Presentation of your baby allergens

Many parents often wonder when the best time is to present their baby foods that may have a high risk of causing an allergic reaction.

“We know more and more that the introduction prior to these high allergens foods is beneficial and protective against the development of food allergies,” said Michael Endris, MD, pediatrician at OSF Healthcare.

Food allergies in infants have increased in recent years. In the United States, around 8% of children have a food allergy according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Who is at risk of reaction?

Any baby can have an allergic reaction to any food.

Babies with family history of food allergies, an earlier food allergy themselves or those who suffer from eczema can be more likely to develop food allergies. You can speak with your pediatrician about how to incorporate these foods safely into your baby’s diet.

If you have already discovered that your baby was allergic to a certain food, it may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to other foods.

“Infants at risk could have tests with their pediatrician or allergist to help determine how to securely integrate high allergenic food, such as peanuts. I still do not recommend eating peanut butter in the emergency service car park, “said Dr. Endris.

Current food allergies

There are more than 160 foods that cause allergic reactions to people.

However, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “The Big 9” are the most common food allergies. They include milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, trees, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame.

“These nine foods, and any ingredient which contains proteins derived from one or more of them, are designated as” main food allergens “, described the USDA.

Since these nine are the most common allergens, food labels must have a clear warning on any food which contains one of the Big 9.

When to initiate baby allergens

Talking about your baby’s pediatrician at the time of the best time is to start your baby on solids. Many babies are starting to take large steps around 4 to 6 months, especially being able to get up.

“Each child will be a little different, but generally in this range of 4 to 6 months, it’s a good time to present these foods.”

“It is then that we can start offering a variety of different foods rich in mash meat and high allergenic things,” said Dr. Endris.

How to introduce allergens

During the introduction of any new food – and especially high allergenic foods – it is good to keep things as simple as possible. If they have a reaction, you want to know exactly what food has triggered it.

Be patient. It can be messy. It may be useful to breastfeed or feed a little bottle, have a few small spoonfuls, then finish a bottle to make sure they don’t cry out. But stop when they seem full, like turning away or crying. Do not force eating.

Here are some other useful tips for introducing allergenic foods:

• Single ingredient puree are a good option
• Start with a food at a time
• Start with a small quantity
• Serve about three to four times a week
• Watch your baby carefully during the first hours after trying new food
• Facilitate easy -to -swallow food – puree, puree, softened (infant cereals and mash meats are excellent first foods)

Dr. Endris also recommends starting good eating habits early, like eating family together without screen time.

It’s a good idea to be sure that your child tolerates a few foods before trying high allergens. Then give a little taste of an allergenic food high at home. If this is tolerated, it can give growing amounts.

Here is how to introduce some of the foods of common allergens safely.

Milk

You can integrate whole milk into your baby’s routine around 12 months. However, they can be presented in Dairy earlier – at this brand of 4 to 6 months.

Try to present them with yogurt or using cooked milk in foods such as pancakes and scrambled eggs. In this way, they will obtain the introduction to the dairy allergen without having to drink a bottle of cow’s milk.

Eggs

Eggs are an excellent food to present your baby early. They are filled with proteins and are easy to chew (or gum). Babies can be introduced with scrambled eggs between 4 and 6 months.

When you prepare the eggs, be sure to cook them carefully and do not give your yellow colors. Start with scrambled or hard eggs. These are often softer and easier to eat for your baby.

Peanut butter

Because peanut butter is thick, it can be a risk of suffocation. Choose creamy peanut butter on Chunky. You can introduce peanut butter of approximately 4 to 6 months. When you start your baby on peanut butter, spread a very thin layer on a piece of toast or soft bread. You can also incorporate a small amount of peanut butter in baby cereals. Or even water the peanut butter and give it to your baby to lick a spoon a little.

Symptoms of food allergies for infants

Watch your baby during the first hours after trying a high allergen food for the first time. Some of the most common symptoms of a food allergy in an infant are rashes, hives or swelling of the lips, tongue or face. These usually appear a few minutes after eating.

In addition, you can notice:

• Eczema
• Lethargy or your baby is more sleepy
• Nasal farce
• Cough
• Itch
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing

If your baby has a severe reaction, including hives, swelling or difficulty breathing, immediately go to the emergency room.

Food allergy test for infants

If your baby has a minor reaction to a food, make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician. They will probably give you a reference to an allergist or another specialist. Or they will help you monitor their allergy.

The allerter can carry out tests on your baby, usually a type of exposure test, to see what your baby reacts. Blood tests can be carried out if there are history allergy or severe eczema. Skin bike tests or even oral food challenges can be done in the office of an aller -ist.

Treatment of infants allergies

Depending on the severity of your baby’s unfavorable food reaction, you can have different levels of treatment. If your baby has stomach problems, such as gas or diarrhea, your child’s pediatrician probably tells you to avoid serving your baby these foods.

If your child has already had an allergic reaction, follow your action plan for food allergies that your child’s pediatrician. Work with your child’s pediatrician to update his food allergies action plan every year.

For more serious reactions, your child can be prescribed an Epipen, which is an injection which contains epinephrine and is used in an emergency to open the airways. Some allergic reactions can be deadly, so it is important to take reactions seriously.

Some people see their reaction to the food of high allergens change throughout their lives, while others simply exceed their food allergies.

Last update: August 20, 2024