Eggs for baby

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Exciting, if you have ended up here you must have a little one starting their solids journey, which has got you thinking about eggs for baby, when can they have them?, are they safe for my baby? How do I cook them?

I'll take you through the current guidelines and evidence to give you the confidence to introduce eggs to your little one.

A toddler sitting in a high chair with a plate of scrambled eggs.

Introducing eggs to baby

Parents can be worried about introducing eggs to their baby as egg allergy is one of the most common infant food allergies. Global data suggest 0.5-2.5% of young children will have an egg allergy (Tan 2013).

However, the current advice is that the introduction of egg should not be delayed as delaying the introduction has actually been shown to increase the chance of developing food allergy (ASCIA).

The current recommendation is to introduce egg by 12 months, and to continue to give egg regularly (twice a week) to your young child. ASCIA (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy) have a great information sheet on this for parents (Introducing Solid Foods- ASCIA resource)

I am based in New Zealand which is why I refer to the ASCIA food allergy guidelines as these are the guidelines used across Australia and New Zealand. However these guidelines are similar to others around the world, which also reccomend not delaying the introduction of egg to your babies diet.

I will link them below so you can read up on your own countries guidelines.

However if f you are ever in doubt check with your health care professional before giving egg to your baby.

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How to introduce egg to your baby

Eggs are one of the common allergy foods, the others include: peanut, cowโ€™s milk (dairy), tree nuts (such as cashew or almond paste), soy, sesame, wheat, fish, and other seafood.

Introducing any of the common allergy foods should be done one at a time, this is so that if there is an allergic reaction the problem food can be easily identified.

I will explain this a little further. On your baby's journey to eating solids you might first expose them to egg, you would do this for a few days and if you see no allergic reactions you would move on to add another of the common allergy foods to their diet.

If you did see an allergic reaction you should stop giving your child egg and seek medical advice.

If your baby shows no allergic reaction to the introduction of eg,g continue, to give the egg to your baby regularly, as part of a varied diet. There is some evidence that trying a food once and then not having it in the diet regularly could increase the risk of a food allergy developing.

Introducing the common allergy foods like this makes for a much simpler journey than if you had given your baby a mixed food such as a muffin as one of their first foods, if your baby had an allergic reaction you would not be able to easily determine the problem ingredient, (egg, dairy, wheat are all common ingredients in muffins).

How to prepare egg for your baby

The egg should be well cooked. One of the simplest ways to introduce eggs to baby is to hard boil an egg, peel and then mash the egg with a little breast milk, formula or water. This can be spoon-fed to baby or spread on a finger food baby is safely managing such as toast fingers.

This is of course only one way to prepare eggs, below I've put together a collection of egg recipes that are great for babies and toddlers.

What age can babies have egg?

The current advice from ASCIA and other professional bodies around the world is that babies can be introduced to eggs from an age that they can safely start solids and they should be introduced to eggs before the age of 12 months.

How to introduce egg to your baby?

A simple way to introduce eggs to baby is to hard boil an egg, peel, and then mash the egg with a little milk, breast milk, or formula. This can be spoon-fed to the baby or spread on a finger food baby is safely managing such as toast fingers.

Baby Custard
A no added sugar egg custard recipe suitable for babies
Check out this recipe
A spoonful of baby custard being held up above a bowl of custard.
Eggy Bread
Eggy bread or baby french toast is an easy-to-eat egg recipe for babies who are baby-led weaning or have started finger foods.
Check out this recipe
a pink baby breakfast plate with eggy bread, blueberries and sliced bananas
Spinach Omelette Fingers
These Spinach Omelette Fingers perfect for baby led weaning, they are are quick to make, full of the goodness of eggs and veggies.
Check out this recipe
Photo credit: mykidslickthebowl.com
Three spinach omelette fingers on a child's silicone plate with a toddlers hand taking one of the fingers.
Egg Waffles
These egg waffles are easy to make, and easy for little hands to hold, you can cook them soft or crispy and are suitable for babies managing finger foods.
Check out this recipe
An egg waffle on a white plate garnished with small cubes of avocado and chives.
Easy Cloud Eggs
Cloud eggs are an easy and soft way to prepare eggs for children.
Check out this recipe
A cloud egg sprinkled with finely chopped chives on a white plate.
Mini Egg Muffins: Breakfast, lunch or snack
Packed with protein and veggies mini egg muffins are perfect for baby led weaning.
Check out this recipe
Photo credit: mykidslickthebowl.com
egg muffins, fruits and veggies packed in a lunch box.
Cauliflower Cheese Egg Muffins
These egg muffins are soft and portable plus they are loaded with hidden veggies.
Check out this recipe
An egg muffin topped with spinach leaves being held up to the camera
No-Fail Microwave Hard Boiled Eggs
Cooking eggs in the microwave can be the perfect way to prepare them for busy people (like parents) there is no risk of the pot boiling dry on the stove top.
Check out this recipe
Photo credit: mykidslickthebowl.com
Halved peeled hard boiled eggs on a wooding chopping board next to a pile of egg shell pieces.
Zucchini Slice
My children have all loved zucchini slices from a young age, When making it for a young child I skip the bacon.
Check out this recipe
close up shot of zucchini slice sitting on a chopping board, plates and tea towel in the background
Egg Rolls
A fun way too serve veggies and eggs
Check out this recipe
Photo credit: www.healthylittlefoodies.com
Broccoli & Cheese Frittata Fingers
These frittata fingers make the best finger food for baby led weaning and toddlers!
Check out this recipe
Photo credit: www.myfussyeater.com

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Quick Start Guide To BLW

Baby led weaning doesnโ€™t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.

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