When Can My Baby Eat Eggs?
Egg Allergy Information

Egg allergies can be severe and are most common in infants under 12 months of age. This page helps you decide when to include egg in your baby's diet.

NOTE: The information presented here is meant as a guide and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your child's doctor if you suspect any allergic reaction in your baby and before introducing any new foods.

What is an egg allergy?

Egg allergy in baby occurs when his body mistakenly treats the protein in egg as a harmful substance (see our main allergies page for general allergy information, including risk factors and prevention tips).

Eggs are one of the most common causes of food allergy and those with an allergy to eggs tend to react to the proteins in the egg white - ovalbumin and ovomucoid. Some children, however, are allergic to the yolk protein, although this is far less common.

Many children outgrow their allergy to eggs by the age of 5.

What are the symptoms of egg allergy in baby?

Signs of an allergic reaction to eggs tend to appear within minutes, although it can take up to a few hours for symptoms to show.

Signs to look for include

hives
flushing
itching/rash around mouth, sometimes spreading to the rest of the body
facial swelling
tummy pain
diarrhea
nausea
vomiting
runny nose
wheezing
difficulty breathing
rapid heartbeat
low blood pressure

Occasionally, an egg allergy in baby can lead to allergic shock, a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Egg allergy can only be diagnosed by your baby's doctor or allergist.

So when can I give my baby eggs?

Because of the fact that many children tend to be allergic to egg whites, doctors advise that you avoid egg whites altogether for the first year. If there is a family history of food allergy, then it might be worth excluding egg whites from your baby's diet for the first 2 years.

Well cooked egg yolk, however, can be given to your baby from 6 months of age - although you may want to wait on egg yolk, too, if there is a family history of allergy. The easiest way to separate the yolk from the white is to hard boil the egg, then simply remove the yolk. Alternatively, you can crack a raw egg into two, then tip the yolk back and forth between the shell halves, allowing the white to drain into a cup. However, some traces of egg white may remain and even tiny traces can lead to a severe reaction in an allergic baby.

Remember, always discuss the introduction of eggs with your child's doctor. And if your baby has been diagnosed with an egg allergy, then you should avoid eggs altogether.

Is it OK to give my baby egg white if it is cooked?

Egg whites are allergenic whether cooked or raw, although the allergenicity of egg yolk is reduced by cooking. Some pediatricians will say that it is OK to use whole eggs when baking for your baby, however - so you should seek the advice of your child's doctor if you wish to use whole eggs in your recipes before one year of age.

Ingredients derived from eggs

If your baby is diagnosed with an egg allergy, or if you do not wish to give your baby any egg products during his first year, then you need to avoid the following ingredients -

dried eggs
egg white solids
egg solids
powdered eggs
albumin/albumen
conalbumin
globulin
livetin
lysozyme
ovalactohydrolyze proteins
ovomacroglobulin
ovoglobulin
ovalbumin
ovomucin
ovomucoid
ovo transferrin
ovovitella
ovovitellin
silici albuminate
Simplesse (a fat substitute)
vitelin

These products often contain eggs, or egg derivatives -

baked goods
baking mixes
fried or battered foods
chocolate
creamy spreads/dressings
lecithin
custard, ice cream, dessert mixes
processed meats
French toast, waffles, pancakes
pasta
souffle or quiche
soups

Also, many commercial baby foods contain egg ingredients... another good reason to make food for your baby yourself!

Egg substitutes when cooking for baby

Commercial egg substitutes are often unsuitable for use when cooking for a baby with an egg allergy, as they may actually contain egg ingredients!

The following are safe substitutes for egg, but work best in recipes where only one or two eggs are required. They also produce quite a moist result and are good for baked foods such as muffins.

1 1/2 tbsp oil + 1tsp baking powder
1tsp baking powder + 1tbsp water + 1tbsp vinegar
1tsp yeast, dissolved in 2fl oz warm water
1/2 large, mashed banana
1tbsp flax seed substitute (simply mix 2 1/2oz of ground flax seeds into 8fl oz water. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. Cool, then place in a refrigerator).

Be aware that some baking powders may contain egg ingredients.

Egg free teething biscuits

My baby has an egg allergy - can he eat duck eggs?

No. The proteins in eggs from birds other than hens are the same as those in hens' eggs - and will cause the same allergic reaction.

If my baby is allergic to eggs, should he avoid chicken, too?

Not necessarily, although you should check with a doctor before introducing chicken. It is very rare for a baby's antibodies to find any similarity between the protein in chicken and eggs, but it does happen occasionally and can cause a reaction.

If your baby has an allergy to eggs, discuss his nutitional needs with a dietician...

Eggs contain protein, iron, folate, zinc and vitamin B12 - valuable nutrients which need to be incorporated into baby's diet in other ways. Make sure that baby's diet includes plenty of foods from these groups -

meat
poultry
fish
legumes
cheese
green leafy vegetables
grains

SPECIAL NOTE: Babies allergic to eggs can be VERY sensitive to them and can react when eggs are cooked in the same room. They can also react if touched by someone who has been handling raw eggs, even after the hands are washed. Discuss suitable precautions with your child's doctor.