How to Safely Introduce Common Food Allergens to Your Baby
Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy. A balanced diet is vital for babies to get the vitamins and minerals they need. It’s natural to worry about food allergies showing up in the process. However, these possibilities shouldn’t scare you from introducing them to a world of good food. You must take the right precautions to acquaint them with one another safely.
Food Allergies in Babies
Allergies are quite common among babies, from seasonal to indoor and pet sensitivities. They are also prone to food allergies. Peanuts are the leading allergen among babies. Other common high-risk allergenic infant options are cow’s milk, eggs, and fish. High risk does not mean they will automatically react to the options on the list.
There are cases where food allergens do not trigger a reaction. Some parents may find their toddlers allergic to a certain type, while others are sensitive to multiple ones. Learning whether your baby is sensitive to certain foods can help you prepare for the future.
After all, caring for a kid with allergies can have many challenges. It costs families about $25 billion annually in terms of food expenses. You need to seek affordable substitutes and ensure that cross-contamination doesn’t happen in the future to prevent attacks.
Introducing Common Food
You want to introduce common food allergens to widen their nutritional options in the future. However, serving them all on a dinner plate isn’t the ideal solution. These processes require love and attention to detail to ensure your child’s safety.
Consider the Timeline
It takes a while to feed your baby solids, and you should also be patient before giving them certain food allergens. Every parent usually takes their time, introducing them when the baby is six to twelve months old. For example, you can introduce peanuts at six months of age. However, as these are choking hazards, you must be mindful of serving them. Smooth peanut butter is a good way to familiarize them with the ingredients.
Pick a Certain Food
Pick one type of food allergen to have your baby try out, spacing them out throughout different meals in a month. It may be overwhelming for their body to have so much exposure, and it’s also harder to narrow down what’s causing the allergic reaction if it shows up.
Gauge whether your baby is ready for solid food allergens. You may also want to look at your own medical history. Allergies may be passed down genetically — if you have a nut allergy, look for an alternative option first.
Granted, not all allergies are hereditary. The environment and other conditions also play a big part in it. The main thing babies inherit from their parents is the likelihood of getting allergies rather than the allergy itself.
Start with Small Amounts
You should always introduce common food allergens in small amounts. For example, a sip of cow’s milk is much better than giving them a bottle. It allows you to gauge whether they’re sensitive to a certain ingredient.
Gradual quantities also ensure the allergic reaction is not as severe if it occurs. If it doesn’t seem to trigger any rashes, start to give bigger amounts and offer it more frequently, especially if they seem enthusiastic about eating it.
Watch Out for Allergic Reactions
As you start to introduce more common food allergens, remember to look out for any immediate changes in your body. Smaller quantities will entail a mild allergic reaction unless highly sensitive. Common symptoms include swelling in the lips and face, as well as hives and vomiting. Check for any coughs or sneezes, too.
Have a Varied Diet
Introducing common food allergens doesn’t mean you’ll solely feed them these options. You should still offer them a variety of low- to no-risk options to ensure they have a varied and balanced diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are imperative for growing babies. Add grains into the mix for fiber.
Consult an Allergist
Bring your baby to an allergist if common allergens trigger a reaction. They could recommend a diet to isolate food suspected to trigger allergies. You can also ask questions about building up your kid’s tolerance to these common food allergens or proven substitutes to continue giving them sustenance.
Prioritize Your Baby’s Safety
Worrying about how to introduce common food allergens to your baby is parental instinct and love at its finest. However, you still need to overcome these fears and give them the sustenance they need. Present these new dietary additions while prioritizing your baby’s safety with the tips above.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Barnes is Editor-in-Chief at Body + Mind
Photo by Karolina Kaboompics
