Written by Editorial Team
There is a lot of confusion among new mothers about the best solid food they can feed their babies first. Although we have our old school grandmother’s books that can guide us in every possible way, it still is a dilemma. Understandably, there is a lot to think about the food we introduce to the current generation of babies since some of them are associated with problems like allergies and indigestion. It is vital to choose the right food with proper nutritional values. There is some confusion regarding certain foods like eggs for babies – can babies eat them safely and when and how to introduce.
Eggs are one of the best foods, protein-rich, and play a significant role in the growth of babies. Introducing eggs to babies once you start solids is a good idea. Eggs are a package of nutrition for growing babies. Talking about eggs might raise fear of allergies in new moms. This article can guide you on everything about giving eggs to the baby.
In This Article
You can always consider eggs as the first solid food for babies above seven months old. However, it is better to see your pediatrician before starting any solid food for your little one. It is vital to keep track of allergies that some foods can cause. Eggs are one of them. However recent studies say that delay in introducing foods that cause allergies in babies may show a more significant impact later. If you introduce eggs in the early months of your baby’s solid intake, the probability of developing allergies can be less (1).
You can start feeding egg yolk to your baby once they are seven months above. Egg whites must be introduced only after your baby turns a year old. Do not go for eggs directly if you have a family history of skin allergies and food allergies. It is better to talk with your baby’s health care provider before you proceed with any solids, especially foods that carry a history of causing allergies in your family.
The below table depicts the nutritional benefits of a raw egg yolk per 100 gms are
Nutrients | Value |
Total Fat | 4.5 grams |
Total Carbohydrates | 0.6 grams |
Total Protein | 2.7 grams |
Calcium | 129 mg |
Iron | 2.73 mg |
Phosphorus | 390 mg |
Sodium | 48 mg |
Selenium | 0.056 mg |
Zinc | 2.30 mg |
Vitamin B12 | 1.95 𝝻g |
Vitamin B6 | 350 𝝻g |
Vitamin B9 | 146g 𝝻g |
Vitamin B1 | 176 𝝻g |
Vitamin B2 | 528 𝝻g |
Vitamin B5 | 2990 𝝻g |
Vitamin B3 | 24 𝝻g |
Vitamin A | 371 𝝻g |
Vitamin D | 2580 𝝻g |
Including eggs in your baby’s diet can be best as they have numerous health benefits. We have listed the top five among them.
Eggs are an excellent package of nutrition. They contain healthy fats like omega-3-fatty acids, choline, zinc, selenium, and abundant proteins (2). All these together aid in better cell and organ growth of babies.
Eggs provide a significant amount of Vitamin D, which is vital for the body. Giving eggs to your baby can help them avoid vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and phosphorus, thus promoting bone health.
As we say, proteins are the most vital components that a body needs. Eggs contain essential amino acids (3), while these building blocks of life promote tissue and muscle development.
Eggs contain a great amount of choline. Including eggs in your baby’s diet can provide enough choline for your baby. Choline is a vital component for brain development and aids in boosting memory (4).
Egg yolks provide folate which plays a vital role in the neurological development of the baby.
Eggs are also rich in B complex vitamins, antioxidants, calcium, sodium, iron, and phosphorus. Giving eggs during the early stages of solid food introduction can help babies attain enough nutrients required for the body. Eggs can help in aiding better digestion and immunity in babies.
[Read : How to Increase Immunity in Babies?]
Eggs are a great package of nutrition that can aid in the complete growth of the baby. You can introduce eggs to your baby after six-seven months old. The method depends on how early you choose to give eggs to your baby. In case of any dilemma, talk to your pediatrician about the best ways of introducing eggs to your baby. We have listed a few of them, which may help you understand the proper procedure for introducing eggs to your baby.
Before entering into a new zone, like introducing eggs to your baby, ensure an appointment with your pediatrician.
Eggs can cause allergies and it is important to follow certain precautions to ensure that you introduce eggs the right way to your baby who is ready for solids.
[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]
Some babies are allergic to eggs because of their immature digestive systems. Egg whites can potentially cause allergies in many babies, but in most cases, the allergic reactions can go away with time. Symptoms include (5).
If you observe any of the above symptoms in your baby, consult your doctor and do not give them eggs. However, egg allergies in most children are temporary.
[Read : Vomiting in Babies – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment]
Due to their high nutritional value, eggs are a must-add to your baby’s diet as long as they do not develop any reactions. Here are a few recipes for you.
Hard boil the egg, peel the skin off, take the egg yolk out and mash it thoroughly. You can blend the mashed egg yolk with breast milk or formula milk. You can also mix the mashed egg with pureed vegetables like carrots, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
Break the egg and add it to a pan with a small amount of butter or oil. Scramble them until they get fully cooked. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper for taste.
Break the whole egg and add it to a pan greased with a small amount of butter. Spread it evenly. Cook the egg, scrape it and serve with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also add finely chopped vegetables if your baby is at a stage of eating regular adult food.
Other options for serving eggs to your growing baby are mixing rice and vegetables with scrambled eggs with minimized spices. You can boil the egg, peel the skin off, and cut them into small cubes, and it will be easy for your little one to grab it as a snack.
Although eggs for babies are rich in nutrients, they are one of the foods that may act as allergens in some cases. Hence, it is vital to talk to your family healthcare provider before introducing eggs to your little one. Once your baby gets used to eating eggs, there will be a shower of healthy growth and neurological benefits from eggs. However, keep a close eye on your baby on how they take it for the first time. Your patience will be fruitful once your baby develops an interest in eating eggs.
Eggs are a rich source of proteins; you can include egg yolk as a portion of regular solid food for your baby. However, it is better to talk to your baby’s pediatrician before proceeding with eggs for your baby.
You can prefer giving egg yolks to babies less than a year old. It is better to introduce egg whites slowly once they are a year and older.
No, egg yolk is not held responsible for causing constipation in babies.
Read Also: Tofu For Babies: When To Introduce And Health Benefits
References
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