Why Consider Dairy Products for Your Baby After 6 Months
By: Ibu Odit CEO PT. Pasti Enak
When your baby reaches 6 months, breast milk alone no longer provides enough nutrition. At this stage, babies begin exploring solid foods, and dairy can play a helpful role in supporting growth, flavor exploration, and digestive development.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Dairy as Part of MPASI
Before introducing dairy, make sure your baby shows clear readiness cues. Many babies are ready when they can hold their head steady, show interest in food, open their mouth for a spoon, and demonstrate a reduced tongue‑thrust reflex. These signs indicate that they can safely begin tasting soft dairy foods.
What Dairy Products Can I Give My Baby at 6 Months?
Your baby’s digestive system is still adapting to solid foods. Early on, it works more gently and gradually becomes stronger as your baby approaches 12 months. Because of this natural progression, younger babies need softer, milder, and lower‑lactose dairy products.
Start With Soft, Mild Dairy
Begin with full‑fat, unsweetened plain yogurt. Labneh or Greek yogurt also works well because they offer a smooth texture and a good source of protein. These options introduce dairy gently while supporting digestion.
Move Into Mild, Semi‑Firm Cheeses
After yogurt, you can offer mild cheeses such as mozzarella, gouda, whole‑milk ricotta, or cottage cheese. Choose whole‑milk ricotta, not traditional hand‑dipped ricotta, because the hand‑dipped version contains more lactose and may be harder for young babies to digest.
PT. Pasti Enak Dairy Recommendations by Age
6 Months and Up: Starter Dairy
Begin with Labneh. Thin it with a little breast milk or formula, then gradually reduce the added liquid until it reaches its natural thickness. This slow transition helps your baby adjust to firmer textures.
Once your baby enjoys labneh at full thickness, introduce their first cheese: Ricotta Whole Milk or Mozzarella Fior di Latte. Some babies prefer the light flavor of mozzarella, while others enjoy the milky taste of ricotta. Offer these cheeses in moderation. For a 6‑month‑old, two teaspoons per day is enough. You can slowly increase the amount as their digestive system strengthens.
9 Months and Up: Mild, Medium‑Aged Cheeses
By 9 months, many babies can handle firmer cheeses. Choose mild, medium‑aged varieties because aging naturally reduces lactose, making them easier to digest. Good options include:
- Low Moisture Mozzarella
- Monterey Jack
- Provolone
- Gouda
- Chevre
Can I Give My Baby Any Dairy Product?
Not all dairy products are suitable for babies. For safety and digestive comfort, choose dairy that meets all of the following guidelines:
- The product should contain only milk, salt, bacterial cultures, and rennet. Avoid chemicals, flavorings, colorings, sweeteners, preservatives, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. Please take the time to read the label.
- Choose dairy made in a BPOM‑approved facility. Look for producers who prioritize quality and safety. PT. Pasti Enak follows this philosophy closely.
- Select products made from pasteurized fresh milk.
- Portion dairy into clean containers and freeze it, or share it with your baby and finish it within two weeks. Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination.
- Avoid mold‑ripened cheeses such as camembert, brie, saint patrick, or blue cheeses. The molds can cause digestive discomfort.
- Avoid washed‑rind cheeses like munster, tomme, ILY, raclette, matahari, or maja. The washes may irritate a baby’s stomach.
- Skip flavored cheeses until your baby is at least 12 months old. The added ingredients may not be suitable for infants.
What Else Should I Keep in Mind?
This part reflects my personal philosophy compared to the scientific reasoning above.
Food becomes more meaningful when it’s shared. Many of our most cherished memories come from meals enjoyed with loved ones. These early bites of yogurt, labneh, or cheese can become special moments for you and your baby. Enjoy a small yogurt together at home or share a cheese snack during a family outing. These simple rituals can strengthen your bond and create memories that last long after your baby grows into adulthood.