Allergen guide

🥚 Introducing Egg to Your Baby: When and How

Egg can be introduced from around 6 months, starting with a small amount of well-cooked egg offered earlier in the day. Hen's eggs with the British Lion stamp can also be served soft or runny.

When to introduce egg

Egg is a great early food and can be offered from around 6 months, alongside the other foods your baby is already enjoying. There is no benefit in holding it back, and offering it in the first year is a good idea. Hen's eggs with the British Lion stamp are safe for babies to eat soft or runny. Other eggs, such as duck or quail, should be cooked until the white and yolk are solid. If your baby has severe eczema or already has a food allergy, speak to your GP or health visitor before you start.

How to start

Choose a calm day at home when your baby is well
Offer egg earlier in the day so you can keep an eye on them afterwards
Begin with a small amount, such as a teaspoon of mashed hard-boiled egg
Introduce egg on its own day, without other new foods
If it goes well, offer a little more over the following days

First ways to offer it

Hard-boiled egg mashed with a little yoghurt or breast milk
Strips of plain omelette, cooked through
Scrambled egg stirred into soft vegetables
Mini egg and vegetable muffins, cooked until firm

Keep it going

Once egg is going well, aim to offer it at least once or twice a week. Scrambled egg for breakfast, a slice of omelette at lunch or egg in baking all count. Keeping egg in the mix regularly helps your baby stay comfortable with it.

Signs of a mild reaction

A red, blotchy or raised itchy rash, often around the mouth or on the face
Mild swelling of the lips, face or around the eyes
Itchy or red skin
A runny or blocked nose, sneezing or watery eyes
Being sick, tummy ache or diarrhoea

If you notice mild signs, stop offering the food and speak to your doctor or health visitor before trying again.

Signs of a severe reaction

Swelling of the tongue or throat
Trouble breathing, or noisy, fast or hard breathing
Wheezing, or a cough that will not stop
A hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing
Becoming pale and floppy, or suddenly very sleepy
Collapse, or not responding to you

Call 999 straight away and say you think your baby is having a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If your baby has been given an adrenaline auto-injector, use it now. Do not wait to see if it settles. If you only see mild signs, stop offering the food and speak to your GP or health visitor before trying it again.

Where egg can hide

Fresh pasta and egg noodles
Cakes, brioche and some breads
Mayonnaise and creamy dressings
Custard and some ice creams
Pancakes, waffles and batter
Glazes on pastry and baked goods

Foods in our database that contain it

🥚EggFrom 6 months · Egg 🥚Quail eggFrom 6 months · Egg 🍜Egg noodlesFrom 6 months · Egg · Gluten 🥚MayonnaiseFrom 6 months · Egg · Mustard 🍮CustardFrom 6 months · Milk · Egg 🍞BriocheFrom 6 months · Gluten · Egg · Milk 🍞Banana breadFrom 6 months · Gluten · Egg · Milk 🍨Ice creamFrom 12 months · Milk · Egg

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Questions parents ask

Can my baby have a runny egg?

Yes, as long as it is a hen's egg with the British Lion stamp. Eggs without the stamp, and duck, goose or quail eggs, should be cooked until fully set.

My baby only reacted to raw egg in cake mix. Is that the same?

Raw or lightly cooked egg can be harder for some babies to tolerate than well-cooked egg. If you noticed a reaction, pause egg and speak to your GP or health visitor before offering it again.

Should I wait until my baby is older if allergies run in the family?

Waiting does not seem to help. If your baby has severe eczema or a known food allergy, have a chat with your GP or health visitor first, then introduce egg with their guidance.

Other allergens

🥛Milk🥜Peanut🌰Tree nuts🥯Sesame🐟Fish🦐Crustaceans🦑Molluscs🌾Gluten🫛Soya🌭Mustard🥬Celery🫘Lupin🍇Sulphites

Sources

OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).