The Best Yogurt for Babies Doing Baby-led Weaning
Finding the right yogurt for babies doing baby-led weaning can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re feeding it for the first time.
Yogurt is a great food for your baby because it has many health benefits.
If you’re looking for the best yogurt for baby-led weaning, then this article is for you.
In this article, I list my favorite BLW yogurts and explain everything you need to know about feeding yogurt to your baby.
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Why You Can Trust Us
I’m a mom of two, a health and wellness coach, and a biology teacher.
I’m also a BLW coach to other moms, helping them on their solid food journey.
So you know that the products I recommend are ones that I’ve personally used or that one of my mommy friends has successfully used.
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- Best Baby-led Weaning Plates & Bowls For Starting Solids
- The Best Spoons for Baby-led Weaning
When to Introduce Yogurt to Babies
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing yogurt after 6 months of age.
That’s when most babies show all the signs of readiness to start solids.
Yogurt makes a great first food because it’s soft, easy to eat, and packed with nutrients.
Check out this article for the complete signs of readiness to start solid foods.
Early exposure to yogurt in small amounts is also a great way to build your baby’s tolerance and reduce the chances of them becoming allergic to it in the future.
Health Benefits of Yogurt for Babies
It’s a great source of protein
Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. Which makes it a great option for vegetarian families.
It’s also a great first food for babies because it’s easy for them to eat and digest.
You may also like: Delicious Lentil Chickpea Curry For Baby
Yogurt are probiotic-rich foods
Most yogurts have probiotics which help promote gut health and good digestion.
These probiotics help increase the number of good bacteria in the intestines to keep the body healthy.
They help boost the immune system
When your baby eats Yogurt, they’re giving their immune system a boost.
That’s because those good bacteria in the gut will help strengthen the immune system to fight infections later.
It contains vitamin D and other minerals
Yogurt is fortified with vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium.
More calcium equals stronger bones.
Yogurt also contains lots of other minerals that the body needs.
Full of healthy fats
Babies need healthy fats to help them grow. Fat is also important for brain development. This makes yogurt a great first food for babies.
Why Can Babies Have Yogurt And Not Regular Milk?
Even though regular infant formula and breast milk provide all the nutrients a baby needs in their first year, cow’s milk isn’t recommended during your baby’s first year.
That’s because regular milk is considered a drink.
Babies can fill up on cow milk very quickly preventing them from eating other nutritious foods.
Yogurt, on the other hand, is easier for babies to digest because of the fermentation process.
Yogurt is considered a complementary food, not a drink. It’s not a main meal but one that’s served with other foods during feeding.
So there’s no risk of filling up on it.
Allergy Considerations for Yogurt
Yogurt is a common allergen, so it’s important to introduce it carefully.
If your baby has a cow’s milk allergy, avoid yogurt, as it’s one of the top baby food allergens.
Babies with a dairy allergy should opt for dairy-free yogurts instead.
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Signs of Allergies To Yogurt
Watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or face, hives, stomach upset, etc.
If your baby has lactose intolerance, they may still tolerate yogurt, as it’s not the same as a food allergy.
Signs of lactose intolerance may include diarrhea and stomach upset after meals. If you think your baby may be allergic or have an intolerance to dairy products, please see their pediatrician.
Use the 3 to 4-day rule when introducing new allergenic foods to monitor for reactions.
What To Look For In the Best Yogurt for Babies
When buying yogurt for young children, it’s a good idea to check the ingredient list for the healthiest options.
No added sugar
Growing babies don’t need foods with added sugar.
Studies show that limiting added sugar in the first two years of life lowers the risk of diabetes in the future.
Choose plain unsweetened yogurt whenever possible.
Choose yogurt with live active cultures
Live active cultures are the good bacteria we talked about earlier. They help promote digestion and gut health.
Choose yogurt with high-fat content
Babies need healthy fats to grow. So choose full-fat yogurt when possible.
Avoid fat-free yogurt because they’re usually loaded with added sugar to make them sweeter.
Reduced-fat yogurt is okay to feed a baby when full-fat isn’t available.
Buy organic dairy products when possible
Organic yogurt is made with organic cow’s milk.
This means they’re made with milk that contains no antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones, or pesticides.
That’s why organic yogurt is better for your baby.
What to Avoid When Choosing Yogurt for Babies
To ensure safety and nutrition, avoid these when selecting yogurt:
Added sugar
As mentioned above, added sugars are not good for a baby’s health. Some brands of yogurts in the grocery store have lots of added sugar.
Even so-called “baby yogurt” has tons of added sugar to make it taste good and more appealing to little ones.
That’s why I advise parents to buy plain yogurt when possible.
Artificial Flavors
Avoid artificial sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup when buying yogurt for babies.
They’re not good for babies with immature digestive systems.
