It's not too trouble to cook 燕窩. Cattylui has posted the method already.
1) Soak it over night with more water because the size of 燕窩 will expand.
2) Pick the impurities if you see some.
3) 隔水燉 with 70-80% full of water for 45-60 mins. <金絲燕 needs more time because the texture is harder. 官燕 needs less time. Where the 燕窩 comes from may affect the cooking time as well, you can ask the salesperson.>
4) You can make more with no taste, then just put a spoon full to any dessert or soup.
5) If you want to make 冰糖燕窩 for one time, add 冰糖 in the last 5-10 minutes.
6) I won't suggest to make soup with 燕窩 although real 燕窩 won't dissolve, but 燕窩 will mix with all other 材料. It's hard to pick the 燕窩 after.
Ready to eat 燕窩 is more expensive, but convenience. However, you have to read the label carefully or go to buy from the well-brands...because sometimes you have no idea what kind of 燕窩 it is and how many % of 燕窩 inside the bottle.
燕窩 has lot of protein which is good for baby growth.