Baby yogurt is the perfect consistency for a first food. But not all yogurts have the same nutritional benefits. So let’s review what to look for when choosing baby yogurts.

Are you wondering whether it’s okay to give yogurt to babies?

The short answer is yes. But there’s an overwhelming variety to choose from at the supermarket. And as a children’s nutrition expert, I have reservations about many yogurts at the grocery store for babies.

Yogurt is made from milk that’s fermented by bacteria and contains live active cultures (probiotics for your baby’s gut). Plain yogurt contains milk and live active cultures. Some versions are fortified with vitamin D.

And really, that’s all a little one needs.

In this article, you’ll learn when babies can eat yogurt, how to choose the best yogurt for your baby, and my top choices for little ones.

When Can Babies Have Yogurt?

Babies can start to eat yogurt when they’re around 6 to 8 months old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). You can introduce single ingredient solid foods in any order at 6 months old. Around 7 to 8 months old, you may offer a variety of foods from all the food groups, according to the CDC.

Plain yogurt is part of the dairy products food group, and a single ingredient food. But there are several factors to consider when making a good choice for your baby. 

For one, some fruit yogurts have seeds and fruit chunks and these are choking hazards for young children.

Secondly, an allergic reaction to cow’s milk is an important consideration. Cow’s milk allergies are one of the top baby food allergens in young children. You’ll want to be cautious when introducing new foods, especially dairy and other food allergens. 

To do so, first, offer a small amount and only one new food at a time. Then wait one to three days before introducing another food.

Why Can’t My Baby Have Regular Milk?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the AAP recommend waiting until your baby is one-year-old before introducing cow’s milk. That’s because a baby’s gastrointestinal tract is not quite ready to process liquid milk.

Yogurt and cheese are fermented, so they’re easier for babies to digest than cow’s milk. Also, solid foods at this time, including dairy, are considered complementary foods. They don’t contribute many calories or nutrients, initially. Babies still rely on breastmilk or infant formula for the majority of their nutritional requirements.

Baby Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt

Plain yogurt for kids and adults is made from the same ingredients as baby yogurt. Both contain milk and live cultures (the good bacteria for your baby’s gut).

The major difference between yogurt that’s made and marketed to kids is the size of the container, the packaging, and the ingredients in the flavored varieties.

Baby yogurts tend to be blends of yogurt and fruit, and some may have cereal, too. When yogurt isn’t the main ingredient, the amount of protein tends to be lower.

And that’s a good thing. Babies aged 6-11 months old only need 11 grams of protein daily and babies between 1 and 2 years old only need 13 grams each day, according to the Dietary Guidelines.

As a pediatric dietitian, I recommend plain full-fat yogurt, including adult or baby yogurt types, instead of many kid-friendly yogurts, because many baby yogurts contain added sugar. For example, there are 6 grams of added sugar in one of the most popular baby yogurt brands. Sugar is the second ingredient on the list!

A Word About Added Sugar vs. Natural Sugar

Sugar and carbohydrates are a hot topic. There’s a lot of misinformation and it can be confusing. Let me break down what parents need to know for babies and kids.

Kids (and adults too) need carbohydrates but there are different types and not all of them are equally nutritious.

Natural sugars appear naturally in foods such as fruits, dairy and honey. Added sugars, on the other hand, are added during processing. To make things more confusing, there are many types of added sugars, and they all go by different names.

So, you might not see the word “sugar” on the ingredient list.

That’s why looking for “added sugars” underneath the carbohydrates on the product’s nutrient panel is the best way to find them.

Why are Added Sugars Worse than Natural Sugars?

In some ways there’s little difference in how they’re digested or how they affect the body. But added sugars tend to be simple sugars which digest quickly and cause a quick rise in blood sugar (then a sugar-crash may follow).

In comparison, the fiber in whole fruit slows the absorption of sugar during digestion. That keeps your little one full longer and keeps their mood steady.

You could argue that the presence of fat and protein in yogurt slows digestion and mediates the rise and fall of blood sugar, and it does, but babies need lots of nutrients to support their growth and development, and added sugar isn’t one of them. In fact, the recommendations for infants is no added sugar in the first 2 years of life.

Lactose is the sugar naturally found in dairy so all cow’s milk-based yogurt will have sugar. Don’t worry about that.

Choosing the Best Type of Yogurt for Babies

Before two years old, babies should eat full-fat dairy types of yogurt and avoid added sugars, according to the Dietary Guidelines. When you’re deciding on a yogurt for your little one, look for regular adult or children’s plain yogurts made with whole milk and without added sugars.

Can Babies have Greek Yogurt?

Greek yogurt is strained plain yogurt. Straining the yogurt removes most of the liquid and produces a thicker yogurt with more protein and less sugar than regular yogurt.

Most of a baby’s protein still comes from formula or breast milk. Since Greek and other strained yogurts are thick, they’re easier for baby to self-feed.

But they’re also high in protein, so offer small portions.

Can Babies have Flavored Yogurt?

Baby yogurts tend to be flavored with fruits, cereals and added sugars.

However, quality brands stick to natural sugars from fruits (also known as fructose) instead of adding sugar or sugar-free sweeteners. My advice is to use plain yogurt and add sweetness with real fruit.

Can My Baby Eat Plant-Based Yogurt?

If you’re a plant-based family, allergic to cow’s milk yogurt, or follow vegetarian dietary practices, your baby can eat plant-based yogurts as part of a well-balanced diet.

Should I Buy Organic Yogurt?

