The newest infant feeding guidelines from Health Canada, the Canadian Pediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada now recommend introducing whole eggs starting at six months of age, or as soon as your child starts eating solids. So go ahead and add eggs to the puree that you feed your baby!
Did you know?
Now it’s ok to feed your baby the whole egg starting at 6 months. It could help prevent an egg allergy.
Experts no longer recommend delaying the introduction of common allergens to twelve months. In fact, research shows that introducing whole eggs early can actually help to lower your baby’s chance of developing an egg allergy.
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More Great Reasons to Feed Your Baby Eggs
With six grams of the highest-quality protein and fourteen essential vitamins and nutrients, eggs are a practical way to add an iron-rich, wholesome food to your baby’s diet. They are a natural source of choline, which plays an important role in brain development.
Recipes For Your Baby
You can start by gradually adding cooked eggs to your baby’s diet with these simple tips:
- Hard-cook a whole egg and mash it. *
- Mix about 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) with a little breast milk, infant formula or water.
- Don't add any salt, sugar, butter or margarine to the egg yolk.
- Let your baby enjoy the natural flavours of single foods.
*Remember to always ensure that your baby’s eggs are properly cooked to avoid food-borne illnesses, as babies immune systems are still continuing to develop at this stage of life.
Here are few simple recipes to get your baby started on eggs:
Easy Scrambled Eggs
This recipe could not be easier and uses only two simple and pure ingredients: eggs and either breast milk or formula.
You’ll Need:
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp breast milk or formula
Prep and Cook:
- Crack egg into a bowl and whisk well. Add breast milk or formula and whisk until well combined.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add egg mixture. Use a spatula to move egg mixture around in pan to scramble as it cooks. Keep cooking until eggs are completely cooked through.
- Use spatula to transfer eggs to a plate to cool. Chop into tiny bits and serve to baby.
Eggy Guacamole
Make a super easy and healthy egg recipe for babies who are just starting to eat solids.
You’ll Need:
- 1 large egg
- 1 ripe avocado
Prep and Cook:
- Place your egg in a small pot and cover with cold water. The water should be about an inch or so higher than the egg. Cover the pot with a lid. Over high heat, bring your eggs to a rolling boil.
- Remove from heat and let stand, 18 minutes for medium sized eggs, 20 minutes for large eggs and 23 minutes for extra large eggs.
- Drain water and immediately run cold water over eggs until cooled. Rapid cooling helps prevent a green ring from forming around the yolks.
- Peel eggs and place in a bowl. Mash well and set aside.
- Cut avocado in half, remove pit and scoop out flesh. Place avocado flesh in a bowl and mash well with a fork. Combine egg and avocado together and mash together well until you have your desired consistency.
Simple Sweet Potato Scramble
Make a vitamin-rich and flavourful recipe to feed your baby who is just starting to eat solid foods: A simple sweet potato scramble.
You’ll Need:
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 1 large egg
Prep and Cook:
- Steam or boil sweet potato cubes until very tender. Drain if necessary and mash or puree until you have your desired consistency.
- Whisk egg. Whisk in sweet potato puree until well combined. Heat a pan over medium heat. Add egg and sweet potato mixture and cook, stirring often, until cooked through and thickened.
- Remove from heat, let cool and serve baby!
Good to know: Short on time? Instead of preparing your own sweet potato puree, use a jar or squeeze pouch of sweet potato puree instead.