Food Allergy Prevention

As soon as your baby is showing signs that they are ready to try solids, (by sitting up unassisted, grabbing at food and showing an overall interest in the foods you are eating) it is recommended to offer them a try. Many parents have varying preferences on what foods they will offer first as they start to introduce solids. As you plan out what foods you will try, be sure to include common food allergens on that list! If the thought of introducing common food allergens early on has you feeling a little hesitant, you are not alone. Rest assured however that recent research has shown that once your baby has tried a few foods with no signs of an allergic reaction, it is best to go ahead and introduce some foods that commonly cause allergies as it helps to prevent your little one from experiencing a reaction to them and even developing an allergy down the road! Here are some tips for including these foods into your little one's diet.

While many first foods are typically carrots, sweet potato, banana and avocado, go ahead and include some of the most common food allergens, such as eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat and fish in your baby's diet. The ways in which you prepare and offer these food items to your little one are up to you! If you follow Baby Led Weaning, you could incorporate some of these foods and read about the process here: Baby Led Weaning: What It Is & How To Do It - Organicbabyfood.shop If you choose to serve up purees, simply add one of these food items to a food processor with some formula or breastmilk and blend until desired consistency is reached. For foods such as nuts and tree nuts that pose a choking hazard, you could opt for a powder version by SpoonfulOne . This is a great way to safely expose your baby to common allergens through a powdered version. 

Whenever you are offering your baby a food that is a common allergen, be sure to do so in an environment where you can keep an eye on them and watch for signs of a reaction. It is typically best to try this while at home opposed to being out and about or at a restaurant.  Also, be sure to space out the introductions of common allergen items by a day or two to ensure they are not having a reaction to one before offering another. 

Likewise, if you have a little one who is showing sensitivities to common allergens in their formula such as dairy, be sure to check out the following formula options as an alternative. Many babies with a sensitivity to dairy experience symptoms such as rashes, eczema and an upset tummy, but these formulas have been shown to improve those symptoms:

• HiPP HA
• Holle A2
• Goat Milk Formula

Interested in learning more about offering solids to your little one along with formulas that are made especially for dietary sensitivities!? You can do so by browsing the posts below: