Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Aaron
Yes, mozzarella cheese is safe to introduce as soon as babies start to eat solids. It’s generally much lighter than most other cheeses and is therefore good to start with.
Mozzarella is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavor and soft texture that makes it easy to digest. According to NHS, babies can eat full-fat pasteurized cheese from 6 months old, so you can include full-fat and part-skim mozzarella cheese in your baby’s diet. Be mindful that most ‘low-moisture’ mozzarella is salty, It is important to use reduced sodium or fresh mozzarella for less salt.
Make sure it’s thin slices or strips to avoid choking when swallowing. Also, mozzarella can get rubbery, stringy and chewy if heated so make sure to watch closely while they eat and don’t give them large pieces of cheese. If you want it less rubbery, try cottage cheese or cream cheese. You can serve mozzarella cheese to your baby with pasta on a preloaded spoon, sandwiches or as a snack.
For a baby’s first cheese experience, it is recommended to mix finely grated or mashed mozzarella with potatoes vegetable puree or sauce. Mozzarella can also be added diced to soups and pasta dishes, giving them a delicious cheesy flavour.
Overall, mozzarella is quite healthy and safe for babies. It is packed with essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, phosphorus and vitamin B12 which are important for the baby’s development.
