With Easter coming up fast (April 12) you may be wondering about the safety of eggs for your tot. Following are some tips...
Can my baby eat eggs - yolks, whites, and all?: Yup. Eggs are a healthy food for babies. Some older research showed that babies might be more prone to food allergies if exposed to both yolks and whites but current research says that babies can eat the whole darn egg. Some babies do have
an allergic reaction to eggs when they're young, but most outgrow this by age five. Watch for signs of allergic reactions such as hives, eczema, flushing, swelling, belly pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, itching around the mouth, runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, or heart problems. If your baby has a severe allergic reaction call 911. If you see one of the less serious signs of an allergy, call your pediatrician right away and don't allow your baby any more eggs.
How should I serve eggs to my baby?: Babies from about 6 months on can have eggs. You can scramble them super soft at first and serve tiny bites. As your baby learns to deal with textured foods you can serve chopped hard boiled eggs. Make sure there are no small pieces of shell left! Learn how to
prepare finger foods for your baby.
Can babies have hard boiled Easter eggs that are dyed?: Most Easter egg dyes are non-toxic; f you're not sure, read the dye package. This means if a little dye seeps through the egg shell, it's not going to harm your baby. Babies should not, however, be left alone with a hard boiled egg because they may choke on the shell.
Are eggs too high in cholesterol for my baby?: Not really. Babies aren't like adults. Their bodies
need more fat than our adult bodies because fats help to build healthy brains. Most research notes that an egg a day is just fine for your baby.
Egg safety: Eggs cannot be left out sitting around for too long. If you have an egg hunt make sure the eggs make it back to the fridge within a couple of hours or toss them.
See a primer for Easter egg prep and safety.
Stay tuned because this week we'll look at Easter basket safety for babies and some ideas for baby-friendly Easter gifts.
