TOP 8 Best Cheeses for Babies Under 1 Year Old to Start Solids

Cheese is a popular food enjoyed by many people worldwide. However, not everyone knows that cheese is also an important source of nutrition for baby's development, especially when they start solid foods. Properly introducing and feeding cheese to babies can enhance their immunity and provide essential nutrients for their growth. Let's explore the TOP 8 best cheeses for babies to start solids with Mytour Blog.

Nutritional Value of Cheese

Cheese is a dairy product that provides the body with essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and selenium.

• Protein: Cheese is a rich source of protein, especially types like Parmesan, Romano, and Swiss that contain higher protein content. Protein is an important nutrient for building and repairing tissues and cells in the body.
• Calcium: Cheese is an important source of calcium for the body. Calcium is a mineral essential for building and maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
• Vitamin B12: Cheese is one of the best sources of vitamin B12 for the body. Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for cell development and nervous system function.
• Selenium: Some types of cheese, such as Brazil cheese, provide selenium. Selenium is an essential nutrient that helps maintain immune function and protect the body from harmful environmental factors.

However, cheese also contains a lot of fat and cholesterol, so it should be consumed in moderation to avoid weight gain and health issues related to high cholesterol.

Suggested Types of Cheese for Babies Under 1 Year Old to Start Solids 

On the market, there is a variety of different cheese brands. Below, Mytour will introduce you to the TOP 8 most popular cheese brands that parents love nowadays.

Laughing Cow Cheese

Laughing Cow Cheese is a famous cheese brand in Vietnam, manufactured by Thanh Gia Dairy Co., Ltd. The company is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City and has a cheese production factory in Binh Duong province.

In terms of price, Laughing Cow Cheese is quite affordable, ranging from about 35,000 to 60,000 VND depending on the type of product and packaging weight. However, the specific prices may vary depending on the location and retail store.

Laughing Cow Cheese is produced from high-quality ingredients and undergoes strict control during the production process to ensure product quality. With its distinctive and diverse flavors, Laughing Cow Cheese has become a favorite choice for many consumers in Vietnam.

P’tit Louis Cheese

P’tit Louis Cheese is a famous cheese brand from France, manufactured at the production facilities of Savencia Fromage & Dairy Group. P’tit Louis is made from pure fresh cow's milk and adheres to strict quality standards, delivering excellent taste and quality to consumers.

The price of P’tit Louis Cheese varies depending on the product type and the place of purchase. In the US market, the price ranges from 5-10 USD per pack of cheese (about 150-300g). In European countries, the price of the product is equivalent to about 2-5 EUR per pack.

Vinamilk Cheese

Vinamilk Cheese is a product of Vinamilk Group – one of the largest dairy brands in Vietnam. This cheese is manufactured at Vinamilk's factories nationwide, ensuring freshness and food safety.

Vinamilk cheese comes in various types such as sliced cheese, cheese sticks, Tilsiter cheese, with prices ranging from 30,000 VND to 90,000 VND depending on the product type and packaging size.

Vinamilk cheese is a popular choice among Vietnamese consumers, favored for its good quality, diverse varieties, and affordable prices.

QBB Cheese

QBB Cheese is a well-known cheese brand in Vietnam, produced by Quang Ngai Dairy Company Limited. QBB's manufacturing plant is located in Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province.

QBB offers various types of cheese such as cheese sticks, cheese strings, grilled cheese, special cheese, and synthetic flavored cheese. The prices of QBB cheese products typically range from about 30,000 to 60,000 VND depending on the type of product and packaging weight.

Teama Cheese

Teama Cheese is a Vietnamese cheese brand, produced at the Teama Foods factory in Binh Duong. The price of Teama cheese ranges from about 30,000 to 50,000 VND for a 200g pack.

Belcube Cheese

Belcube Cheese is a cheese brand from Belgium, manufactured by Bel Leerdammer company. The product is produced at the company's factories in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The price of Belcube Cheese may vary depending on the location and distribution channel. However, typically, the price of this product is average compared to other cheese products on the market. In Europe, the price of Belcube Cheese is around 2-3 euros for a 150g pack of cheese.

In Vietnam, Belcube Cheese is distributed in supermarkets and convenience stores, with prices ranging from about 50,000 to 70,000 VND for a 150g pack of cheese. However, these prices may vary depending on the location and time of purchase.

Kiri Cheese

Kiri Cheese is a well-known cheese brand from France, owned by the Bel Group company. The product is manufactured in various factories of the company worldwide, including factories in France, Poland, Morocco, and other countries.

