How to Choose Yoghurts for Your Baby

Would you like to know how to choose yoghurts for your baby safely and without any fuss?

Yoghurts are an excellent way to add variety to your baby’s snacks. Chosen carefully, they are convenient, nourishing and work well with fruit purée or homemade biscuits. They also support the development of gut flora and can be introduced from 6 months, provided that a few precautions are taken.

However, with so many products on supermarket shelves, making the right choice is not always straightforward. Hidden sugars on labels? Flavourings? Colourings? Here is how to make the decision easier.

Yoghurts for babies: when and why should you introduce them?

Paediatricians say yoghurt can be added to a baby’s diet at around 6 months. This is because fermented milk is easier to digest than plain cow’s milk. Yoghurts also provide probiotics, which help to support gut health.

That said, each baby’s preferences should be respected. Some immediately enjoy the more tangy taste, while others need longer to get used to it. The key is persistence: many experts recommend offering a food up to 10 times before a baby can truly decide whether they like it.

Paediatricians advise that yoghurt may be introduced into a baby’s diet at approximately 6 months. Fermented milk is easier to digest than ordinary cow’s milk, and yoghurt contains probiotics that contribute to intestinal health.

It is nevertheless important to follow every baby’s individual preferences. While some enjoy its sharper flavour straight away, others take more time to accept it. The secret? Keep trying! Many specialists suggest presenting a food up to 10 times before a baby genuinely knows whether they like it or not.

What should you avoid when choosing yoghurts for your baby?

Food labels can be confusing when you are shopping. Ingredients such as maltodextrin, fructose syrup, invert sugar and molasses are essentially disguised forms of sugar. The issue is that they can make a child accustomed to sweet flavours from a very early age.

To prevent this:

• Choose plain yoghurts with no added sugar or flavourings.
• Avoid varieties with “fruit pieces”, as they often contain colourings and added sugars.

Whenever you can, choose organic products.

Which type of yoghurt should you choose for babies?

The good news is that there are several choices, although not all of them are ideal. These are the most recommended options:

Choose set yoghurts. Drinking yoghurts are not usually natural and tend to be more heavily processed.

1. Plain yoghurt with no added sugar (animal-based):

• Goat’s or sheep’s yoghurt, which is easier to digest than cow’s yoghurt.
• Cow’s yoghurt, provided there are no intolerances.
• Do not choose “low-fat” or “light” options, as fat is essential for a baby’s development.

1. Plant-based yoghurts (later on, with paediatrician guidance):

These can be made from soya or coconut, but should only be offered when the baby is older and following medical advice.

1. Set yoghurt versus drinking yoghurt:

Go for set yoghurt. Drinking versions are generally less natural and more processed.

Dad’s Pinch tip:

Offer plain yoghurt first, then add fruit purée afterwards. This helps your baby learn to recognise and enjoy the flavour of each food. As fruit is sweeter, it makes a lovely end to the meal!

Important note:

Just because adults find plain yoghurt “bland” does not mean babies feel the same way. Their taste preferences are still developing and have not yet become accustomed to artificial sweetness. Therefore, what seems tasteless to us may be perfectly enjoyable for them.

Other recipe suggestions:

Simple, real flavours for your baby!

Do not fall into the traps of children’s food marketing. By making mindful, natural choices, you are helping your baby build a healthy relationship with food from the very beginning. After all, educating their taste buds is also part of the love we put into every meal.

Choosing yoghurts for babies can be easy

Following these straightforward guidelines will help you feel more confident about your choices. Most importantly, you will give your baby a balanced diet without excessive sugar or unnecessary ingredients.

When we know exactly what we are offering, everything becomes simpler!

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