Food Allergies For Babies

Starting to feed a baby solid foods is an exciting milestone for parents. However, it comes with a lot of questions and concerns, especially about food allergies. What foods are most likely to cause allergies in babies? How do you avoid them?

Emerging research has shown that introducing multiple foods together is safe, and may help the immune system have a lower risk of developing food allergies, but more studies are needed. Check with your doctor for what’s best for your baby.

Start Gradually to Identify Any Food Allergies

If you’re trying to figure out whether your baby has a food allergy, there are certain things you can do to help narrow down the possibilities. A doctor might recommend introducing just one new food per week for a few weeks, and then slowly increasing the number of items offered. This way, you’ll have a better idea about what caused the reaction.

The best thing to do is start off slowly with a variety of different foods. Once you’ve identified the culprit, you can begin eliminating the offending food from the diet. You don’t want to completely cut out everything else your baby eats, however, since you don’t know how sensitive he or she actually is to those foods.

Food Allergy Symptoms to Watch for in Your Baby

If you suspect your child has a food allergy, look for signs like hives; itchy skin; vomiting; diarrhea; trouble breathing; swelling around the mouth, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, or neck; wheezing; and unconsciousness. These are among the most common allergic reactions to foods, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. However, there are many different types of allergies, including those to peanuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, tree nuts, beef, chicken, pork, and others. They can occur at any age, but babies and young children are especially vulnerable because their immune systems aren’t fully developed.

Severe Food Allergy Symptoms: When to Call 911

If you are feeding your child food containing peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, gluten, or sesame seeds, it is best to keep him away from those foods. In fact, some people even avoid contact with children who are known to be allergic to certain foods. However, there are times when a severe allergic reaction occurs without warning. Here are some signs that indicate that your child needs medical attention:

• Your child experiences difficulty breathing/wheezing

• He has swollen lips or tongue

• His skin becomes red, hot, and painful

• He has nausea and vomiting

• He has diarrhea

• He cannot swallow

Protecting Baby Against Food Allergies: Easy Does It

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published new guidelines regarding food allergies in infants. These guidelines recommend introducing solid foods early in life, starting around four to six months old. This change is based on research showing that it helps babies develop healthy immune systems and prevents them from being allergic to certain foods.

In fact, studies show that children who start eating solids earlier are much less likely to suffer from allergies to peanuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, cow’s milk, soy, tree nuts, wheat, gluten, sesame seeds, mustard, celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, and citrus fruits.

According to the AAP, there are three ways to introduce solid foods:

1.) Start with pureed vegetables and fruit. Pureeing allows your child to experience textures and flavors without the risk of choking.

2.) Add mashed banana or avocado to rice cereal.

3.) Use small amounts of yogurt mixed into plain water.

Remember that breast milk or formula contains protein fragments that break down during digestion. If your baby already eats meat or cheese, he won’t need additional protein sources. But if you’re planning to give him yogurt, it’s important to remember that some brands contain added sugar. Check labels carefully.