Eggs For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions

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.

Nutritional Value of Egg Yolks

The below table depicts the nutritional benefits of a raw egg yolk per 100 gms are

Amazing Top 5 Health Benefits of Eggs For Babies

Including eggs in your baby’s diet can be best as they have numerous health benefits. We have listed the top five among them.

1. Best Source of Nutrition For Babies

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.

2. Rich in Vitamin D

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.

3. Excellent Source of Protein

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.

4. Aids in Brain 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).

5. Rich Source of Folate

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?]

How Can You Introduce Eggs to Your Baby?

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.

Precautions to Take When Introducing Eggs For Babies

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.

• Always start with the yolk first when introducing and start with small amounts.
• Wait for two or three days before you feed the egg again to observe for any allergic reaction.
• Ensure to cook and mash the eggs properly if your baby is just learning to take solid foods. It will help them avoid choking.
• Do not add egg white, and only use egg yolks for babies who are not a year old.
• Raw eggs are a strict no-no to babies, as their digestive system is still developing and too immature to digest anything uncooked or raw.
• Avoid pan frying and scrambling before your baby is a year old.
• Do not add salt or spices while serving a mashed egg to your baby.
• Introducing spices is not advised before the baby hits a year.
• It is vital to observe your baby closely before continuing with eggs as their regular solid food.

[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]

Are There Any Side Effects of Eggs For Babies?

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).

• Eczema
• Rashes on the skin
• Hives or swelling
• Wheezing and trouble breathing
• Diarrhea and vomiting.

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]

Top 3 Tasty And Healthy Egg Recipes For Babies

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.

1. Mashed Egg Yolks (6+ Months)

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.

2. Scrambled Eggs (12 Months+)

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.

3. Omelet (12 Months+)

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.

FAQ’s

1. Can a Baby Eat Egg Yolks Every day?

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.

2. Is Egg Yolk or White Better For a 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.

3. Does Egg Yolk Cause Constipation in Babies?

No, egg yolk is not held responsible for causing constipation in babies.

Read Also: Tofu For Babies: When To Introduce And Health Benefits

References

1. Early exposure to food and food allergy in children – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046529/]
2. The nutritional properties and health benefits of eggs –  [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235296480_The_nutritional_properties_and_health_benefits_of_eggs]
3. The Health Benefits of Egg Protein – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9316657/]
4. A Comprehensive Review of Eggs, Choline, and Lutein on Cognition Across the Life-span – [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29451849/]
5. Potential of Egg as Complementary Food to Improve Nutrient Intake and Dietary Diversity- [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9416406/]