Can Babies Eat Eggs?
Yes. Babies can have egg from around 6 months, cooked until the white and yolk are firm. Egg is a common allergen, so the current advice is to introduce it early and keep offering it. Serve it scrambled, as omelette strips or mashed hard-boiled.
Egg is a useful early food. It is soft when cooked, high in protein and easy to shape into strips for little hands. It is also a common allergen, and the current advice is to introduce it early rather than wait. This guide covers when to start, how to cook it safely and a simple recipe.
What is an egg?
An egg is laid by birds, and the hen's egg is the one most people eat. It has a firm white and a softer yolk, both of which are safe for babies once fully cooked. Egg is used on its own and in many baked and cooked dishes.
Egg works in both savoury and simple meals. Serve strips of firm omelette next to mashed avocado, or offer mashed hard-boiled egg as a soft finger food.
Egg nutrition for babies
Egg is rich in protein and gives your baby fat for energy, plus choline, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g (whole egg) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 143 kcal |
| Protein | 12.6 g |
| Fat | 9.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0.7 g |
| Choline | 294 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.89 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg |
Values for whole egg. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
When can babies eat eggs?
Egg can start from around 6 months, always well cooked. Change the shape as your baby grows:
Offer strips of firm omelette or scrambled egg your baby can hold, or mashed hard-boiled egg mixed with a little milk.
Cut cooked egg into small pieces as your baby gets better at picking things up.
Serve egg in frittata, French toast and other family dishes, keeping salt low.
Allergy: egg is a common allergen. Introduce it early, offer a small amount the first time, and do it at home earlier in the day so you can watch your baby. If your baby has severe eczema or another food allergy, speak to your doctor first.
Health benefits of eggs for babies
Protein
Egg is a complete protein, which babies need for steady growth and development.
Choline
Egg yolk is high in choline, a nutrient that supports brain development in the first years.
Vitamin D
Egg gives some vitamin D, which the body uses to build strong bones.
Egg is easy to serve as finger food. Pair strips of omelette with soft fruit or a dairy food such as yogurt, and once your baby has tried egg you can move on to other common allergens like peanut.
How to serve eggs safely
Do
- Cook egg until the white and yolk are firm.
- Cut it into strips or small pieces.
- Introduce it early and keep offering it.
- Serve fresh and let it cool first.
Avoid
- Runny or soft-boiled egg for babies.
- Raw egg, including in home-made mayonnaise or cake mix.
- Adding salt.
- Leaving your baby to eat alone.
Risks and safety
There are two things to manage with egg. First, cook it fully to avoid food poisoning, which is why a set quiche is safer than a soft scramble. Second, egg is a common allergen, so watch for signs such as hives, swelling, vomiting or breathing trouble, especially the first few times.
Early allergen introduction: the American Academy of Pediatrics advises introducing common allergens like egg early, around 6 months, rather than holding them back. Ask your doctor first if your baby is higher risk.
Easy egg recipe (6 months)
Scrambled egg fingers for baby
Makes 1 to 2 baby portions, from 6 monthsIngredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp whole milk or formula
- Small knob of unsalted butter
Method
- Whisk the egg with the milk until well mixed.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat and add the egg.
- Stir gently until the egg is fully set and firm, then let it cool and cut into strips your baby can hold.
Egg FAQ
When can babies eat eggs?
Babies can have egg from around 6 months, cooked until both the white and yolk are firm. Egg is one of the common allergens, so introduce it early and regularly once solids are going well, and watch for any reaction.
Do eggs need to be fully cooked for babies?
Yes. Cook eggs until the white and yolk are solid, with no runny parts, to lower the risk of food poisoning. Scrambled egg, firm omelette strips and hard-boiled egg all work well.
Is egg a common allergen?
Yes, egg is one of the more common food allergens in young children. Current advice is to introduce it early rather than delay. If your baby has severe eczema or another food allergy, talk to your doctor before you start.
Can babies eat the whole egg?
Yes. Babies can have both the white and the yolk from around 6 months, as long as the egg is well cooked. There is no need to give only the yolk.
Sources
- Egg as food, Wikipedia.
- FoodData Central, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Starting Solid Foods, American Academy of Pediatrics.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. Talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about your own baby, and about starting solids or any allergy concerns.
