Can Babies Eat Activia?
The plain natural version, from around 6 months. Activia is yogurt, and plain yogurt is one of the better foods you can give a baby. The complication is the range: most of the pots on the shelf are flavoured and sweetened, and several are low fat, which is the opposite of what a baby needs. Read the pot, not the brand.
Branded probiotic yogurts occupy a lot of shelf space and a lot of mental space, and the honest position is that for a baby the brand matters far less than two things on the label: whether sugar has been added, and whether the fat has been taken out. Get those right and any plain live yogurt will do.
What is Activia?
Activia is a yogurt brand from Danone, made with a bacterial culture the company markets under its own name alongside the standard yogurt cultures. It comes in natural, flavoured, fruit, low fat and drinking versions. The natural full fat pot is the one that fits a baby's needs.
Our yogurt page covers the food itself in detail, and kefir is the other fermented option worth knowing about.
Which pot to pick
The differences within one brand are larger than the differences between brands:
| Per 100 g | Natural full fat | Fruit flavoured |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Around 75 kcal | Around 90 kcal |
| Total sugars | 4 to 5 g, all lactose | 11 to 13 g |
| Added sugar | 0 g | 6 to 9 g |
| Fat | 3 to 4 g | Often under 2 g |
| Protein | 4 g | 3.5 g |
| Suits a baby | Yes | After 2 years |
Approximate values, which vary by variety and market. Always check the specific pot. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Serving yogurt by age
Straightforward, once you have the right pot:
A few spoonfuls, sweetened with mashed banana or berry puree rather than sugar. Milk is a major allergen, so introduce it on its own the first time.
Yogurt works as a dip for vegetable sticks, a topping for porridge, or a way to cool a mildly spiced dish. Still plain and full fat.
Once added sugar is no longer ruled out, the fruit varieties become an occasional option. Plain plus real fruit is still better and cheaper. Sweetened drinks such as Yakult sit further down the same road.
Low fat is a problem, not a feature: a lot of probiotic yogurt is formulated for adults, which means fat reduced. Babies need a high proportion of their energy from fat, for growth and brain development, and low fat dairy is not recommended under two. If the pot advertises being fat free, it is the wrong pot for a baby.
Plain yogurt with real fruit
This is what a fruit yogurt is meant to be, and it takes a minute:
Plain yogurt with real fruit
Makes 2 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 4 tablespoons plain full fat yogurt
- Half a ripe banana or 2 tablespoons soft berries
- A pinch of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground flax seed, optional
Method
- Mash the fruit thoroughly until completely smooth with no lumps.
- Stir it through the yogurt until evenly mixed and naturally sweetened.
- Add the cinnamon and the ground flax if using.
- Serve straight away, or keep covered in the fridge for up to a day.
Risks and safety
Milk is one of the major allergens, so introduce dairy on its own and watch for a reaction. Activia is not suitable for a baby with a diagnosed cow's milk allergy, and it is pasteurised, so there is no food safety issue beyond ordinary storage. Quark is a plainer alternative with more protein.
The considerations are nutritional rather than safety related. Added sugar in the flavoured varieties is the main one, covered in our sugar guide, and reduced fat is the second. On the probiotic claims, it is worth knowing that evidence for specific strains in healthy children is limited, and the brand has faced regulatory challenges over claim wording in several markets. None of that makes the yogurt worse than any other yogurt; it just means there is no reason to pay extra for it for a baby.
Activia FAQ
Can babies eat Activia?
The plain natural version, yes, from around 6 months, in the same way as any plain yogurt. The flavoured and fruit pots are a different matter, since most contain added sugar and added sugars are not recommended under two. Check the pot rather than the brand.
Is Activia better than ordinary yogurt for a baby?
Not meaningfully. Activia contains a particular bacterial culture the brand promotes, but all live yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, and there is no strong reason a baby needs this specific one. Any plain full fat live yogurt does the same job, often more cheaply.
Should babies have low fat yogurt?
No. Babies need a high proportion of fat in their diet for growth and brain development, so full fat is the right choice under two. Many Activia varieties are low or zero fat, which suits adults watching their intake and does not suit a baby. Look for the full fat natural version.
How much yogurt can a baby have?
A few tablespoons a day is a reasonable amount alongside their usual milk feeds. Yogurt is a useful source of calcium, protein and fat, but it should not displace breast milk or formula in the first year. Serve it as a food rather than a drink.
Sources
- Activia, Wikipedia.
- Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
