When is the best time to start feeding eggs to babies?
First Published | Sep 1, 2020, 4:25 PM ISTMany new mothers may be wondering when it is safe to feed their toddlers. We have brought you expert advice, read on
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Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrition. These are easy for parents to prepare and for kids to chew. But the things to be noted is that eggs are also among the top food allergens in kids.
According to the current feeding guidelines, there is no reason not to feed your kids eggs as soon as they are ready to chew solid food, which is typically between 4 and 6 months.
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It's best to introduce your kids to potentially allergic foods as early as possible because delaying the introduction, beyond 6 months of age may actually increase the potential of developing an allergy later in childhood.
Though according to older studies, experts advised parents to wait until the age of 2 to introduce eggs to kids. But new studies have no evidence for this recommendation. In fact, it is believed introducing a variety of foods to your baby once it is ready to eat solids is the best way to prevent food allergies.
Another outdated advice was about giving only egg yolks to kids as the yolk doesn't have allergens. The recommendation is no longer thought to be necessary.
If your baby is ready to eat solid food, it is ready for eggs as well. When your baby can sit in the high chair and is able to hold hisher head up, it is time for solid foods.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should introduce one new food at a time to your baby and wait for two-three days before introducing another new food.
In these two-three days, you can wait and watch for any allergies. Most parents start with cereals, then pureed fruits and veggies and protein (eggs).
Eggs are full of protein, iron and choline, thus being a healthy addition to your baby's diet. Just make sure to cook the eggs properly to prevent any Salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. It's best to hard boil the egg and then mash it. You can add the mashed eggs to breast milk or infants formula.
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