I fed my own children organic dairy products when they were little, but you don’t have to if it is a strain on your finances, or it’s difficult to access. The nutritional and health benefits of yogurt will outweigh whether or not the product is organic.

***Some of the following links are affiliate links. If you purchase through these I will receive a small income which helps me run this site.***

Top Baby Yogurts

There are many brands of yogurts on the market, but by far the best thing about baby yogurt is the 4 oz container or pouch! It’s a more appropriate size for babies.

Stonyfield Farm tops the adult and baby yogurt list for my most recommended yogurt brand. It’s organic, based on whole milk, has no added sugars, and contains vitamin D.  

Babies aged 6 to 12 months need about 10 mcg (400 IU) of vitamin D each day. Baby formula provides enough vitamin D, but most breastfed babies will need a vitamin D supplement. 

All of the yogurts on this list are also a good source of calcium for your baby, are made from whole milk, and don’t have any added sugars. The only “sugar” is the natural sugar found in cow’s milk.

1. Stonyfield Farm Organic YoBaby Whole Milk Yogurt, Plain

YoBaby whole milk yogurt is certified organic, has no added sugars and is fortified with vitamin D. These come in convenient 4 oz cups for little hands.

One serving contains 5 grams of carbohydrate (sugar), 4 grams of protein and 10% of the DV of vitamin D.

2. Earth’s Best Organic Strawberry Banana Fruit Yogurt Smoothie

Earth’s Best fruit yogurt smoothie comes in a resealable pouch. It’s made with pureed fruits and yogurt but there’s no added sugar in the strawberry banana flavor.

One pouch contains 15 grams of sugar and 2 grams of protein and 30% of the DV of vitamin D. Pureed fruit is the first and second ingredient so this smoothie has more natural sugar from fruit than protein from the yogurt.

3. Annie’s Organics No Added Sugar Mixed Berry Whole Milk Yogurt

Annie’s Mixed Berry yogurt is certified organic, fortified with vitamin D, and has no added sugars. These containers come in kid-friendly 4 oz cups.

One serving contains 7 grams of (natural) sugar and 4 grams of protein.

4. Happy Family Organics Happy Baby Whole Milk Yogurt

The flavored Happy Family whole milk yogurt has vitamin D, but no added sugars, and it is USDA organic. This comes in baby-friendly 1.7 oz cups.

One serving contains 3 grams of natural sugar and 2 grams of protein.

5. Happy Tot Organics Super Morning Stage 4, Apple Cinnamon, Yogurt, Oats + Super Chia

Happy Tot Stage 4 yogurt has the flavor without the added sugars. Like the Earth’s Best smoothie, yogurt isn’t the first ingredient on the list, so the protein is lower than plain yogurt. This all-in-one breakfast has oats, fruit and Greek yogurt. One pouch contains 10 grams of sugar and 1 gram of protein.

Best Adult Yogurts (Regular and Greek) for Babies

These brands are marketed for adults and families but plain unsweetened yogurt made from whole milk has the same ingredients as plain baby yogurt. These typically come in larger containers so stick to a few spoonfuls for your little one. Take a look at the difference in sugar and protein for regular and Greek yogurts. Greek yogurts are fine for babies as long as you offer a small amount.

1. Stonyfield Farm Organic Whole Milk Yogurt, Plain

Stonyfield is USDA certified organic and is made without the use of pesticides. It’s also fortified with vitamin D.

A 4 oz serving contains approximately 5 grams of sugar , 4 grams of protein and 10% of the DV of vitamin D.

2. Dannon All Natural Quart Plain Yogurt

This brand is popular for making a variety of flavored yogurts, but Dannon’s plain whole milk yogurt doesn’t have sweeteners. In a 4 oz serving, there’s 4.6 grams of sugar, 4 grams of protein. It’s also fortified with vitamin D.

3. FAGE Total Greek Yogurt, 5% Whole Milk, Plain

Fage only contains two ingredients: milk and live cultures. This brand of Greek yogurt is known for its thick and creamy texture.

A 4 oz serving has approximately 3 grams of carbohydrate and 10 grams of protein.

4. Siggi’s Icelandic Strained Plain Whole Milk Yogurt

Siggi’s is a strained Icelandic yogurt similar to Greek yogurt. This brand doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners and only uses milk from family farms that do not use growth hormones. Since it’s made by straining yogurt, it’s low in sugar and high in protein.

A 4 oz serving has approximately 3.8 grams of sugar and 13.5 grams of protein.

5. Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt, Plain

Chobani is another brand of Greek yogurt. Plain Chobani doesn’t contain sweeteners, preservatives, or artificial flavors.

A 4 oz serving has approximately 4 grams of sugar and 11 grams of protein.

Resources

• Check out my FREE guide to all the feeding skills your little one should have by age one! 

• My FREE baby eating journal called Baby Learns to Eat – note and track all the changes with food and eating in your baby’s first year of life. 

• The Smart Mom’s Guide to Starting Solids is also a gem of a guide for the transition to complementary foods, available on Amazon.

• Set up healthy habits early with my latest book: Kids Thrive at Every Size: How to Nourish Your Big, Small, or In-Between Child for a Lifetime of Health and Happiness.

Jill Castle, MS, RD

I like empowering parents to help their children and teens thrive at every size with realistic advice centered on healthful habits around food, feeding, nutrition and health behaviors. As a pediatric dietitian and author, my goal is to share strategies and realistic advice to help you raise a healthy and happy child through my articles and podcast.