When can babies start eating cheese?

[Paddywhacks]

Thanks Jodi and Hollye for your responses.

There are so many 'do's & don'ts' out there I'm never really sure what to do!!

I'm always worried about what I feed him.

[Frangipani]

We've given our 8month old -Cameron cheese over the last week or so, first I started with some grated in his vegies. then as DH likes to just eat the sliced cheese on it's own, on the weekend he gave Cameron a slither and he ate it all. So far haven't had any problems and from memory at our parent class I remember them saying it was ok to introduce most things from 6months onwards (which I have done so slowly).

[Paddywhacks]

Thanks Bec7... I will give it a try then.

He hasn't had any reactions to any other foods I have trialled so he should be fine.

Great idea about mixing it in with his vegies. I never thought to do that!!

[Karina]

We have been giving Claire cheese from about 9 months old. She loves Cheese! Usually I just give her a slice of cheddar (real cheddar, not the plastic cheese although she does enjoy plastic cheese) and sometimes I give her some grated cheese. Grated cheese is easy for her to just pick up and shove in her mouth.

[MantaRay]

If there is a family history of dairy allergy, it's best to wait until 12 months. Usually though cheese and yoghurt are fine from 6 or 7 months. Be wary of cheese though - it is high in salt which is very bad for babies and children. The safe amount per day for babies is very low. Those processed so called children's cheeses are the worst too. You are better off buying tasty cheese like you would for yourself. And give it in small amounts. Easier said than done I know, my boys love cheese and want it all the time!!

[Beatrix]

i give my 10mths old a handful a grated cheese most days... she loves it!!

I have been giving it to her since she was bout 7mths as it was a easy food for her to feed herself and cleaned up pretty easy

[Paddywhacks]

Thanks ladies... You have all been very helpful!!

MantaRay... I was worried about high salt in cheese and that's what initially had me a bit worried. My son has been eating yoghurt since he was 6 months old and has had no reactions at all. It's his absolute favourite. If he is off his food at any given time, I just give him a yoghurt as I know he will eat it all!!

I think I will start him on chedder cheese then and give the 'plastic' kids stuff I bought a miss until I know for sure that he is ok with it.

Thanks again for all your responses.