introduce cow's milk to babies.

The thing is, you can introduce cow's milk to your baby in complementary foods when you start them on solids.

Cow's milk should not be used to replace breast milk or infant formula as a milk feed before one year of age, but as a complementary food it is fine for there to be cow's milk in the meals and snacks you offer your baby (as long as there are no adverse reactions).

As I mentioned above yogurt is a dairy product and therefore made from cows


Which yogurt to choose?

It can be difficult to navigate the yogurt section of the supermarket when you are on the hunt for the best yogurt for your baby. There are so many brands, flavours and packaging types.

Ultimately you should look for:

  • A full-fat plain yogurt
  • with no added sugar

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A baby messily spoon feeding themselves yogurt.

Is plain yogurt healthy for babies?

Let's talk about the health benefits of yogurt. Unsweetened full-fat plain yogurt is full of nutrients, it is a good source of

  • Calcium,
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin D

It is also a source of protein while being low in sugar and sodium

Yogurt can also be a source of probiotics depending on the brand and manufacturing process.

Baby yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt

In some countries, you may see yogurt marketers specifically as 'baby yogurt'. This is generally a marketing ploy, and if you check the nutritional panel and ingredients list you may find that the baby yogurt actually contains added sugar. A full fat unsweetened yogurt is the best choice for your baby.


What about Dairy Free Options?

As I discussed earlier babies can typically have cows milk-based yogurt, however, there are some times when a dairy-free alternative would be needed. Babies with a diagnosed cows milk protein allergy should of course not be offered regular yoghurt.

Dairy-free yogurts are available and include: (this is a rapidly developing product space though, so I see more and more types becoming available)

  • Coconut yogurt
  • Soy yogurt
  • Cashew based yogurt
  • Almond milk-based yogurt
  • Oat and Rice based yogurt

Depending on the ingredients used to make the diary free yogurt, they can have quite a different nutrient profile to cows milk yogurt, so it is worth checking the nutritional panel to see if they provide a source of protein, calcium, and Vitamin D.

How to serve yogurt to your baby

On a spoon:

A small bowl of plain yogurt with a baby spoon next to a sippy cup.

Pre-loaded spoons: If you are on a baby-led weaning journey you can still serve your baby yogurt on a spoon, pre-load short-handled spoons with yogurt and let your baby self-feed and explore the yogurt.

Three short handled baby spoons loaded with yogurt.

As a dip: Let your child dip soft fruits (ripe pears, banana, or cooked apples cut into batons) into yogurt

A piece of banana cut into a baton being held

A savoury experience: Don't forget yogurt can also be a savoury delight, it can be a marinade to meat, a dip for soft vegetables and meat, or a side to a curry

A bowl of yogurt dip with a platter of vegetable batons.

In smoothies:

Healthy fruit breakfast smoothies for kids, easy recipes with loaded with healthy fats and grains

In baked goods: Pancakes, Muffins

A kebab made of pancakes and banana slices on a blue silicone baby plate.
Banana Oat Pancakes made with Greek Yoghurt.

Flavorings for Baby Yogurt

If you do want to offer flavored yogurt to your baby then fruit and homemade fruit purees is one of the best ways of doing this try:

Please be aware that if your child is under one year of age then honey is not a suitable sweetener and should not be added to yogurt.

Yogurt swirled with apple puree and a dusting of cinnamon
Yogurt swirlled with apple puree and a dusting of cinnamon

FAQs

Is Greek yogurt or regular yogurt better for babies?

Greek yogurt or greek style yogurt is yogurt that is strained, this removes excess liquid (whey) resulting in a thicker and creamier texture. Greek yogurt typically has a higher protein content, while regular yogurt has a higher calcium content, both are low in sugar and salt making them suitable for babies.

Why can babies have dairy products like yogurt and cheese but not cows' milk?

.Cow's milk and dairy products can in fact be introduced to your baby in complementary meals and snacks offered to your baby when they start solids. It is however not advised by dietary guidelines to substitute breast milk feeds or infant formula feeds with cows' milk until babies are over one year of age.

Can I give my baby any type of yogurt?

Babies should be offered full-fat, non-sweetened yogurt.


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