When to introduce eggs to baby?
1/ Not all eggs are equal
Even though at first glance all eggs look somewhat similar, it's important to know that appearances can be deceiving when it comes to eggs. As you probably know, all eggs are marked; simply refer to this marking to identify which eggs you're dealing with.
- Free-range hens fed a minimum of 90% organic feed. > That's a big YES!
- Free-range chickens. > That's good, but could be better.
- free-range chickens, in other words indoors, intensively raised (but without cages) > L
- Chickens raised in cages or battery cages (who never see daylight) > We say no to that!
It won't surprise you to learn that hens that roam freely in meadows and eat organic feed are healthier! If you can, also prioritize local producers: there are surely category 0 eggs laid near you. And if not, opt for French eggs: the "FR" designation should appear on the shell.
2/ Eggs are a source of protein for babies (but not only!)
You might almost be tempted to say, "He who eats an egg, eats an ox!" Eggs are such a champion when it comes to protein! A large egg contains an average of 6 grams (for comparison, a 100-gram steak contains an average of 25 grams of protein). And as good news never comes alone, egg proteins contain essential amino acids for your babies' growth. Hidden beneath the shell are also vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. In short, eggs are a superfood!
To learn more about introducing protein into your baby's diet, click here .
3/ Babies can eat eggs from 6 months old
Contrary to what some might think, eggs can be introduced at the beginning of weaning, around 6 or 7 months. To start, you can focus on the yolk alone (as it's the most nutrient-rich part): first half a cooked and mashed yolk, then a whole yolk between 9 and 12 months. Once your baby turns one, you can certainly offer them half a whole cooked egg (including the white) per day. Whether cooked, hard-boiled, or in an omelet, eggs can therefore be a regular part of a toddler's diet. Just make sure they are thoroughly cooked and offer them alternately with meat or fish.
4/ The eggs should not be washed
As nature would have it, eggs are naturally covered with a protective film. Rinsing them removes the shell cuticle that protects the contents from microbes. The moral of the story? Don't clean them, but store them properly! Eggs can be kept for 28 days as long as they are left undisturbed in their carton, away from light, in a cool, dry place (avoid excessive temperatures and sudden temperature changes). So… fridge or no fridge? Actually, it all depends on your habits… But if you were paying attention the last time you went grocery shopping, you probably noticed that eggs are never stored in the refrigerated section of the store ;)
5/ There is a reliable method to tell if an egg is fresh
To tell if an egg is fresh or not, you can rely on a good old-fashioned trick: the dip test! Fill a bowl or saucepan with cold water and gently lower the egg into it. If it floats and stays on the surface, there's no question: throw that egg away immediately! On the other hand, if the egg sinks and stays at the bottom, then everything's fine! That egg is fresh and you can give it to your baby without any problem.
