When baby is ready for solids—when they can sit up on their own and show an interest in food—it’s exciting to think about what they’ll try first. And while that can be as early as four months, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that they should be exclusively fed breast milk or formula until six months. Thankfully, once that milestone hits, their first foods are completely up to you. Read: bland rice cereal is no longer a requirement. Outside of a few general safety guidelines (no choking hazards!) and nutritional recommendations (get that Vitamin D in!), the sky is basically the limit. Want a suggestion? Here are six reasons why yogurt is an easy choice that packs a nutritional punch for babies six months and up.

%% CALLOUT 3li7NHtZ8tSkCMyAMQYtbw %%

The AAP recommends that baby’s first food be soft or pureed to prevent choking, which makes yogurt an easy early meal. Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt cups are made with high-quality ingredients and no harmful pesticides, which may explain why the brand is the number one pediatrician-recommended choice for babies six months to two years among refrigerated yogurts.*

Yogurt can be a great way to ensure that baby is getting the vital full fats they need in their diet when they start solid foods. “Whole milk yogurt is a better choice for babies than low-fat or fat-free yogurt because the fats in whole milk support their brain development and overall growth,” says registered dietitian and certified lactation counselor Jen Messer. Messer also points out that yogurt is a practical choice—it’s portable, doesn’t require any prep and comes with a much lower choking risk than other solid foods. It’s an easy option for baby-led weaning, too. “It can be easily portioned onto a spoon, allowing babies and toddlers to practice scooping and bringing the spoon to their mouths,” she notes. “This process encourages the development of fine motor skills.”

*IQVIA ProVoice Survey, 12/01/15‐08/31/22

%% CALLOUT 1KVwXb05l6IfKfHEAHEeB8 %%

While baby shouldn’t drink cow’s milk until after the age of one, dairy products like cheese and yogurt are okay for baby as early as six months. The AAP also assures parents that there is no evidence that waiting to introduce any allergen—such as eggs, dairy or peanut products—until after four to six months of age will prevent a food allergy.

In fact, dairy products contain probiotics (more on these below), which are beneficial bacteria that can help improve gut health. “Babies and toddlers with healthy gut bacteria are less likely to have digestive problems,” notes Johna Burdeos, a registered dietitian. So, if you and your baby’s pediatrician are on board with introducing yogurt or cheese as a first food option, there’s no reason to delay it.

%% CALLOUT 1sIZJRpIVYsSgjqTFp6KXv %%

The AAP recommends that baby’s first foods contain the important nutrients iron and zinc, and yogurt is rich in both. Iron helps with red blood cell production, which is important for circulation, as well as the development of a healthy neurological system. Meanwhile, zinc is essential for wound healing, immune system function and developing a sense of taste and smell.

Plus, from seven to 12 months, babies also need 260 milligrams of calcium and 400 IUs of Vitamin D every day to support bone health and immune system function, while calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. Both nutrients can be found in whole milk dairy yogurts, like Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt cups.

%% CALLOUT 5N51wgqPn6wSDTvMtNeTWU %%

Protein is crucial for building strong bones, as well as promoting muscle growth, which can be especially important as your baby becomes an active toddler before your very eyes. Just one of Stonyfield Organic YoBaby cups packs an impressive 4 grams of rich USDA-organic protein from pasture-raised, non-GMO milk, taking care of a hefty portion of the 11 grams of protein recommended for babies seven to 12 months.

%% CALLOUT 7knauNijn7YJ7F9761djLy %%

Have you ever heard that you should introduce baby to vegetables before fruit to make sure they don’t learn to prefer the taste of sweet foods? Well, fortunately the AAP has busted that myth. There’s actually no evidence that your baby will develop a “dislike” of vegetables if they taste fruit first. You can feel good knowing that Stonyfield YoBaby yogurt is made with real organic fruits, like banana and strawberries and apples and blueberries.

%% CALLOUT 4U4riW4fW0wlhhg0xDRrZF %%

As babies graduate from strictly breast milk or formula to solid foods, their microbiome will undergo a lot of rapid changes. That’s why supporting their gut with the right bacteria with probiotics can be so important.

Burdeos explains that probiotics can help train the immune system to respond to infections more effectively, improve digestion and reduce gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. She also notes that probiotics can help reduce inflammation in the gut, although doctors are doing more research on the exact connection between probiotics and their full benefits.

What doctors do know, however, is that YoBaby® yogurt cups contain the probiotic BB‐12®, which has been shown to have a digestive health benefit when consumed regularly. Additionally, because yogurt is a refrigerated food, it helps preserve the live probiotics more effectively than shelf foods that contain healthy bacteria—giving your baby the full benefit of all the good stuff.

Introducing Solids