Feeding Eggs To Babies & Children: What You Need To Know

Every parent wants to ensure their child will grow healthily and happily. But parenthood can be overwhelming, with conflicting advice on what is and isn’t good for babies.

There are a lot of myths and misunderstanding about whether babies can eat eggs and at what age parents should start feeding them whole eggs.

Eggs are a great contributor of essential nutrients to a child’s healthy development. Not only are they packed with vitamins and minerals but they also provide a good source of quality protein, choline, and essential fatty acids. Read on for the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

When to Give Eggs to Your Baby

It is recommended to introduce well cooked whole egg into your child’s diet in the first year of their life - around six months of age, but not before four months.

These guidelines are the same for all babies, even those with a high risk of developing food allergies, such as those with a family history of egg allergy or those with eczema. Studies have shown that introducing eggs within the first year helps children to develop a tolerance to eggs and may reduce the risk of allergy. Delayed introduction of egg and other food allergens has been shown to increase the chance of developing food allergy.

When first introducing eggs make sure they are well cooked, start off with small amounts (such as ¼ teaspoon mixed in with usual foods) and offer to your child twice a week.

The Benefits of Eggs in Your Child’s Diet

Packed with nutrients, including 17 different vitamins and minerals, eggs can make a valuable contribution to your child’s nutritional needs. Combine that with the fact that they’re affordable and easy to prepare and you’ve got the perfect meal option for busy parents.

Eggs contain choline - a nutrient that contributes to healthy brain development, among other things. Studies show that pregnant and breastfeeding women who eat eggs are more likely to get enough choline from their diet. To find out more about eggs and pregnancy click here.

Eggs provide iodine, iron, quality protein, omega-3 fat, and vitamins A, D, E, and B12. Eaten as a high-protein breakfast, they can boost a child’s satiety levels and reduce hunger throughout the busy school day, which can help with concentration and energy levels and reduce the need for extra snacks.

Being high in protein and other essential nutrients, eggs help support a child’s growth and development. The Australian dietary guidelines recommend children aged 1-3 years consume around 14g of protein per day and around 20g a day for children 4-8 years. A single egg contains just over 6g of protein which provides almost half the recommended dietary intake for toddlers and almost a third of the recommended dietary intake for older children.

Egg Allergies in Infants and Children

Egg allergies are not uncommon in children, affecting 9% of kids under 4 years old. Many children with egg allergies are allergic to raw egg but can tolerate baked or cooked eggs, and most will outgrow the allergy by the age of four.

Egg allergy symptoms may include:

• Skin - hives, eczema, swelling, or flushing.

• Digestive - nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

• Respiratory - a running nose, wheezing, or trouble breathing.

• Cardiovascular - a rapid heartbeat or low blood pressure.

While research continues to understand treatment options for children with egg allergy, dietary avoidance of all eggs is recommended. Some children with egg allergy will tolerate some egg baked into cake and biscuits, but this should only be tried with specialist medical advice.

Eggs are an important part of a balanced diet at all stages of life. If your child could be allergic, we encourage you to start a dialogue with your healthcare professional to discuss possible solutions to ensure your child meets their dietary needs.

Find out more about egg allergies in children today.

How to Serve Eggs to Your Child

It is recommended to introduce well cooked whole egg in the first year of your child’s life. Start with small amounts and introduce twice a week to help your child get used to it. You can do this by:

• Pureeing or mashing a hard-boiled or scrambled egg, ensuring the texture is appropriate for your child’s stage of development.

• Avoid adding salt or other condiments and keep eggs plain to start with.

For older babies, hard-boiled eggs make great finger food as they are easily cut into bite-sized pieces.

Learn More About the Role of Eggs in Diet

Australian Eggs aims to help people better understand the role that eggs can play in a healthy diet. Find out more about the role of eggs in nutrition today.