How to Prevent Food Allergies in Babies

Introduce new foods to your baby gradually.

Unfortunately, your baby can inherit any food allergies that you or your spouse has. Having two parents with allergies will make it much more likely that your baby will develop allergies. Allergies occur when a baby's immune system becomes sensitized to a substance and begins to produce antibodies. This can even happen the very first time a baby tries something new. Allergic reactions can include hives, rash, difficulty breathing, runny nose, watering eyes, headache and vomiting. If you or your spouse has food allergies, there are things that you can do to prevent or lessen food allergies in your baby.

Instructions

1. Keep breastfeeding. Babies who are fed formula are more likely to develop allergies than breastfed babies. This is due to the fact that allergies to cow's milk are relatively common. Try to breastfeed for the first year of your baby's life. The later you introduce cow's milk into your baby's diet, the better.

2. Hold off on solid foods. Many doctors believe that the later babies are exposed to foods, the less likely it is for an allergic reaction to develop. It may be best to hold off until your baby is at least 6 months old, especially in a family with a history of allergies.

3. Introduce new foods gradually. It is important to introduce foods one at a time to your baby. This is particularly true if you or your spouse has food allergies. When you introduce a new food, give it to your baby every day for a week before introducing the next new food.

4. Give your baby foods that are less likely to cause allergies. Rice cereal is typically recommended as the first food to give to your baby because it rarely causes allergies. Oats and barley are usually given before wheat and corn.

Tips & Warnings

• Children often outgrow food allergies.

• Not every adverse reaction to food is an allergy. Some children have enzyme deficiencies.

• Most fruits and vegetables are unlikely to cause allergies. However, it is better to hold off on tomatoes and berries.

• Discuss any concerns that you have with your child's doctor.

• Allergies can also have behavioral symptoms such as moodiness.

• Some of the most common food allergies are triggered by peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, shellfish and wheat.

• If your baby has any type of adverse reaction to a new food, stop giving her the food immediately. Do not try giving her the food again for at least several weeks and after you have talked with her doctor.

• Foods that have a high risk for allergies, such as nuts and chocolate, should wait until your child is about 3 years old.

• It is possible for even a tiny amount of food to cause a severe reaction.

• Introducing foods too early may strain your baby's immature digestive system, which may produce reactions that are similar to allergies.

Resources

• Food Allergy Network
• Food Allergies in Babies