When Can Babies Eat Eggs?
This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase a product through a link, I will receive a small commission - this in no way impacts the amount you pay. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk (*).
When it comes to introducing new foods to your baby, the guidelines for when to introduce eggs have changed in the last 20 years, which can cause some confusion. As a parent, you want to ensure you're offering nutritious options that are safe for your little one's developing digestive system.
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, but when is the right time to introduce them into your baby's diet? Understanding the guidelines and benefits of eggs for babies can help you navigate this exciting milestone with confidence.
In this blog post, we'll explore when babies can safely eat eggs, the benefits of incorporating eggs into the diet early and often, and how to serve eggs for your growing baby.
Why are eggs good for babies?
In the most recent report released by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), eggs are recommended as an important first food for babies. When babies start eating solid foods, they typically don’t consume much, so it’s important to offer nutrient-dense foods that pack a lot of nourishment into every bite, such as eggs.
Eggs are considered highly beneficial for babies because they are so nutrient-dense and rich in high-quality protein, which is essential for growth and development.
Proteins from eggs provide the building blocks for tissues, muscles, organs, and immune system components that are rapidly developing in infants. Additionally, eggs are a good source of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin B12, all of which play crucial roles in supporting various bodily functions and overall health.
Moreover, eggs contain minerals like iron, zinc, and selenium, which are important for cognitive development, immune function, and overall growth. The presence of choline in eggs is also noteworthy, as it supports brain development and function.
Affordable and versatile, eggs are also easy to prepare and build into a wide variety of recipes, meals, and snacks. As a result, including eggs in a baby's diet can contribute significantly to a child’s overall nutrition and well-being during the critical early stages of life.
Are eggs a common allergen?
Yes, eggs are considered one of the top 9 common food allergens, which are responsible for nearly 90% of all food allergies in the United States, particularly in infants and young children. Egg allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in eggs as harmful substances, triggering an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an egg allergy can range from mild to severe and may include skin reactions (such as hives or eczema), gastrointestinal symptoms (like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), respiratory problems (such as wheezing or nasal congestion), and in severe cases, anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction.
It's important for parents to be aware of potential egg allergies when introducing eggs into their baby's diet for the first time. Most allergic reactions to eggs occur within minutes to a few hours of ingestion.
Before starting solids, talk to your pediatrician or registered dietitian and have a conversation about your baby’s level of risk for food allergies, which will help determine how and when you introduce top allergens, such as eggs.
If you suspect your baby may be allergic to eggs, it's crucial to consult with a pediatrician or allergist for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and guidance on managing and potentially avoiding eggs in your child's diet, if necessary.
Can I prevent an egg allergy in my baby?
Most babies are not born with food allergies. Food allergies actually develop over time, and a growing body of research suggests that introducing eggs during infancy (starting at around 6 months of age and not before 4 months of age), when a baby is developmentally ready for solid foods, is associated with a reduced risk of developing an egg allergy.
For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that as soon as babies are ready for solids, they can and should start eating eggs. For most babies, the best time to start is around 6 months of age (in communication with the pediatrician), when the signs of developmental readiness for solid foods are present.
It’s important to note that it’s not enough to introduce eggs only once during infancy and then assume there is no risk of food allergy if a baby doesn’t react. We need to continue offering those potential allergens in the baby’s diet often (about 2-3 times per week throughout the first year of life) to help maintain tolerance. In fact, studies show that babies who are fed eggs at least 3 times per week may reduce their risk of developing an egg allergy by 80%.
***Want to learn more about preventing food allergies during infant feeding? Check out my new book, Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention: A Baby-Led Feeding Guide to Starting Solids and Introducing Top Allergens with 80 Family-Friendly Recipes. This complete roadmap to starting solids makes it easy to reduce the risk of food allergies and make mealtimes easy and fun with dietitian-approved tips, 8 weeks of meal plans, and 80 family-friendly recipes.
Should I feed my baby baked eggs?
If a baby is at high risk for developing food allergies or already has another diagnosed food allergy, it may be best to start by introducing baked eggs at around 6 months of age. However, it is important to make this decision with an allergist or pediatrician.
