The moment that baby is finally ready to start eating some table food is an awesome time for a parent. You finally get to stop blending all of that baby food which will give you a serious break. Being able to feed your little one the same food that you are making for the rest of your family finally lets you feel like your baby is as actual person. Not only does this give your family and your baby a chance to bond over food, but it will help you to save some money.
While you need to take it slow when it comes to introducing table food to your child, there are some real food milestones to look forward to. One of these foods that are exciting to give your child for the first time is eggs. Eggs are so versatile in the way you can prepare them, you are sure to find a way that satisfies your little one. When knowing how to introduce eggs to your baby, you have to make sure that you are following a checklist to ensure that your child is safe. Here is everything you need to know about this exiting milestone.
When to introduce eggs to your baby
While there is no specific age to start feeding your child eggs, you have to look out for the signs. Your baby will tell you when they are ready for solid foods. Of course they won’t be able to do this verbally, but there are little hints that they will drop letting your know it is time to start cracking some eggs. It is a good rule of thumb, however, to hold off on non-blended foods like eggs until your child is at least 12 months of age. Until their first birthday try to stick to pureed baby food as well as breast milk or formula.
There are many reasons why you should wait to give your child solid foods, but mainly they may simply not be ready to digest it. It’s all about taking it slow. Check to see if they are ready to chew and swallow whole foods like grain cereals before introducing them to foods like eggs. If you find that your child is really looking to expand their food horizons, it is time to know how to introduce your baby to eggs. It is also important to remember not to give your little one egg before they are a year old for allergy reasons. Food allergies are a terrifying thing for parents and unfortunately, eggs are among the foods that cause the most allergic reactions in babies.
Should you worry about egg allergies?
Any food allergy is scary, especially when it comes to babies. So there is no shame is feeling a little apprehensive when it comes to feeding eggs to your baby for the first time. An egg allergy is a real thing and a real concern. That is why it is so important to wait until your baby is at least 12 months old before feeding them eggs. Experts say that children who are given eggs, as well as other foods, before the age of one are more likely to have an allergic reaction.
It should also be said that if you have another child who has an egg allergy, your baby is far more likely to have the same allergy. If this is the case for you, you should always wait to introduce eggs. If you are worried about the health of your baby, always consults with their pediatrician before adding eggs to their daily meals. A doctor will be able to perform a more substantial allergy test on your child which will help to take some of the guesswork out of equation for you. Also, if you know that your child already has allergies to certain foods like nuts and fish, you should be even more careful when learning how to introduce eggs to your baby for the first time. This doesn’t mean, however, that your child will certainly have an egg allergy, but you will need to be more cautious.
Signs that your child has an egg allergy
Even babies who are not predisposed to food allergies can develop and egg allergy. It isn’t always known why this can happen. It can have to do with the hormones in eggs or even the way the eggs are raised, but it can happen. To be sure that you are staying vigilant when it comes to keeping your child safe, watch out for these warning signs:
- Skin problems
A rash is one of the most common signs of an egg allergy. This can be hard to spot because little one’s skin is already sensitive. If your child develops a rash or another skin problem shortly after eating eggs you should stop feeding them eggs and have your child looked at by their pediatrician to rule out any allergies.
- Breathing problems
Trouble breathing is one of the more severe symptoms of an egg allergy and one that requires your immediate attention. If you notice that your child seems to have labored breathing after ingesting eggs or egg products, make sure that first their airway is clear and call 911.
- Flu like symptoms
Mild cold symptoms are harder to catch onto because it could be just as likely that your child has a small flu. Look for severe runny noses or coughing after feeding your child eggs.
- Mouth inflammation
A swollen mouth or lips is a sure fire way to know if your child has an egg allergy. This can range from slight swelling to more severe cases that cause the eyes to swell up as well. If you notice any change to your child’s face, call their doctor immediately.
While your child may not be experiencing all of these symptoms at once, just having one of the allergy signs is enough to set off some red flags. Other symptoms to look out for are:
- Asthma
- Hives
- Vomiting an upset stomach
- Excessive gas
- Diarrhea
- Tummy cramps
- Itchy eyes
- Swollen fingers and toes
- Sore throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Nasal congestion
How to know when to feed your baby solids
When those magical 12 months pass without any allergy in sight, you are ready to know how to introduce eggs to your baby. All though not ever child is ready at exactly a year old to eat solids, there are some signs to look out for. Let your child be your guide. Here are some things to keep an eye out for when knowing if it is the right time to introduce solids:
- Over 12lbs
Chances are that if you have a healthy baby, they will be well over 15lbs by the age of one. It is still important to note that not every baby is the same and as long as your child has at least doubled their birth weight by the time they are 12 months you are in good shape for the solid food adventure.
- Strong teeth
Most little ones start popping out teeth as early as 3 months old. A big part of having your child is solid foods depends on how strong their teeth are. As long as your child has become a champion chewer when it comes to those grain cereals you have been feeding him, it is time for more fun solids like eggs.
- Not drinking as much milk
Around the age of one your child will have a natural instinct to stop wanting to drink formula or breastfeed as often as they used to. This is because there body is craving more substantial nutrients that come from solid foods.
