Can babies have yogurt? It is one of the first questions parents ask once purees are going well, often while standing in the dairy aisle looking at dozens of tubs, cups and pouches. Breast milk or formula is still your baby’s main food in the first year, so any solids fit around those feeds, as our baby feeding schedule by age explains.
The confusing part is that you also hear “no cow’s milk before 12 months.” Yogurt is made from cow’s milk, so is it allowed or not? Here is what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC actually say, and how to pick the right tub with confidence. For more on breast milk, formula and solids, browse our feeding guides.
Quick answer: can babies have yogurt?
Yes. The AAP says most babies can begin eating dairy foods around 6 months, after a few first solid foods have been introduced. It calls plain, whole-fat or whole Greek yogurt a good first form of cow’s milk protein. Choose yogurt without added sugar, and keep cow’s milk as a drink for after 12 months.
Why yogurt is OK but a cup of cow’s milk is not
The AAP’s drink guidance lists no cow’s milk for babies 6 to 12 months. Its reasons: cow’s milk has high levels of protein and minerals that can stress a baby’s immature kidneys, it is low in iron and other nutrients babies need, and its protein can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestine. The CDC adds that cow’s milk before 12 months may put babies at risk for intestinal bleeding.
Those concerns are about cow’s milk taking the place of breast milk or formula as a drink. A few spoonfuls of yogurt as a solid food is different. The AAP notes that while whole cow’s milk is not recommended before 1 year, you may introduce processed dairy such as whole milk yogurt or Greek yogurt. The CDC also lists “dairy without added sugars,” including pasteurized yogurts and cheeses, among the foods to encourage from 6 to 12 months.
How to choose and serve yogurt
You do not need a special “baby” yogurt. Use this label checklist, based on AAP and CDC guidance:
| On the label | Look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Plain | The CDC lists flavored yogurts as a food with added sugars. |
| Nutrition Facts: Added Sugars | 0 g | The CDC says infants and young children have no room in their diet for added sugars. |
| Fat | Whole milk or whole-fat | The AAP names plain, whole-fat or whole Greek yogurt as a good first choice. |
| Pasteurized | Yes | The CDC warns unpasteurized yogurt may carry harmful bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea. |
Then serve it simply:
- Wait until your baby has already tried a few first foods, as the AAP suggests.
- Offer it on a spoon, plain or stirred with a fruit your baby has already eaten. The AAP gives this as an example.
- Skip the honey. The CDC says honey before 12 months may cause infant botulism.
- Watch your baby after the first tastes, and treat yogurt like any other new food.
If you are still planning the next foods to try, our list of best first foods for babies at 6 months shows where dairy fits next to iron-rich foods, vegetables and fruit.
Related: can babies have cottage cheese? When to start, what to buy.
When to talk to your doctor
Cow’s milk is one of the most common food allergens, according to the AAP. The AAP advises watching for reactions such as diarrhea, rash or vomiting after a new food. If you see them, stop that food and call your pediatrician. In babies, the AAP also lists eye rubbing, repeatedly sticking the tongue out, excessive crying, back arching and decreased muscle tone as possible signs. Our guide to allergies in babies covers the other common triggers.
Call 911 right away if your baby shows signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), such as wheezing, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling, unusually pale skin or loss of consciousness. If your child has been prescribed epinephrine, the AAP says to give it right away and then call 911.
Talk to your pediatrician before offering yogurt if your baby has eczema or a family history of allergies, as the AAP recommends checking first in those cases.
Frequently asked questions
Can babies have Greek yogurt?
Yes. The AAP names plain, whole Greek yogurt alongside regular whole-fat yogurt as a good first form of cow’s milk protein. The same label rules apply: plain, whole-fat, pasteurized and 0 g added sugars.
Are flavored yogurts or yogurts made for babies OK?
Read the label first. The AAP advises avoiding the added sugar commonly found in yogurt marketed to babies and toddlers, and the CDC lists flavored yogurts as a source of added sugars. Plain yogurt mixed with a fruit your baby already eats gives flavor without added sugar.
Is a tummy upset after yogurt a milk allergy or lactose intolerance?
They are different. The AAP explains that lactose intolerance is trouble digesting the sugar in milk, while a milk allergy is an immune reaction. Only your pediatrician can tell which one it is, so stop the yogurt and call if your baby has symptoms. The AAP notes most milk allergies go away by age 5.
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Sources
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Cow’s Milk Alternatives: Parent FAQs
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): When to Introduce Egg, Peanut Butter & Other Common Food Allergens to a Baby
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Why Do Infants Need Baby Formula Instead of Cow’s Milk?
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Food Allergies in Children
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, talk to your pediatrician.