State of the Science

For years, many parents were advised to wait before introducing foods such as eggs. More recently, the guidance has shifted: research suggests that introducing well-cooked egg once a baby is ready for solid foods, typically around 6 months, and continuing to offer it regularly may help reduce the likelihood of an egg allergy. A new study followed what happened after infant-feeding recommendations changed. Among more than 7,000 babies, the typical age of egg introduction moved from about 8 months to 6 months. During that same period, the rate of egg allergy at age one fell from 9.2% to 7.6%. The difference was even more notable among babies with eczema, who have a higher risk of developing food allergies: rates declined from approximately 35% to 22%. Private Medical Miami’s Dr. Lauren Kagan explains what the latest research means for families, how to introduce eggs safely, and what parents should know if a reaction occurs.