If you need to flavor your baby’s yogurt, do it with fruits and other natural flavors.
Food dyes or artificial colors
Food dyes like red 40, blue dyes, and yellow-colored food dyes are things you want to avoid at all costs. Studies have linked them to hyperactivity in children.
Best Type of Yogurt for Baby-led Weaning
Best Full-fat Greek Yogurt For Babies
Chobani Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt
This is my all-time favorite yogurt to feed both myself and my kids. I gave it to both my kids when they were babies at least once a day.
The Best Organic Yogurt for Baby-led Weaning
Stonyfield Organic Greek Whole Milk Yogurt
This yogurt has zero added sugars. It contains lots of good fat that your baby needs, and it is organic.
The Best Plain Whole Milk Yogurt For Kids
Siggi’s Icelandic Strained Whole Milk Yogurt, Plain
If you don’t like Greek yogurt, getting plain unsweetened yogurt is a great alternative. That’s why I love Siggi’s Icelandic brand of plain yogurts.
They have all the good stuff that Greek yogurts have but with a lighter consistency.
Best Dairy-Free Plant-based Yogurt For Babies
For babies who can’t have dairy, an alternative to cow’s milk yogurt is a great idea.
It’s important to note that not all non-dairy yogurt alternatives have all the vitamins and minerals that regular yogurt has.
So choose plant-based yogurt options fortified with vitamin D whenever possible. Because that’s what helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones.
You can also provide the necessary vitamins and minerals through other foods or a daily vitamin supplement.
Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt, Unsweetened Plain
Forager yogurt is made with organic cashews and coconut cream.
This cashew yogurt contains live active cultures, but it doesn’t contain any vitamin D or B12.
So make sure you give your baby foods with all the necessary vitamins in them.
So Delicious Dairy-Free Coconut Milk Yogurt
So Delicious coconut milk yogurt is made with organic coconut cream. This yogurt contain vitamin D and B12, and live active cultures for gut health.
Silk Almond Milk Dairy-Free Yogurt
Silk almond milk yogurt contains vitamin D2 and live active cultures. It’s important to note that this yogurt doesn’t contain vitamin B12.
FAQs About Yogurt for Baby-led Weaning
How to Serve Yogurt for Baby-led Weaning
Use a preloaded spoon
Even though yogurt might be considered a “puree” by some people, you can still feed it during baby-led weaning.
For babies between 6-10 months old, provide them with a pre-loaded spoon to help them eat without frustration.
Babies between 11 and above can be given a spoon and encouraged to scoop up the yogurt on their own.
Allow your baby to scoop with their hands
Babies are more comfortable when they eat with their hands. So if they’re frustrated with the spoon, allow them to scoop the yogurt out of a bowl instead.
Add-ons To Yogurt For Your Baby
You can add whatever you like to yogurt for your baby. My kids love it when I make fruit yogurt for them. Below are some yogurt add-ons that kids will enjoy.
- Fruits
- Baby food purees
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
- Finely ground nuts like powdered almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.
How to Sweeten Yogurt Without Sugar
To sweeten plain yogurt without sugar, you can use the suggestions below.
- Mashed fruits
- Fruit juice (just a small amount)
- Maple syrup
- Stevia
Is Yogurt a Choking Hazard for Babies?
Yogurt, including thick Greek yogurt, is not a choking hazard for babies.
If you’re worried about the thickness of the yogurt, then add some breast milk or formula to loosen it up.
You can also loosen it up with some fruit juice. Just don’t go overboard with the juice.
Is Raw Milk Yogurt Safe for Babies?
Raw milk yogurt is not safe to feed babies. They’re not pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria that can make a baby sick.
Stick to pasteurized yogurt to avoid health risks to your baby.
What To Do If My Baby Hates Yogurt
Keep offering it frequently so they can get used to the taste and texture. It takes up to 100 exposures to get a baby to like a new food.
After all that, If your baby still doesn’t like yogurt, then don’t force or pressure them.
Keep offering them different flavors and textures to help build their palate. That’s what BLW is all about.
Yogurt Recipes for Babies
If you’re looking for unique ways to serve yogurt to your baby, then try the ideas below.
- Homemade yogurt melts
- Yogurt covered raisins
- Homemade yogurt barks
- Yogurt popsicles
- Yogurt Muffins
- Yogurt Breads
Final Word About The Best Yogurt For Baby-led Weaning
Yogurt is a great first food for babies starting baby-led weaning.
It provides many health benefits, like being a great source of protein, supporting brain development, and boosting the immune system with good bacteria.
When choosing the right yogurt, go for plain whole-milk yogurt or full-fat Greek yogurt without added sugar.
For babies with a dairy allergy, dairy-free yogurts like almond milk yogurt or coconut milk yogurt are great alternatives.
With so many different flavors and options, yogurt is an excellent choice to include in your baby’s diet