The price of Kiri Cheese may vary depending on the location and distribution channel. However, typically, the price of this product is average compared to other cheese products on the market. In Europe, the price of Kiri Cheese ranges from 1 to 2 euros for an 8 x 20g pack of cheese.

In Vietnam, Kiri Cheese is widely distributed in supermarkets and convenience stores, with prices ranging from about 30,000 to 50,000 VND for an 8 x 20g pack of cheese. However, these prices may also vary depending on the location and time of purchase.

Helio Fresh Fruit Cream Cheese

Helio Fresh Fruit Cream Cheese is a brand of the Dutch company FrieslandCampina, produced in the Netherlands.

The price of Helio Fresh Fruit Cream Cheese usually varies depending on the location and distribution channel. In supermarkets and convenience stores in Vietnam, the price of this product is typically between 30,000 and 40,000 VND for a 150g box of cream cheese.

However, this price may change depending on the location and time of purchase. Additionally, the price of this product may be higher than that of regular cream cheese products due to its uniqueness and high quality.

Optimal Time for Introducing Cream Cheese to Babies for Weaning

Cream cheese is a nutritious and nutrient-rich food, including calcium, protein, and various B vitamins. However, it is not recommended to introduce cream cheese to infants under 6 months old for weaning. Infants in this age range should be exclusively breastfed or formula-fed.

Once your baby reaches 6 months of age and is ready to start weaning, you can introduce cream cheese to them. However, it's important to note that cream cheese contains high levels of protein, and some babies may be allergic to these proteins. Therefore, start with a small amount of cream cheese to see if your baby accepts it, and if there are no signs of allergies, you can continue to include cream cheese in your baby's diet.

Moreover, when feeding cream cheese to your baby, opt for fresh varieties that are low in sugar and preservatives. It's also advisable to consult with a doctor or nutrition expert if you have any questions regarding your baby's dietary regimen.

Recommended Cream Cheese Intake for Babies

The amount of cream cheese to feed your baby depends on their age, weight, health, and eating habits. Consult with a doctor or nutrition expert to determine the appropriate amount of cream cheese for your baby.

However, it's important to feed cream cheese to your baby in moderation. Cream cheese is high in protein and fat, and overconsumption can lead to increased fat and calorie intake in your baby's diet, resulting in weight gain or obesity. Additionally, eating too much cream cheese can also cause digestive issues such as bloating, stomach pain, or constipation.

If your baby has never eaten cream cheese before, start with a small amount and observe whether they accept it or not. If your baby shows no allergic reactions and enjoys eating cream cheese, you can gradually increase the amount of cream cheese in their meals.

Common Mistakes When Feeding Cream Cheese to Babies

• Feeding cream cheese to your baby when they're too young: Children under 6 months old should not eat cream cheese. You should wait until your baby is 6 months old and ready to start solid foods before introducing cream cheese to them.
• Feeding your baby too much cream cheese: Cream cheese is high in fat and protein, so feeding your baby too much cream cheese can increase the fat and calorie intake in their diet, leading to weight gain or obesity.
• Choosing unhealthy cream cheese options: Some types of cream cheese contain high amounts of sugar or preservatives, which are not good for your baby's health. You should choose fresh cream cheese without preservatives.
• Feeding cream cheese to your baby too often: Cream cheese is a nutritious food, but you should not feed it to your baby too often. Babies need to be provided with a variety of foods to ensure nutritional balance.
• Not observing your baby's condition after feeding them cream cheese: Some children may be allergic to the proteins in cream cheese. You should observe your baby's condition after feeding them cream cheese to detect allergic reactions such as rashes, stomach pain, or difficulty breathing in a timely manner.
• Not maintaining hygiene when feeding cream cheese to your baby: You should maintain hygiene when feeding cream cheese to your baby by using clean utensils and washing your hands thoroughly before feeding them. Additionally, cream cheese should be properly stored to prevent contamination.

Considerations When Feeding Cream Cheese to Babies

• Choosing healthy cream cheese options for your baby: You should choose fresh cream cheese without preservatives and avoid cream cheese with high sugar content.
• Feeding cream cheese to your baby at the appropriate time: Your baby should be fed cream cheese when they reach 6 months old and have experience with solid foods.
• Testing with a small amount before feeding your baby more: You should feed your baby a small amount of cream cheese before feeding them more to check if they are allergic to cream cheese.
• Combining cream cheese with other foods: You should feed your baby cream cheese combined with vegetables, meat, or fruits to ensure nutritional balance.
• Maintaining hygiene when feeding cream cheese to your baby: You should maintain hygiene when feeding cream cheese to your baby by using clean utensils and washing your hands thoroughly before feeding them. Additionally, cream cheese should be properly stored to prevent contamination.
• Limiting the amount of cream cheese for your baby: Cream cheese is a nutritious food, but you should not feed your baby too much cream cheese every day. You should gradually increase the amount of cream cheese for your baby and monitor their health condition after feeding them.
• Being cautious when feeding your baby seasoned cream cheese: You should be cautious when feeding your baby cream cheese seasoned with spices such as pepper, garlic, or onions, as they may cause digestive discomfort for your baby.

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Suggestions for Cooking Porridge Combined with Cream Cheese for Baby's Solid Food

Carrot Porridge with Cream Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 large carrot
• 1/2 onion
• 1/2 tomato
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup glutinous rice
• 500ml water
• 20g fresh cream cheese
• Salt, pepper

Cooking Steps:

• Wash and chop the carrot. Peel and dice the onion and garlic.
• Bring water to boil, add rice and cook for about 15 minutes or until rice is cooked.
• While the rice is cooking, you can sauté carrot, onion, garlic, and tomato with a little cooking oil until soft.
• Add the sautéed carrot mixture to the cooked rice pot, simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Next, add the fresh cream cheese, simmer gently until the cheese melts.
• Taste the porridge, if needed, season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor. Cook for another 5 minutes and turn off the heat.
• Let the carrot and cream cheese porridge cool down and feed it to your baby. You can puree or further process it according to your baby's preference.

Potato and cheese soup 

Ingredients:

• 1 large potato
• 1/2 onion
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fresh milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 50g cheese
• 1 teaspoon butter
• Salt and pepper

Steps to prepare:

• Peel the potato skin and cut into small pieces.
• Peel the onion and chop it finely.
• In a pot, boil water with butter, then add the potato and onion.
• Add lemon juice and fresh milk to the pot, simmer gently for about 15 minutes or until the potato is cooked.
• Once the potato is cooked, add the cheese and simmer gently until the cheese melts and blends with the soup.
• Taste the flavor, if necessary, you can add salt and pepper to enhance the taste.
• Pour the soup into a bowl and let it cool slightly before feeding your baby.

Shrimp, broccoli, and cheese porridge

Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion
• 1 small carrot
• 1/4 broccoli
• 50g fresh shrimp
• 1/4 cup fresh milk
• 50g cheese
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt and pepper

Steps to prepare:

• Peel and chop the onion, carrot, and broccoli.
• Rinse and chop the shrimp.
• In a pot, boil water with butter, then add the onion and sauté until fragrant.
• Add the carrot, broccoli, and shrimp, and stir well.
• Pour water into the pot, simmer gently for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables and shrimp are cooked.
• Once the vegetables and shrimp are cooked, add the fresh milk and simmer gently for another 5 minutes.
• Then, add the cheese and simmer gently until the cheese melts and blends with the porridge.
• Taste the flavor, if necessary, you can add salt and pepper to enhance the taste.
• Pour the porridge into a bowl and let it cool slightly before feeding your baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can babies eat cheese?

The ability for babies to eat cheese depends on their age and digestive capacity. Generally, nutrition experts recommend introducing cheese to babies from 8 months onwards, once they have been introduced to solid foods and have good digestive capabilities.

However, it's important to note that cheese contains high amounts of fat and sodium, so it should be consumed in moderation. Opt for fresh cheese varieties that are low in preservatives and artificial additives. Before introducing cheese to your baby's diet, consult with a pediatrician or nutrition expert to ensure safety and suitability for your baby's health.

Which types of low-salt cheese are commonly recommended for 6-month-old babies starting solids?

Here are some popular low-salt cheese options suitable for babies starting solids:

• Babybel Cheese
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Ricotta Cheese
• Feta Cheese
• Cottage Cheese
• Mascarpone Cheese
• Provolone Cheese
• Gouda Cheese

In conclusion, cheese is a wonderful option for your baby's solid food meals. However, feeding cheese to your baby should be done in moderation and with caution to ensure your baby's health. Opt for low-salt fresh cheese varieties that are free from excessive preservatives and artificial additives. Additionally, incorporate cheese into your baby's diet along with other foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish to provide complete nutrition for your baby's development. Don't forget to visit Mytour for amazing shopping deals for your family today!

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