When can babies eat Kefir?
From 6 months
Start with: Liquid, pourable, slightly 'fizzy'.
Kefir is a fermented milk drink with a thin, pourable consistency. It is superior to yogurt in its probiotic diversity, often containing over 30 different strains of beneficial bacteria and yeasts. It is rich in Calcium, Protein, and B-vitamins. Because the fermentation process breaks down almost all lactose, it is very gentle on an infant's digestive system.
How to serve Kefir, by age
- 6mo
From 6 months: Liquid, pourable, slightly 'fizzy'.
Introduce slowly as a 'sip' from an open cup or mixed into purees. Start with just 1-2 teaspoons. Because it is thinner than yogurt, it is a great way to practice drinking from a cup. You can also mix it into hemp hearts or mashed banana to thicken it. Ensure it is plain and full-fat (whole milk) kefir.
- 9mo
From 9 months: Thin liquid.
Serve in a straw cup or use as a base for 'overnight oats.' Kefir's sour tang pairs perfectly with sweet fruits like blueberries or mango. At this stage, you can use it to moisten dry foods like shredded chicken or turkey, making them easier for the baby to swallow while adding a probiotic boost.
- 12mo
From 12 months: Liquid.
Toddlers can enjoy 'Kefir Smoothies' mixed with spinach and fruit. It is an excellent healthy alternative to sugary milkshakes. You can also use it in pancake batter to make them extra fluffy due to the natural yeasts in the kefir.
Choking risk & safe preparation
Low choking risk
Kefir is a liquid and poses no choking risk. However, its thin consistency can cause coughing if a baby gulps it too quickly from a cup. Always supervise cup drinking.
Allergen information
This is one of the common childhood allergens. Introduce it on its own and watch for a reaction before mixing it with new foods.
Contains or relates to these allergens:
- Milk
Nutrition & benefits
Kefir is a unique source of 'Kefiran,' a specialized carbohydrate produced by the kefir grains that has shown anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. It contains significantly more probiotic colony-forming units (CFUs) than standard yogurt.
- Digestion-friendly
- Immune Support
Per 100 g
- Energy
- 43kcal
- Protein
- 3.8g
- Fat
- 1g
- Fiber
- 0g
- Iron
- < 0.1mg
- Vitamin C
- 0.2mg
See all nutrients (25)
Macronutrients
- Energy
- 43 kcal
- Protein
- 3.8 g
- Carbohydrates
- 4.8 g
- Fat
- 1 g
Key Minerals
- Iron
- < 0.1 mg
- Calcium
- 130 mg
- Zinc
- 0.5 mg
- Sodium
- 40 mg
- Potassium
- 164 mg
- Magnesium
- 12 mg
- Phosphorus
- 105 mg
- Selenium
- 3.6 mcg
- Copper
- < 0.1 mg
- Manganese
- < 0.1 mg
Vitamins
- Vitamin A
- 171 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 0.2 mg
- Vitamin D
- 1 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- < 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B12
- 0.3 mcg
- Vitamin E
- < 0.1 mg
- Vitamin K
- 0.1 mcg
- Folate
- 13 mcg
- Thiamin (B1)
- < 0.1 mg
- Choline
- 15.2 mg
Other
- Fiber
- 0 g
Source: USDA FoodData Central
Pairs well with
Frequently asked
Is kefir better than yogurt?
Both are great, but kefir generally has a wider variety of 'good bacteria' and yeasts. Yogurt typically has 2-5 strains, while kefir can have 30+. Kefir is also thinner, making it better for training cup-drinking skills.
Can I give my baby flavored/fruit kefir from the store?
Avoid flavored kefirs as they are often very high in added cane sugar. Always buy 'Plain Whole Milk Kefir' and add your own fruit purees at home.
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