How to introduce allergens to your baby

Lauren Goldman

2 months ago

Many parents believe that babies shouldn’t be exposed to allergens like eggs, nuts or shellfish and, in the past, this was the advice commonly issued by medical professionals. However, despite this precaution, food allergies have been on the rise among children, leading professionals to reassess this advice. In fact, recent research offers some relief: it has now been shown that early exposure to common allergens could actually prevent food sensitivities and allergies later in life.

In Weaning Sense, the co-authors – occupational therapist Meg Faure and paediatric dietitian Kath Megaw – specify that peanut butter should be introduced early on, and then be quickly followed by the introduction of other proteins.

What is an allergen?

But, first, let’s look at what we mean when we talk about “allergens”. Safe Food defines an allergen as “any normally harmless substance that causes an immediate allergic reaction in a susceptible person”. Weaning Sense says the foods that cause 90 per cent of allergic reactions in South Africa are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soya. That’s not to say your child will have an adverse reaction to these products, but simply that the risk is slightly higher that they could be allergic to one or more of these products.

How to safely introduce allergens

Meg and Kath offer the following advice when it comes to introducing allergens:

Start with fruit, vegetables, and rice or oat cereal when you first introduce your baby to solid food – in other words, foods that aren’t high risk for an allergic reaction.
Eggs can be introduced when your child is between four and six months old – so as soon as your baby has been introduced to solids. Babies who eat eggs at such a young age appear to have a lower risk of egg allergy than those introduced at a later stage.
Wheat can also be introduced in the early months as studies have found that five year olds who weren’t fed wheat until after they were six months old had a higher rate of wheat allergy.
Peanuts can be introduced in the form of peanut butter. Research shows that children who aren’t introduced to peanuts have a much higher rate of peanut allergy. However, if your baby has a sibling with a peanut allergy, or if your baby has displayed signs of an egg allergy, speak to your medical professional before introducing peanuts as your child could be at a higher risk for a peanut allergy. Also note that nuts are a choking hazard, so nut butters are a safer way to introduce these foods – just be sure you smear the butter very lightly on a slice of toast or cracker as thick globs of butter could also be a choking risk.
Fish should be introduced before nine months, as it reduces the risk of eczema at one year of age.
Cow’s milk can be offered in the form of cheese or yoghurt or in baked goods before your child turns one, but shouldn’t replace formula or breastmilk until after your child’s first birthday.
Introduce allergens at home, rather than at daycare or in a restaurant. This way you can be sure that no other allergens have been consumed at the same time.
Offer only one allergen over a three-day period and repeat the exposure of the allergen during that time. If your baby doesn’t have an adverse reaction, you can introduce another allergen.

ALSO READ: What is the COLLAB approach to weaning?

What does an allergic reaction look like and what should you do if you suspect an allergy?

Solid Starts recommends keeping an eye out for the following symptoms after introducing an allergen:

Itchy or runny nose, or sneezing
Itchy mouth
Isolated hives and mild itching
Mild nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort

Only one of these symptoms indicates a mild reaction; if more symptoms are present, your child’s reaction is more severe.

Note that acidic foods such as strawberries and tomatoes could cause a skin irritation around the mouth. This is harmless and isn’t considered a sign of an allergy but occurs because babies’ skins are still very sensitive.

A severe reaction could cause the following signs: