Quote from Penny McCarthy on November 5, 2024, 3:59 pm

Food allergies are very common in the US, with an estimated 4 million¹ children suffering from allergies such as milk, eggs and peanuts.

Based on new findings from Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP), it is now advised to introduce these allergens to babies and toddlers early to reduce their risk of developing allergies later on, with peanut allergies being reduced by almost 80%².

This is a pivot from decades of previous recommendations which advised parents not to expose their children with the thought that limited exposure would prevent the development of allergies³.

For the parents of young children moving onto solid foods, the experts at Allergy Insider have collated six tips for introducing allergens. The following tips have been medically reviewed by experts at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

How do you introduce children to food allergens?

1. Start with less allergenic foods

It is advised to restrict food introduction to one new food every three to five days, based on the infant's developmental readiness to eat solid foods, and starting with less allergenic foods can ease them into eating solid foods.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), these less allergenic foods typically include fruits (apples, pears, and bananas), vegetables (sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots), and cereal grains (rice or oat cereal).

2. Introduce more common food allergens gradually 

After less-allergenic foods have been tolerated, the AAAAI then recommends adding in eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Again, introduce one food at a time over three to five days so you can easily identify any foods that cause reactions.

3. Use single-ingredient foods, not multiple-ingredient combinations 

To help identify the causes of any potential reactions, offer allergenic foods individually rather than within a recipe or purchased product. For example, introduce small pieces of cooked egg instead of egg within a baked product full of other ingredients. You can, however, introduce allergenic food along with fruits and vegetables that your baby has already tolerated.

4. Consider choking hazards when selecting food textures 

The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) notes that all baby foods should be the right size and texture for the child’s stage of development. For example, instead of whole nuts and nut pieces, opt for smooth nut spreads or nut flours to help prevent choking.

5. Keep previously introduced allergenic foods on the menu 

If the child doesn’t have any reactions to an allergenic food, continue to include it in their regular diet at least three times a week. While experts haven’t identified a firm deadline to stop this introduction schedule, it’s important to keep food allergens as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet to help maintain the child’s allergen tolerance levels.

6. Introduce allergenic foods at home and in the morning

It’s critical to monitor babies and children for food allergy symptoms after consumption, and the ASCIA recommends you perform initial food introductions when you can most easily monitor and respond if necessary. An ideal time is shortly after the child wakes up in the morning, and at home is preferred.

When introducing allergens to children, it is important to remember that there are some exceptions. If an older sibling has an allergy to peanuts, the younger sibling is highly likely to also be allergic, so this should be avoided until checked by a doctor. Similarly, if the child experiences severe eczema or dermatitis, they should be seen by a doctor before being given allergenic foods.

In the case of allergies like peanuts, early tests may be recommended. A simple test called a specific IgE blood test along with a symptom history and physical exam may help your healthcare provider diagnose the child’s allergies.

Kaleigh McMordie, family nutritionist and baby-led weaning expert says: “There is so much fear around introducing allergens to babies, but it's one of the most important things we can do as parents. It can be confusing because the guidelines have changed, but don't let fear stop you from introducing allergens into your baby's diet at a young age. Many of these foods are incredibly nutritious and support healthy growth and development.”

For more information on how to introduce allergens into your child's diet, head to this blog post where you will find advice on symptoms and allergy prevention.