Mixing eggs with flour and then baking them at a temperature of at least 350° F for at least 30 minutes alters the protein structure and reduces their allergenicity, making the eggs less likely to cause a food allergic reaction when compared to other ways of cooking eggs. In fact, approximately 70% of kids with an egg allergy tolerate baked eggs.
Under the guidance of an allergist, most children with an already diagnosed egg allergy can begin safely and regularly ingesting baked egg foods, which may help lead to greater tolerance or resolution of an egg allergy.
Allergists may sometimes recommend using an “egg ladder,” where babies with a known egg allergy can start with small exposure to baked eggs, such as in a muffin or cookie, then progress to the next step, eating a cooked pancake or waffle made with eggs. As tolerance builds and the baby is doing well with exposure to cooked egg protein structure, they can then start eating small amounts of hard-boiled eggs or well-cooked scrambled eggs, as tolerated.
How to Prepare Eggs for a 6-month-old Baby
For low-risk babies using a palmar grasp who start solids using the baby-led weaning method, cooked eggs can be offered in soft strips that are about the length and width of an adult-sized pinky finger. In my experience as a pediatric dietitian and mom of three, here are some of the safest and most nutritious ways to prepare eggs for a 6-month-old:
Serve both the egg white and the yolk
Hard-boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are the simplest and safest option. Ensure they are cooked for 15 minutes until both the white and yolk are firm. Cut into wedges so baby can palm them up to the mouth.
Mashed egg: Hard-boil, then mash with a little bit of breast milk, formula, or water and serve, or mix into another mash or puree.
Eggs in oatmeal* or baby cereal: You can mix an egg into oatmeal, multigrain infant cereal*, or grits while the grain is cooking to enhance nutritional content. (Avoid infant rice cereal due to the higher risk of arsenic exposure.)
Veggie Egg Bites: These nutrient- and flavor-rich bites are the perfect size for baby hands to grasp. Cut them in half to make them easy for baby to hold.
Scrambled eggs: Scrambled eggs are another easy option. Make sure to cook the eggs thoroughly until they are fully set, then cut into strips. Avoid excess salt—a little is fine.
*TOP TIP*: Avoid raw eggs, soft-boiled eggs, poached eggs, and any other type of undercooked eggs when feeding your baby. It's important to avoid feeding infants raw or undercooked eggs (no runny yolks!) as they may contain harmful bacteria, including Salmonella. Always cook eggs thoroughly until both the whites and yolks are solid.
How to Prepare Eggs for a 9-month-old Baby
Once babies start using a pincer grasp, usually around 9 months of age, (although babies all develop at their own rate), cooked eggs can be offered in smaller bites about the size of a chickpea. You can chop cooked eggs (hard-boiled, scrambled, fried eggs) into smaller bites or prepare eggs in a soft frittata, egg bite, omelet, egg muffin, or quiche.
One other delicious alternative way to serve eggs is in soup, like this tasty Avgolemono. Make sure the veggies and chicken are soft-cooked and easily mashable, and serve in a bowl* with a small amount of broth and a baby-friendly spoon*.
How to Prepare Eggs for a 12-month-old Baby
At this stage, babies are usually getting the hang of their pincer grasp and are able to pick up small bites of food. They can typically handle a wider variety of textures and flavors, including more finger foods and more complex preparations.
In addition to the foods listed above for a 6 or 9-month-old, you can try making an egg salad with mashed hard-boiled eggs and a little bit of mayonnaise and spreading it on a piece of toast. Or get creative and add an egg to a vegetable stir fry or a pasta dish for a protein and nutrient boost.
Baby-Friendly Egg Recipes
Here are a few of my favorite egg recipes for babies:
Don’t forget, if your baby is almost ready to start solids and you’re looking for someone you trust to map out your baby’s solid food-feeding journey for you, check out my new book, Safe and Simple Food Allergy Prevention: A Baby-Led Feeding Guide to Starting Solids and Introducing Top Allergens. It includes a flexible, 9-day allergen introduction plan, 8 weeks of starting solids meal plans full of ideas for balanced baby meals, 80 family-friendly recipes, all of which incorporate allergenic foods to help maintain your baby’s tolerance to them, and evidence-based, up-to-date guidance on how to start your baby on solids and safely serve each food.
And if you need guidance around a specific nutrition-related concern, I am currently accepting new clients in my virtual private practice. I would love to meet with you. Thanks for reading!
