Curd cheese
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- low
- Common allergen
- yes
- Iron
- low
Cow's milk allergen · choose fresh, pasteurized
Contains allergens
Each new allergen is offered on its own and watched for two hours. Our allergen introduction guide is available in Turkish for now.
When can babies eat curd cheese?
When can babies have curd cheese?
Lor, or curd cheese, can be offered once your baby is ready for solids, from about 6 months. The NHS says pasteurized cheeses can be given from 6 months.
Lor is a traditional Turkish cheese. It is made from the proteins in the whey left over from cheese making.
Nutrition
Lor provides protein and calcium. The salt level differs between producers. If you can, choose an unsalted or low salt product for your baby. Read the label.
How do you prepare curd cheese for babies?
Preparation basics
Choose fresh, pasteurized lor. Keep it cold and use it soon after opening. Mash the curds with a fork. You can mix it into vegetable purée, yogurt or porridge. To cut down the salt in a salted lor, rinse it under cold water in a strainer.
The WHO recommends limiting salt and free sugars between 6 and 23 months. Do not add honey, sugar or molasses. Honey is not given in any form before 12 months.
Preparation by age
The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.
6 months
6 months · How to prepare as a puréemash
Put the curd cheese in a bowl and let your baby pick it up with their hands. You can also stir it into soft foods that you serve on a spoon, or spread it on a strip. If the curds feel large, mash them lightly with a fork before serving. To lower the sodium, rinse the cheese with cold water in a fine strainer. Do not serve it with honey before 12 months.
12 months
12 months · How to servemash
Serve the curd cheese on its own or next to savory and sweet foods. To introduce new flavors, place a small bowl of spice beside it and let your child stir it in. For fork practice, load the spoon in advance and leave it next to the bowl.
Is curd cheese a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: low
Soft and easy to mash, so the choking risk is low. Mash any large clumps with a fork.
Choking risk
Lor is soft and moist, with a low choking risk. Mash any large, firm clumps. Your baby should sit upright during meals and you should stay close.
Is curd cheese a common allergen?
Allergen status
Lor contains cow's milk protein and is a cow's milk allergen. The NHS suggests offering new allergens one at a time and in very small amounts. If this is your baby's first dairy food, start with a small amount in the morning.
A rash, vomiting, diarrhea, cough or swollen lips can be signs of a reaction. For severe symptoms, call emergency services. If cow's milk allergy has been diagnosed, do not serve lor without your doctor's advice.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about curd cheese
Is lor too salty for babies?
It depends on the producer. The NHS notes that babies should not eat much salt because it is not good for their kidneys. Choose unsalted or low salt lor, and rinse salted lor with cold water in a strainer.
Does lor need to be pasteurized?
Yes, prefer a pasteurized product. The NHS notes a listeria risk with unpasteurized cheeses. Check that the label says pasteurized.
At what age can lor be given?
From about 6 months, once your baby is ready for solids. Start with a small amount the first time.
Can I add honey to lor?
No. Honey is not given in any form before 12 months. The NHS advises no honey under 1 year because of the risk of infant botulism.
Sources for this page
- Dünya Sağlık Örgütü. (2023). Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age.
- NHS. (n.d.). Preparing food safely for babies.
- CDC, Infant and Toddler Nutrition. (n.d.). Choking Hazards.
- NHS. (n.d.). Foods to avoid giving babies and young children.
- NHS Start for Life. (n.d.). Introducing foods that could trigger an allergic reaction.
- Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi (Gül, Uysal). (2023). Sürülebilir lor peyniri üretimi.
Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides
Medical note
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.
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Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com