Babies don’t need any dairy beyond mother’s milk (or formula, if need be) until they’re 9-12 months old, at which point they may require protein from other sources. Some people do choose to introduce yogurt as early as 6 months, which is fine too. Since yogurt is cultured and contains probiotics, it’s safe for babies over 6 months.
Plain, organic, whole milk yogurt is the best choice for baby, since it has no added sugar and the most nutritional bang for mom’s buck. When I start feeding Lucy yogurt (sometime in the next month or two), it will be a mixture of these brands, which I already love and trust:
1. Stonyfield Farm YoBaby in Simply Plain. There’s nothing baby-specific in this yogurt, but it comes in convenient individual containers, which is nice for on-the-go snacks. Four ounces is too big of a serving for a baby, but it’s a great size for toddlers and older children, and you can easily save (refrigerated of course) what your baby doesn’t eat for a little later.
2. Straus Organic Plain Whole Milk Yogurt. One of my favorite brands of dairy, Straus produces a European style yogurt which is a little thinner and a little more sour than the American plain yogurt you might be used to. It’s absolutely delicious, and the consistency is great for babies who don’t care for thicker foods.
3. Brown Cow Cream Top Plain. This brand is American Humane Certified, which means the cows who produce the milk for this yogurt are well-treated and sustainably raised. Brown Cow’s flavored cream top yogurts are pretty tempting, but stick to their plain version for your baby.
4. Clover Organic Farms Cream on Top Plain. Also American Humane Certified, Clover’s farms in Northern California give dairy cows a very happy life – which translates to a very delicious yogurt that you can feed your baby without guilt. (For you moms & dads – their Mocha and Tropical flavors make a killer dessert or afternoon pick-me-up!).
There are a handful of other companies that produce great plain yogurt. So if you don’t find these in your area, choose the local brand you like best – as long as it’s organic or sustainably produced, it’ll be a healthy choice for your baby.
Note – these are all yummy, nutritious yogurts for older kids and adults too!
9 Comments
Richard
October 30, 2011 at 2:18 pmYogurt is good for big babies, too. 🙂 Years ago, I stopped eating ice cream (too much fat and sugar), and started mixing Fage 2% yogurt with a few spoonfuls of organic blueberries and chopped walnuts. Stick it in the freezer for five minutes before eating, and you have something very close to real ice cream, and much healthier.
Amelia
October 31, 2011 at 4:56 pmGreat tip, Richard. Just because yogurt is healthy doesn’t mean it can’t be a treat!
Archana
March 5, 2014 at 2:14 pmMy baby loves my homemade organic whole-milk yogurt (without any added sugar). It is part of the Indian culture to make fresh yogurt right at home and use it in food preparations and curries. I just give it to him at room temperature right after lunch and he poops a few minutes later. It seems to be curing his chronic constipation naturally and I see myself using less of Miralax for him..
I know that it is a great source of Vitamin B12 (which is lacking in vegetarian diets), that it is an immune booster (great for colds, skin conditions) and an awesome bowel regulator aid (great for colon health). Cheap and healthy!
Rosalie lagrimas
March 11, 2015 at 6:32 amHi can i have your recipe on how to make home made yogurt? Would appreciate it.
Amelia Winslow
March 12, 2015 at 1:00 pmHi Rosalie, I don’t have a yogurt recipe on the blog, but I’ll let you know if I add one!
aubrey
July 16, 2016 at 11:39 ammy baby is on nutramigen formula and is 7 months old. do you all think it is okay to give him yo baby yogurt?
Amelia Winslow
July 21, 2016 at 3:23 pmHi Aubrey,
This is a great question for your pediatrician. Babies are on Nutramigen for different reasons, but often for a milk protein allergy – and if he does have one then he probably wouldn’t tolerate yogurt well. (This doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to eat it in the future). See what your pediatrician says about introducing yogurt at this age.
Nicole Spinelli
November 14, 2016 at 8:05 pmMy 6 month daughter been having food since 3 months, not allergic to anything. loves all types of fruits and veggies, she even love apple and cherries. is yogurt at this age is good for her?
Amelia Winslow
November 15, 2016 at 2:28 pmHi Nicole,
It’s recommended to start infants on food (beyond breastmilk or formula) around 6 months of age. Yogurt can be introduced at 6 months, but you can also wait until the baby has had a variety of fruits and vegetables first, then move onto protein-containing foods. I introduced plain, organic whole milk yogurt to my daughter around 8 months of age.