Chicken Egg — starting solids

Overview

Egg is a priority allergen. Once solids are started (typically around 6 months), there is no evidence that delaying egg prevents allergy. Offer well-cooked egg as a single new food. If your baby has severe eczema or a prior immediate food allergy, talk with a clinician before introducing highly allergenic foods.

Preparation

Serve only well-cooked egg (for example, scrambled until firm or hard-boiled and mashed or finely chopped). Do not offer raw or runny egg. Use soft textures suited to your baby’s skills and always supervise eating.

Three-step introduction

Step 1: First tiny taste

Offer a small taste of well-cooked mashed or finely chopped egg. Watch for concerning symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or breathing trouble, and seek urgent care if those occur.

Step 2: Larger offer

If the first taste was tolerated, gradually offer a larger amount of the same well-cooked egg preparation at a later feed.

Step 3: Include regularly

If tolerated, keep well-cooked egg in the diet routinely as part of complementary feeding.

FAQ

When are babies usually ready for solid foods?

Complementary foods are typically introduced around 6 months of age, when the baby shows developmental readiness (for example, sitting with support, good head control, and swallowing food rather than pushing it out). Introducing solids before 4 months is not recommended.

Do I need to introduce foods in a certain order?

For most children, there is no required order for first foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats and other proteins, and other food groups can all be part of complementary feeding around 6 months.

When can egg be introduced?

Once your baby is ready for solid foods (typically around 6 months), there is no evidence that delaying common allergens such as egg prevents allergy. Offer well-cooked egg in textures suited to infants.

How should I prepare egg for a baby?

Serve egg only when well cooked (for example, scrambled until firm or hard-boiled and mashed). Start with small tastes; if tolerated, gradually increase the amount. Always supervise eating.

What if my baby has severe eczema or a prior food allergy?

If your baby has severe, persistent eczema or had an immediate allergic reaction to a food — especially a highly allergenic food — talk with your child’s pediatrician about how and when to introduce highly allergenic complementary foods such as egg.