Eggs

according to a study done last year (or earlier this year I guess) there is no reason to keep a child from any foods except milk (not cooked into items, but drinking cow's milk) and honey (due to botulism). The milk proteins can't be processed until certain flora develop in the intestines, and studies of actual intestines of infants found that those aren't there in 99% of the kids until 11 mos 3 weeks old.

But for all other foods they have found that there is no evidence that delaying introduction of any other foods is beneficial. They don't see any less allergies or less severe allergies by delaying items. In fact they saw the opposite in that allergies were more severe in those that had been strictly avoiding them.

So, don't fret.

Now, personally I avoid oranges, pineapple and tomato sauces until they are about 15 mos because lots of kids get SEVERE diaper rashes from the acids in those foods.

My dr. said none until 12 months. I am SO glad that I did - my daughter was allergic. I wouldn't chance it until the system is ready to handle it.

J.

doctors vary on this one. It is likely that if your child has had any cake, some breads etc, she has already been exposed to all the egg. My doc advised egg yolks first at around 8 months and then I know it was before 1 that she was allowed the whites. Milk waited until 1 yr old and peanut butter until later - 18 months. I know that all our parents gave egg much earlier but a lot of the current caution is due to new knowledge about allergies and how early exposure to certain highly allergenic items can trigger them. While most children don't develop the allergy, you can't tell if your child will be the one. So while yes it is a pain, it is worth it, if it prevents your child developing an allergy. So I would ask your doctor if the yolks would be okay and if your baby has already had cooked items that have egg in them, I would point that out to the doctor.

Everything I've read said that it is fine to give them any food except carrots until after six months and honey until after a year as long as it is a very small amount the first few days until you can make sure that they aren't allergic.

Research now says that if you wait to give foods to your children until after a year then you are risking a very picky eater. They don't acquire a taste for many foods unless you introduce them when the child is more willing to try foods. If you wait to long, then it is a battle to get them to try anything.

Just give a very small amount of the food once a day for a few days and watch. If there is no reaction then move on to a new food the next week. I have given all my kids scrambled eggs at six to eight months. Very small amount for about three days in a row and they were fine.

I was told by the doctors as well no eggs before a year. Eggs are a dairy. They also tell us that about milk. I found a website that explains egg allergens. They are the most common. Good luck.
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/eggs.htm

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/when-can-my-bab...

C. T.

Egg is a HUGE deal - Our daughter went into shock at 11 months old from eating a quarter of a scrambled egg, covered in hives head to toe, face and throat puffed out and she started turning blue - as with any new food, you never know. Better to be safe.

I gave my both my kids eggs and didnt have a problem. I would try it in small amount first.But I just gave the whloe egss I did not do yolks or whites.

J.,

I believe it is more of an issue if there is a family history of food allergies. You can also check the American Academy of Pediatrics website. I believe there was some recent research just completed on food allergies and when to start certain food items.

J.

if my son had eggs he would have died.

so. yes. i would say it is a big deal.

however my daughter is 6 mo and has had some traces in her baby food. whites are a more likely issue but my son is allergic to both. she's not allergic to anything.

if your child was nursed and has NO issues with food you ate, i would consider baked goods but not straight up.

Hi J.,
My daughter is 9.5 months and I give her small bits of my scrambled eggs sometimes. I think if there is no concern or history of allergies, you are okay. ??? I am not an expert, but I have read that babies can have eggs.

Are there any food or egg allergies in the family? If not, I would say she should be fine with yolks. I started both my kids on yolks around 8-9 months. Some resources say as early as 4 months is ok for the yolks. Yolks are great for mental development of babies. If it was my baby, I would start feeding her yolks. No whites until after a year though.

i don't see why you can't gerber sells a custard pudding. i have given all my children eggs before they were a year because of the simple fact that i was eating them so i let them taste it my kids have always ate whatevber i ate an dthey are all healthy teenagers who of course drive me mad like ant normal teen. so try a little if your scared of allergies just have a bottle of benadryl handy. good luck

Our Ped had said no Whites till 12 month but eggs are fine. I ate one egg a day when I was nursing. I intriduce white at 12 month and no issues.

If your daughter is doing fine and had no allergies it may be fine. But I will suggest it wont hurt to wait until 12 months.

Your girl if she likes egg will cover up on her own like mine she loves them.

V.

There is a reason they tell you to wait - because eggs are more likely than many other foods to cause allergies. You SHOULD worry about allergies, some can be very serious. The longer you wait to introduce the allergenic foods, the less the chance for allergies. But if you introduce too early, you can't undo it. So it is worth the wait. Egg whites are the ones that contain the protein, so that is the part that would cause the allergies. The yolk is safer, and most doctors say its OK to give at 9 months.

Our Pediatrician's office instructs "do not introduce eggs until 9-12 months old." However, I was given those guidelines one year ago -- so I don't know if things have changed.

Hi J.. I just had my daughters 9 month well visit on wednesday and my ped said egg yolks are perfectly fine just no whites. We have NO food allergies in either side of the family either, so I have given her food made with eggs just recently with no problems. I am going to hold off on the straight whites until a year only because I would hate 4 her 2 develop an egg allergy as eggs seem to be in a lot of food! My ped also did tell me new research shows there is no real correlation between waiting longer to introduce allergy prone foods and decreasing the chances of developing allergies. Meaning if a child is going to be allergic 2 a food they will be regardless of what age it is introduced. But he also said its easier to deal with an allergic reaction with a 1yr old rather when they are still so little. So decide what is best 4 u and your baby! Hope this helps! Good luck!!

Hi,

At my daughter's 9 month check up, our doctor said it was okay to start eggs. She said to make hard boiled first (I actually thought the whites should be tried first, so that's what I did- now I'm not sure if that's right.) Anyway, after giving her tiny pieces from a hard boiled egg a few times, we then tried a scrambled egg (white & yolk). She hasn't had any problems as a result of the eggs, although she only ate very small amounts of them. It's such a fun stage! Happy feeding!