Fresh cheeses for babies: how to introduce them in weaning?

There are many theories relating to weaning. Some well-founded, others less so. It is therefore normal for new parents to feel confused. A recurring doubt concerns fresh cheeses for babies. When and how to introduce them in the baby's nutrition? What are the most suitable types? Which ones to avoid? First of all, remember that weaning is an extremely delicate phase. When introducing the first complementary foods to milk around 6 months, it is important to ensure a complete and balanced supply of nutrients. But in addition to the strictly nutritional aspects, it should be emphasized that the first impact with food can have long-term influences on our child's food choices.

Why fresh cheeses for babies?

Cheese, like yogurt, is an excellent source of nutrients such as calcium, protein, phosphorus and riboflavin. Fresh baby cheeses can be introduced, in small quantities, from the age of about 6-9 months. To say this are the European guidelines for the feeding of infants and children up to three years, signed, among others, by the World Health Organization, and by the International Pediatric Association.

In that document it is also underlined that it is easier to guarantee a balanced diet by including products of animal origin in the diet. However, care must be taken not to overdo the protein and to control the consumption of salt and sugar. It is therefore important to ask the pediatrician for advice on the progressive introduction of foods.

Introduce fresh cheeses to weaning

Fresh cheeses for babies can be mixed with baby food and later also on their own as a "second course". As a reference dose, you can start by adding a teaspoon of soft fresh cheese to the first vegetable creams a couple of times a week. Around 8-9 months, the portion can reach around 30 g, always a couple of times a week. Be careful to follow the correct methods of storing cheeses. Around 12 months, the indicative dose of fresh cheese will be 40 g, 2-3 times a week. In addition to this, we emphasize that a teaspoon of grated cheese (5 g) can also be added to the baby food every day. We remind you that these are general indications. The pediatrician of trust will be able to give all the specific nutritional advice to each newborn.

Such as fresh cheeses for babies

Among the first fresh cheeses that can be introduced into the diet there are, for example, crescenza, stracchino, robiola, ricotta ... If we melt them in the baby food, we pay attention to the formation of lumps or strands: not all children like them immediately. There are also on the market cheeses for babies with a calibrated lipid content produced specifically for weaning.It is important to try to introduce the child to the greatest number of different flavors and textures, always with a proactive attitude. In this way we will stimulate his curiosity. An important attention in choosing fresh cheeses for babies is to make sure, by reading the label, that they are made with pasteurized milk (a general rule that also applies to pregnant women).