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Eggs can be part of your baby’s diet once they start eating solid food, usually around 6 months. But because eggs are a common allergen for babies, it’s best to wait until they’ve tried a few other low-allergy foods and have had no reactions (like baby cereal and pureed fruits and vegetables) before introducing eggs.
When introducing a potentially allergenic food, experts recommend giving it to your baby at home, rather than at daycare or a restaurant. Serve it for three to five days before offering another new food. That way you can monitor your baby for a reaction and know what’s likely causing it.
Are eggs healthy for babies?
Yes. Eggs are an excellent source of protein. They also have nutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, choline, calcium, and vitamins A, B12, and D, as well as essential amino acids.
Choline, in particular, has been shown to play an important role in infant development because it can influence brain health, especially memory function. Amino acids are also crucial for your baby’s growth.
Eggs got a bad rap because they’re high in cholesterol and were thought to increase the risk of heart disease – but research has shown that the cholesterol in eggs doesn’t raise a person’s cholesterol level the way some other high-cholesterol foods do.
If you’re feeding your baby a varied, nutrient-dense diet, you don’t need to worry about their cholesterol levels. And because eggs are nutrient-dense, low in calories, and high in protein, they’re an excellent part of a baby’s diet – especially if your family is vegetarian.
Can babies be allergic to eggs?
Eggs are one of the top foods that can cause allergies in children.
Babies with a sibling or at least one biological parent who has an allergy are at higher risk for developing a food allergy. If that’s the case, or if your baby has another food allergy, talk with your pediatrician about the best way to introduce eggs into your baby’s diet.
In the past, pediatricians advised parents to wait to give their babies eggs and other allergenic foods (like peanuts), hoping to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. That advice has changed – experts now believe introducing potentially allergenic foods early can help prevent an allergy. If your baby is at risk of an egg allergy, your pediatrician may advise introducing eggs as early as 4 to 6 months.
Children allergic to eggs typically show symptoms within minutes to hours, and signs include sudden rash, hives, watery eyes, and nausea. In rare cases, breathing is affected, so if you notice your baby struggling to breathe, go to the emergency room or call emergency number immediately.
Many babies grow out of egg allergies over time, and an allergist can help with treatment.
How to serve babies eggs
There are plenty of easy ways to make eggs for your baby – try these ideas:
Scrambled eggs
Many babies enjoy scrambled eggs cut or mashed into small pieces. Pieces of scrambled eggs are good for baby-led weaning – scatter them on the highchair tray and let your baby grab them.
Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are another great choice – just make sure the yolk is fully cooked. Serve them mashed or diced into small, bite-sized pieces. And once your baby’s old enough for finger foods (usually around 8 to 10 months), you can serve them wedges of hard-boiled egg for them to pick up and feed themself.
Cooked egg dishes
Egg dishes like enqulal ferfer, shekshuka, omelets, and egg bites are also good options. Serve them in small pieces your baby can handle.
Raw or undercooked eggs can harbor bacteria, which could make your baby sick. So don’t give your baby eggs with runny yolks (like sunny-side up fried eggs, soft-boiled eggs, or soft-poached eggs), or tastes of uncooked baked goods with eggs in them (like cookie dough or brownie batter).
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