- Chewing on everything
While chewing on things is a common symptom to teething, it can also have a deeper meaning. This could mean that your child is looking for solid foods to eat. In this case, let your child lead the way.
- Baby can hold their own weight
A big milestone for any child is them being able to sit up on their own. Not only is this great for tummy strength and posture, it is ideal for digestion.
- Mimicking behavior
Have you ever sat down for a meal and looked over your baby to see them copying you? They grasp for imaginary food on their tray and bring it to their mouths. You are there example and they yearn to be like you at every turn. This is especially true during mealtime. So pull the highchair up at the table and let your child join in!
Are eggs good for babies?
Eggs are a great solid food to start your baby out with because of their amazing health benefits. Not only are they full of nutrients, but because of the different ways you can prepare them they are versatile and yummy. You may be apprehensive about giving your little one egg because of the misconceptions surrounding the nutrition value of eggs but like most foods, eggs are perfectly fine in moderation.
The number one reason why eggs are help to such high esteem is because they are loaded with healthy cholesterol. While as an adult you may have worked hard to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol, it is the opposite when it comes to a growing baby. Cholesterol is a huge part of your child’s growth and development. Not only will it help their bodies get stronger, it works absolute wonders on their brain and eye development. It is no surprise that cholesterol is also found in breast milk as well!
Eggs are also high in proteins. While your child doesn’t really need as much protein as older children and adults do, it still serves a great purpose. Protein helps to strengthen their muscles and bones. The best part about eggs is that they are literally the perfect balance of protein and healthy fats. Healthy fat helps to protect your child’s growth and development while proteins strengthen their digestive system. Basically, these nutrients work as the perfect machine for your little one’s system.
One of the most important nutrients that are found in eggs is omega 3’s. Omega acids are extremely important for healthy hearts and even skin! Studies show that babies who have a diet that is rich with omega acids are less likely to have heart issues later down the line in life. Not only this, but omega acids help with brain development too.
Babies love eggs for their yummy taste and parents love to give their babies eggs because of how easy they are to digest. This is because of the special proteins that easily break down in even the most sensitive of systems. This is great news for little ones who already have stomach problems like acid reflux and who have a hard time processing heavier foods. Plus, with all of the extra vitamins like vitamin D, B12, and zinc, it is a wonder why parents are not feeding their babies eggs all the time. Basically eggs are just one big delicious multivitamin for your baby.
Ways to prepare eggs for your baby
Now that you know all of the risks and benefits that come from knowing how to introduce eggs to your baby, it is time for the fun part. There are so many ways to cook eggs which mean that you can actually trick your child into eating eggs everyday letting them think that they are eating something new. This is the perfect time for you to flex those creative cooking muscles of yours and get to work! Here are some ideas that even the pickiest of babies will love:
- A simple scrambled egg is always a great way to start your child on eggs. When done right, scrambled eggs will be soft and easy to chew and digest which is perfect for little teeth and tummies. If you are feeling really brave, put some smaller pieces of softly cooked veggies in the scramble for an extra bit of nutrition and flavor.
- Omelets are the next best step. You can fill these fluffy eggs with all of your child’s favorites so that they are sure to enjoy them. This is also a great opportunity to give them new foods like cheeses.
- Hard boiled eggs are great for those brave little babies. They are perfect for little snacks because even though they are larger, they are soft enough for little mouths to take a bite out of. Best of all, they can be made ahead in batched so that you can always have some on hand when snack time comes along.
- If you are feeling really creative, try making the whole family a frittata. These are little egg pies that can be made right in the skillet. Simple whisk up some eggs with a touch and cream and pour into a skillet on low heat. Add in some ham, cheese and soft veggies and then toss the skillet in the over to finish cooking. The end result is a super tasty egg pie that everyone in the family is sure to love, especially baby!
- A sunny side up smiley face is great for older babies who are feeling a little adventurous. While most little ones are not a fan of runny eggs, when done right they can be silky and super tasty. Turn breakfast into a daily treat with a sunny side up smiley face place with a few pieces of turkey sausage making up the smile. Your little one will love playing with their food by being able to dip their toast in to the smiley egg eyes.
- If you have a little one who isn’t a fan of eggs, but you still want them to have all of the benefits that eggs have to offer, it is time to get sneaky. Try to sneak eggs into other meals that they may love. Introduce them to some sweet and savory French toast. While it isn’t the healthiest option, it is good as a once and a while treat and plus it is made with eggs.
Final Thoughts
You may be nervous about learning how to introduce eggs to your baby, but have no fear. Eggs are almost the most perfect solid food that you can give your little one. Not only are they super high in vitamins and nutrients, they are really delicious for any budding taste buds. Your child is sure to love the smooth and savory taste and will be delighted to be able to join in with the rest of the family in this early morning breakfast tradition. Just make sure that you are waiting to your child is at least a year old and ready for solid food before feeding them eggs. Not only are you doing a great service to your child’s health, you are setting them up for healthy eating habits for the rest of their life. Take care.
