When to Introduce Eggs to Babies
Introduce cooked eggs to your baby around 6 months of age, but not before 4 months, when the infant shows developmental readiness including good head control and ability to sit with support. 1, 2
Timing Based on Risk Level
Standard Risk Infants (No Eczema or Food Allergies)
- Introduce cooked eggs at approximately 6 months of age at home without any specialist evaluation or pre-testing 2
- The window is 4-6 months, but 6 months is the preferred target age 1, 2
- Never introduce eggs before 4 months of age 1, 2
High-Risk Infants (Severe Eczema or Existing Egg Allergy)
- Introduce eggs between 4-6 months after evaluation by an allergist 2
- This evaluation may include skin prick testing or specific IgE measurement before introduction 2
- The 2017 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases guidelines specifically recommend early introduction for infants with early-onset eczema and/or existing hen's egg allergy 1
Mild-to-Moderate Eczema
- Introduce eggs around 6 months at home without specialist evaluation 2
- No pre-introduction testing is required for this group 2
Critical Implementation Details
Form of Egg Matters
- Start with cooked egg (not egg baked into goods like cakes or cookies) 2
- Research shows that first exposure as cooked egg at 4-6 months reduces egg allergy risk compared to first exposure as egg in baked goods (odds ratio 0.2) 3
- The 2016 Enquiring About Tolerance study demonstrated benefits specifically with cooked egg 1
Developmental Readiness Markers Required
Before introducing eggs, ensure the infant demonstrates: 2
- Good head control
- Ability to sit with support
- Disappearance of tongue extrusion reflex
After Successful Introduction
- Once eggs are successfully introduced, they must be consumed regularly—at least weekly—as part of the infant's usual diet 2
- This regular consumption is essential to reduce the risk of sensitization and allergy development 2
The Evidence Behind Early Introduction
The recommendation for early egg introduction represents a complete reversal from older guidelines that advocated delayed introduction. This change is based on: 1
- The 2016 Enquiring About Tolerance study showed benefits of early introduction of the 6 most common childhood food allergens, including hen's egg 1
- A 2017 randomized trial found that introducing whole-egg powder between 4-6 months reduced egg white sensitization at 12 months (11% vs 20% in placebo group, odds ratio 0.46) 4
- A 2017 Japanese trial (PETIT) demonstrated that stepwise egg introduction starting at 6 months reduced egg allergy at 12 months (8% vs 38% in placebo group, risk ratio 0.221) 5
- A 2010 population-based study found that introducing egg after 12 months increased egg allergy risk 3.4-fold compared to introduction at 4-6 months 3
Current Consensus Guidelines
The 2021 consensus approach endorsed by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommends introduction of cooked egg at around 6 months for all infants irrespective of risk, but not before 4 months of life, at home when developmentally ready. 1
The 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report concluded there is no evidence that delaying introduction of allergenic foods, including eggs, beyond 4-6 months prevents food allergy. 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not delay egg introduction beyond 6 months thinking you're preventing allergy—this actually increases allergy risk 1, 3
- Do not introduce eggs before 4 months even if the infant seems ready, as the gastrointestinal and immune systems are not sufficiently mature 1, 2
- Do not start with egg in baked goods (like muffins or cakes) as the first exposure—use cooked egg instead 2, 3
- Do not avoid eggs during pregnancy or breastfeeding for allergy prevention purposes—this is not recommended and provides no benefit 1, 2